Untreated celiac disease results in early menopause

A new study by clinicians at the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Federico II University of Naples, has characterized the influence of celiac disease (CD) and the gluten-free diet on the fertile life span and onset of menopause among a cohort of 103 women. Read the summary.

Gluten causes GI symptoms in non-celiac individuals

In a study by J.R. Biesiekierski et al. "Gluten Causes Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Subjects Without Celiac Disease: A Double-Blind Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial", investigators at the Monash University Department of Medicine and Gastroenterology have found evidence that gluten intolerance can cause gastrointestinal symptoms in non-celiac individuals. Read the summary.

Am J Gastroenterol. 2011 Mar;106(3):508-14; quiz 515. Epub 2011 Jan 11.

Betty Crocker® Baker’s Challenge Gluten Free Recipe Contest

Calling all gluten-free bakers! Get an early taste of the holidays with the Betty Crocker^® Baker’s Challenge Gluten Free Recipe Contest!
We’re looking for the most creative and inspired gluten-free holiday recipe made with a Betty Crocker Gluten Free dessert mix or Bisquick^® Gluten Free baking mix. Share how you’ve made your classic favorites work for a gluten-free holiday celebration or created new traditions of your own! It’s your turn to shine!
Entry deadline is June 30, 2011, so grab your favorite mix and get creative! In September, ten finalists will be announced and the Gluten Freely community will vote to decide the $5,000 grand-prize winner.

Upcoming NCPTGIG Meetings for August and September

The next NCPTGIG meeting will be held on August 6, 2011 at the Wachovia Scouting Center (6600 Silas Creek Parkway, Winston Salem) from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The September meeting will be held on 9/24 at the same location and time. The programs for each will be announced later this week. See the Yadkin Valley Gluten Free local meetings page or Facebook for more details.

Yadkin Valley Gluten Free is now on Facebook

Click here to visit the new Yadkin Valley Gluten Free Facebook page.

I have a new blog! Yadkinvalleyglutenfree.org!

Due to ongoing problems with the reliability of the Blogger service, as well as my wish for a site that is of my own creation, I have started a new gluten-free resource at YadkinValleyGlutenFree.org (dot com works also).

Please visit the new site and let me know what you think. I am hoping to create a comprehensive site for all things gluten-free for greater Winston Salem, so please be sure to let me know what you would like to see.

Thanks to everyone for visiting this site and reading my posts these last few months! I really appreciate the feedback. Special thanks to Zach for allowing me to participate as a blogger here at glutenfreewinstonsalem and learn my way around the blogosphere.

I will continue to post here in addition to the new site, so feel free to continue visiting this site for blog updates. In addition to the blog, the new site will have local support group information, area GF events, restaurant listings, recipes, online shopping options, and other useful GF resources.

Thanks!

Deb

Celiac disease quadruples risk of osteoporosis

Though the association of celiac disease and an increased risk of osteoporosis has been known for some time, a study by researchers at the Lancaster University School of Health and Medicine has shown that having celiac disease increases your risk of osteoporosis by more than four times that of the general population (read more at the jump break below). That is a truly staggering increase.
What can you do to decrease your risk of osteoporosis? Eat a well-balanced diet, get plenty of weight-bearing exercise, maintain a healthy lifestyle (don't smoke and limit alcohol intake), get regular bone density tests to determine your immediate risk, and use preventative medications when necessary. For more information visit the NIH Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases National Resource Center.

Gluten Intolerance Group needs Camp Volunteers

Dear NC Piedmont Triad Gluten Intolerance Group,

It is that time of year again when we need your help.  School is getting near the end and our kids are planning their summer vacations.  Those plans include summer camp.
 
We are looking for volunteers to help out at the following locations:
 
Camp Sealth
Vashon Island, Washington
Session 4:  July 20 - 25, 2011
Session 5:  July 26 - 29, 2011
Session 4/5:  July 20 - 29, 2011
 
Camp Kanata
Wake Forest, North Carolina
August 7 - 13, 2011
 
Volunteers will work in the kitchen and will work 6 hour shifts.  If you are interested in helping to make this a great time for our celiac kids, please send an email with your name, contact information, and the day(s) you are available to volunteer.
 
Hope to see you at camp!
 
Stacey Juhnke
GIG Camp Coordinator 

Effects of celiac disease on bone mineral density are pronounced in lumbar spine than femoral neck

Patients with celiac disease are more than 4.5 times more likely to develop osteoporosis compared to healthy people in an age and gender matched cohort with no identifiable risk factors for osteoporosis, according to a study presented today at the EULAR 2011 Annual Congress.
The British study of 1,030 people compares the extent of bone mineral density (BMD)* loss – a common measure of osteoporosis – in two physical locations in the body. The results demonstrated that the mean BMD of the lumbar spine in patients with coeliac disease was significantly different when compared to the control group (1.79 (95% CI 1.32, 2.44)), however not for the femoral neck vs. control (1.52 (95% CI 0.86, 2.67)).
"This is the first study that compares the extent of BMD loss at the lumbar spine and femoral neck in an age and sex matched cohort, and demonstrates that the detrimental effects of coeliac disease are most pronounced in the lower back compared to the hip joint," said Mr Oldroyd of Lancaster University School of Medicine. "These findings may be due to the fact that the bone in the lumbar spine is spongy, less dense and weaker in comparison to the femoral neck, causing it to be more susceptible to the detrimental effects of coeliac disease. There is greater research required to determine why this effect is seen and whether it can have future implications for treatment."
The authors from Lancaster and the Liverpool area collected results of DEXA scans (used to measure BMD) from 1,030 patients with coeliac disease between June 2004 and September 2007. Scan results of the lumbar spine and femoral neck of patients with coeliac disease were compared to a healthy, age and gender matched cohort, with no identifiable risk factors for osteoporosis. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association between coeliac disease and BMD results for the lumbar spine and femoral neck in the lowest tertile of the whole study cohort.

###

Abstract Number: THU0142
*BMD refers to the amount of matter per cubic centimeter of bones. Measurements are most commonly made over the lumbar spine and over the upper part of the hip. Average density is around 1500 kg m−3. BMD is often measured with a t-score, the number of standard deviations above or below the mean for a healthy 30 year old adult of the same sex and ethnicity as the patient. Average t-scores are as follows:
T-score
Normal: Less than 1 standard deviation (SD) below the young adult reference range (more than -1)
Low bone mass (osteopenia): 1 to 2.5 SDs below the young adult reference range (-1 to -2.5)
Osteoporosis: 2.5 or more SDs below the young adult reference range (-2.5 or less)


http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-05/elar-eoc052511.php

Please note that the June 4 Family Fun Event has been cancelled

The Gluten Free Family Fun event scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday the 4th has been cancelled. We did not meet the minimum head count needed to host the event. It may be rescheduled for the fall, details to follow.

General Mills is discontinuing their gluten-free hamburger helper products

General Mills has been contacting members of the gluten-free community to let them know that they will no longer be offering the gluten-free versions of their popular hamburger helper products, including Hamburger Helper Cheesy Hashbrown, Asian Helper Chicken Fried Rice and Asian Helper Beef Fried Rice. This change is due to a modification in their manufacturing facilities, where all of the products, gluten-containing or not, will be processed on the same line. As such, General Mills can no longer guarantee the gluten-free status of the products because of the potential for cross contamination. Please visit this celiac news and gluten free diet resources page for more information.

Blogger site problems.....

Note to everyone who may be confused by the sudden disappearance of posts over the last several hours. The Blogger site has been undergoing a few "repairs" since yesterday that should be completed soon. A few posts may appear twice, not at all, etc. until the situation is resolved. I'm trying to keep the current posts up and running, so let me know (via the comments or email) if you need info that you can't locate.

I hope everyone has a great weekend. Be sure to stop by the Greek Festival for gluten-free food, wine and beer!

Enjoy a Gluten-Free Meal at the Greek Festival this Weekend!

Gluten-free items from the menu include:

• chicken and pork souvlaki skewers (marinade is vegetable oil, lemon, salt, pepper, oregano)
• greek-style green beans (in tomato base)
• greek salad (order without the roll!)
• greek potato wedges (fried in vegetable oil in designated fryers. Greek seasoning is paprika, salt, pepper and oregano)
• wine and gluten-free beer (Red Bridge)

For more details visit www.wsgoc.org.  Special thanks to Georgia Wood for the gluten-free menu details!

New Town Bistro's Gluten Free Menu......looks good!!

Register for the Gluten Free Family Fun Event on June 4, 2011

 Who/What:

 The NCPTGIG is hosting a Gluten Free event for the whole family! Bring your lawn chairs and appetites!

• Sampling of some gluten free goodies from Ana Lilly Gluten Free Foods, Three Sisters Artisan Bakery, and Udi's

• Fun and games from Fit Republic

• Great lunch from New Town Bistro

When/Where:

10:30AM Saturday June 4th

• Mostly Local Market parking lot in Lewisville

(note if it rains we will be having this event at the Jerry Long YMCA teen room before heading over to New Town Bistro). We will post a note here if there is a question of rain.

11:30 AM
We will then go over to New Town Bistro to enjoy a Gluten Free Lunch

RSVP and prepayment of lunch required.  There is a minimum headcount required to run this program.

Please RSVP ASAP to Suzanne York to reserve your space. Include names of people participating, and ages of children. Send check to Suzanne York (make check payable to Suzanne York)
8216 Kildare St. Clemmons, NC 27012. Deadline for registration is Monday May 30th.


For list of locations and menu click below