Is the prevalence of refractory celiac disease on the rise?

Christopher Hammerle, MD, and Sheila Crowe, MD, from the University of Virginia of Charlottesville, gave a presentation of their recent findings on a retrospective analysis of refractory celiac disease at the 75th Annual American College of Gastroenterology meeting in San Antonio. Results of the study, reported in Medpage Today, suggest that an increasing number of celiac patients may no longer be responding to a gluten-free diet. In the study, 17 gluten-free diet nonresponsive (refractive) patients were identified among the celiac patients treated at the University of Virginia Medical Center during the last 10 years. Interestingly, among the 17 refractive patients, 16 were diagnosed within the last 5 years, with 41% diagnosed within the last 6 months. Additionally, 5 had concomitant autoimmune disease and the average time to diagnosis of refractive disease was 4.7 years after the initial diagnosis of celiac disease. For each patient, noncompliance with the gluten-free diet was eliminated as the cause of refractive disease. The findings of this limited single-site study suggest that the incidence of refractory celiac disease is increasing. However, accidental ingestion from contaminated gluten-free grains or other products cannot be entirely ruled out.

Primary source: American College of Gastroenterology
Source reference:
Hammerle C, Crowe S "Natural history and treatment of refractory celiac disease: Experience with 17 patients at a single center" ACG 2010; Abstract 235.

High Point Gluten Free Support Group Workshop

High Point Gluten Free Support Group Workshop

Presents

Diagnosis to Treatment: Eating Gluten Free

Date: Saturday, November 20, 2010

Place: High Point Country Club

          Time: 11:00 AM vendor displays, optional

 12:00 Gluten Free Meal

               1:00 Presentation by Speaker

                                2:00-3:00 PM vendor displays, optional

Fee for attendance includes meal: $21.00 per person

Menu

Gluten Free Chicken Entrée

Choice of

Fancy Sweet Potatoes or Herbed Corn

Green Beans or Special Squash Medley

Grateful Bread Specialty Bread

Assorted Gluten Free Desserts

Beverage Choices

Registration Form with check needs to be received before 11/13/2010 to be eligible to attend the workshop!!

REGISTRATION FORM

Name:_______________________________

Address:_____________________________

Phone:_______________________________

Email:_______________________________

Address check to Gluten Free Support Group of High Point or GFSGHP

Mail to :  Joel Rosenquist

                2464 Motsinger Farm Lane

                Kernersville, NC 27284

Gluten-free options at Breakfast of Course (Mary's Too!)

Breakfast of Course! has a selection of gluten-free items on the menu, including breads and desserts.

Breakfast of Course (Mary's Too!)
723 Trade Street
Winston-Salem, NC, 27101

Gluten free pizza at Mellow Mushroom in WS!

 Mellow Mushroom of Winston Salem

314 West 4th Street
336-245-2820

NC Piedmont Triad GIG Holiday Potluck on Nov. 13, 2010

November 13, Dr. Ivor Hill, MD; Wake Forest School of Medicine, and Kathleen Sigler, RD; Novant Health and Diabetes Center, will speak on the topic, “Pancreas and Celiac Disease.” Dr. Hill keeps abreast of ongoing research on celiac disease. Kathleen Sigler is on the gluten-free diet and speaks from personal experience having celiac disease and diabetes. Both can assist us in knowing how to ask our physician about concerns on the health of our pancreas and the gluten-free diet.

We will meet at 10:30 AM at Hope Moravian Church, 2759 Hope Church Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27127, to set up our Healthy Choice, Delicious, Gluten-Free Holiday Potluck. NCPTGIG will provide ham & turkey. The program will begin at 11 AM. Bring 12 copies of your recipe and place beside your dish. Listing brand names is a big help for someone learning the gluten-free diet.

Please RSVP. Contact: Grace Johnston 

Directions to Hope Moravian Church: 2759 Hope Church Road

From Kernersville/Greensboro: Take I-40 Bypass and exit onto Stratford Road in Winston Salem (158W). Take a right turn at the exit and continue straight on 158.  At the 6^th stoplight you will take a left on W. Clemmonsville Road. Just as you turn and cross the railroad tracks take an immediate right turn onto Hope Church Road.  The church is on the left.  From the time you leave the interstate until you get to the church it is approximately 3 miles.

From Mocksville: Take I-40 E to exit 184 Lewisville Clemmons Road. Turn right at the exit and go to the 3^rd light and turn left onto US 158E.  Continue on 158 and at the 4^th light turn right onto W. Clemmonsville Road.  As you cross the railroad tracks take another immediate right onto Hope Church Road.  It is approximately 5 miles.

From Winston Salem: Take Stratford Road which turns into US 158 W toward Clemmons. You will pass the Sheets gas station on the right as you go out 158. After going under the light at Sheets go to the next light and turn left on W. Clemmonsville Road.  After turning and crossing the railroad tracks, take an immediate right onto Hope Church Road. The church is on the left.

Bonjour Winston Salem!

I'm a recent transplant to Winston Salem after living the last 7 years in New Orleans. I am a semi-retired scientist with a background in pathology and infectious disease who is making the transition to a new career in sustainable agriculture. Since my diagnosis of Celiac Sprue in late 2008, I've been on a quest for some semblance of a normal life, as many of you can probably relate. While the cuisine in NOLA was exceptional, gluten-free options were a challenge. Since moving to this area, I am pleasantly surprised by the abundance of gluten-free products in the local stores, as well as gluten-free friendly restaurants. I hope to share my discoveries and information, as well as those from the local Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG) and others, with the readers of Gluten Free Winston Salem. Let's pool our resources to make a difference!

Winston-Salem, NC Bloggers Needed

Live in Winston-Salem, NC?

Live the Gluten Free Lifestyle?

Interested in helping others in your city?

If you have any questions or interest writing about Winston-Salem please email me.

North Carolina Governor Declares May Celiac Disease Awareness Month

Media Release

North Carolina Governor Declares May Celiac Disease Awareness Month

• Triangle residents can participate in a gluten-free food drive at various locations or make a monetary donation to help stock the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina
• Bella Monica Italian Restaurant is hosting a six-course gluten-free dinner prepared by Vanessa Maltin, food and lifestyle editor for Delight Gluten-free Magazine
• A top food allergens poster is available for restaurants to download to educate their staff about these items, including gluten

Raleigh, N.C., USA, April 30, 2010 – The Gluten Free Raleigh Blog has announced Governor Beverly Perdue has declared May 2010 “Celiac Disease Awareness Month” in North Carolina. The Gluten Free Raleigh Blog and Pat Berger, leader of the North Raleigh Celiac Sprue Association (CSA) Support Group brought the petition to the Governor’s office regarding the awareness month.

Celiac Disease is a genetic autoimmune disease that affects one in 133 people in the United States. It interferes with the absorption of nutrients from food and can cause gastrointestinal and neurological issues, infertility, skin rashes and cancer. The only treatment for Celiac Disease is lifelong, strict adherence to a gluten-free diet.

“The Governor’s proclamation paves the way to further educate the community on Celiac Disease and helps to create a positive impact on the quality of life for people living with this condition,” said Zach Becker, creator of the Gluten Free Raleigh Blog. “It’s my goal to help raise awareness so those living with this disease can safely eat out at restaurants and have easier access to gluten-free food.”

In an effort to educate, raise awareness and give back to the community, there are a number of gluten-free events scheduled during the month of May.

• A gluten-free food drive will be held on Saturday, May 8 to benefit the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. Special discounts at the drop off locations may be available in exchange for your donation. Bins are set up in each of these locations to accept the packaged gluten-free non-perishable food items:
o Rosie’s Plate – N. Person St., Raleigh
o Bella Monica Italian Restaurant – Edwards Mill Rd., Raleigh
o ZPizza – Falls of Neuse Rd., Raleigh and Cornerstone Dr., Cary
o Mellow Mushroom – W. Peace St., Raleigh
o Whole Foods Market, Raleigh – Wade Ave., Raleigh
o Earth Fare – Moncreiffe Rd., Raleigh
o Harmony Farms/Café Harmony – Creedmoor Rd., Raleigh

• A virtual food drive will be held all month to benefit the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina with gluten-free food. The link to donate can be located on the Gluten Free Raleigh Blog.

• On Sunday, May 16, beginning at 5 p.m., Bella Monica Italian Restaurant will host a six-course gluten-free dinner prepared by Vanessa Maltin, food and lifestyle editor for Delight Gluten-free Magazine and Corbett Monica, head chef at Bella Monica Italian Restaurant. They will be preparing dishes from Maltin’s gluten-free cookbook entitled The Gloriously Gluten-Free Cookbook: Spicing Up Life with Italian, Asian and Mexican Recipes. Copies of the cookbook will also be included. Tickets are required for this dining event and can be purchased by calling Bella Monica Italian Restaurant at 919-881-9778.

• The Gluten Free Raleigh Blog worked with Sofia Noble of the design firm This Is Beautiful to create a poster featuring all of the top food allergens, including gluten. This poster is now available for download in English and Spanish at the Gluten Free Raleigh Blog. Wake County restaurant owners may use it to educate their staffs about these foods.

“Research indicates there are approximately three million people living with Celiac Disease in the United States and of those, only about 120,000 have been diagnosed,” said Alice Bast, founder and president of the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA). “It’s great to see North Carolina working to raise awareness about this disease so perhaps others can be accurately diagnosed by their doctors. Zach Becker and the entire North Carolina Celiac Disease community should be commended for their leadership and successful advocacy efforts.”


About Gluten Free Raleigh Blog
Zach Becker was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in May 2008. He founded the Gluten Free Raleigh Blog in August 2008 and has created similar blogs across the state. He has recruited writers for these blogs so gluten-free information in those communities can be shared. The blogs contain restaurant and grocery store reviews, summaries of national news as well as highlight local companies that cater to the gluten-free community. Becker is an advocate for those living with Celiac Disease in the Triangle and donates his time to educate the newly diagnosed, local restaurants and government leaders on this condition.

Gluten-free Valentine Dinner at Cimarron

Have a gluten-free Valentine dinner at Cimarron Steakhouse on Wednesday, February 10 at 6:30pm.  The owners and chef have created a special menu with several choices specifically for your enjoyment!

Please RSVP with your total number of guests by February 1 to georgia1107@triad.rr.com so that they can plan for seating and so that the chef can order gluten-free ingredients.

Also:
• For guests who wish to choose from the attached gluten-free menu, please include each name and corresponding complete meal choice in your RSVP.

• Using the numbers on the menu, please designate your salad choice (if desired) + your entrée choice + your side item choice + your dessert choice (if desired).  If appropriate for your entrée, please indicate the degree of doneness you prefer (e.g., rare; medium well).          Example:  “Two of us will attend.  Gluten-free choices for Georgia Wood: salad #1, entrée #11, side #13 and dessert #15.”

• Guests who do not require gluten-free meals will be able to order from Cimarron’s standard menu upon arrival.

Cimarron Steakhouse is located on Stratford Road (Hwy. 158) between Winston-Salem & Clemmons.

Menu

   Celiac Sweethearts at Cimarron    

Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 6:30 pm

   G L U T E N – F R E E  D I N N E R    M E N U  

- Salads -

1)     Apple walnut spring salad with rice wine vinaigrette; $4

2)     Winter vegetable salad (zucchini & squash julienne) with blue cheese basil vinaigrette; $4

3)     Roasted fennel & tomato salad with cranberry vinaigrette; $4

- Entrees -

Beef

4)     Petite filet of beef with Merlot caramelized onions; $18

5)     Spinach & gruyere stuffed flank steak with roasted pepper coulis; $16

Chicken

6)     Poached chicken roullad’e with Boursin cheese, spinach & basil cream (or without cream); $14

7)     Grilled breast of chicken with citrus, tarragon chutney; $14

Pork

8)     Grilled pork loin with apple, raisin chutney; $17

9)     Sautéed pork medallions with tomato, cucumber remoulade; $17

Seafood

10)  Grilled Atlantic salmon with pistachio, orange vinaigrette; $18

11)  Grilled Ahi tuna with caper, soya aioli; $18

Side Items (all entrees include sautéed vegetables plus your choice of additional side item)

12)  Au gratin potatoes

13)  Jasmine rice

- Desserts -

14)  Assorted mixed berries with crème Anglais’e; $5

15)  Peppermint brownie torte; $5

16)  Hot fudge nut sundae; $3

Redbridge Beer will be available & all “wines by the glass” will be ½ price.

Guests not requiring gluten-free meals may order from the standard menu upon arrival.

Free Thanksgiving 101 e-book from Jules Gluten Free

Between now and Oct 5th get a FREE "Jules' Gluten-Free Thanksgiving 101" e-Book with coupon code: thanksgiving (case sensitive)

Whether a host or guest, make this Thanksgiving your best gluten-free Thanksgiving ever with 4 pages of holiday tips, a 6-week planning timeline, and more than 20 delicious, gluten-free recipes that will please both gluten-free and gluten-full eaters alike.

Recipes include:

• Traditional Stuffing
• Corn Bread Stuffing
• Turkey & Gravy
• Buttermilk Biscuits
• Apple Pie
• Pumpkin Pie
• Pumpkin Cheesecake
• And more...

A $12.95 value - this 34 page e-book is yours for FREE between now and Oct 5th when you click here and enter coupon code thanksgiving (case sensitive).

To your health!

Wendy's french fries: word of caution

Debbie over at Gluten Free Durham posted some information about whether Wendy's french fries are gluten free. Some Wendy's have dedicated french fry fyers, and others do not. I can tell you from personal experience that some of the ones along I-40 do not have dedicated fryers. Always ask before you indulge.

Read Debbie's post here.

Restaurant: The Loop Pizza Grill

Pam over on the Gluten Free Cary blog wrote about the Cary location Loop and its gluten free menu. The Loop in Thruway Shopping Center in Winston-Salem has a gluten free menu, too! The walnut, cranberry, and goat cheese salad sounds good. Check it out!

Here's there allergen disclaimer:
This menu and the information on it are provided by The Loop Pizza Grill, in cooperation
with Nutritional Information Services (NIS), as a service to our customers. Guests are
encouraged to consider the information provided, to their own satisfaction, in light of
their individual needs and requirements. The allergen profile listed for our menu items is
specific for the standard recipe for each item. Because The Loop does not use dedicated
prep methods, cross contamination may occur.

Event: Gluten-free night at New Town Bistro

On September 15th, New Town Bistro in Winston-Salem will be hosting a gluten-free dining night. New Town Bistro is located at 420 Jonestown Road. Check out the menu!

Whole Foods Gluten Free Vendor Fair - Aug 29

Saturday, August 29

Gluten Free Fair
1-4pm FREE

Special Guest: Lee Tobin from the Whole Foods Market Gluten Free Bakehouse!

Whether you are newly diagnosed with Celiac Disease, a seasoned veteran or wanting to learn more, join us Saturday, August 29, 1-4pm. Meet our Gluten Free producers, taste their delicious products and enjoy a life that's Gluten Free!

This is a free event and open to the public so be sure to bring a friend!

Product Review: Riceworks

To me, there's almost no better combination than cinnamon and sugar...well, maybe chocolate and peanut butter. But when my mom found a Cinnamon Sugar flavor of Riceworks, I tore open the bag like a 5 year-old on Christmas Day! Then I proceeded to eat almost the entire contents of the bag like I was a lioness who just caught my prey.

The bonus? They're reasonably nutritious for a gluten-free treat! They have other flavors, too - like Sea Salt, Parmesan, Wasabi, Sweet Chili, and Salsa Fresca. I've tried and loved the Sea Salt (great with cheddar cheese) and Sweet Chili (reminiscent of Doritos), but have not tried the others yet.

The coveted Cinnamon ones can be found at the Harris Teeter in Thruway Shopping Center off of Stratford Road and Knollwood Street. Please share other places you have found them!

Oh yeah, did I mention there is a $1.00 off coupon the their website?