This program showed up on the TiVo yesterday. (We have a keyword wishlist for "Celiac" or "gluten". Occasionally a random program will show up.) This is a great overview of the difficulty doctors face in diagnosing Celiac disease. It also is a great introduction to the medical description of the disease.
If you missed it, you're in luck. The entire episode is available online! There are also a number of additional resources on their website. I highly recommend the program for everyone.
The most shocking take away for me was when one of the doctors said that in medical school they were told that Celiac disease was 1 in a million. Wow. Of course, now we hear that it is more like 1 in 133. Some say the ration may be closer to 1 in four.
Another great take away. The same doctor said that the gluten free diet makes everyone feel better. Wow. If that word gets out, we'll have not worries about the gluten free market shrinking.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Wheat Gluten is Not Food
Here's my new philosophy: wheat gluten is not food.
There are a lot of things in this world that I could eat, but shouldn't: plastic, mercury, dirt. I'm not allergic to these things, but they are bad for me. They happen also to be bad for everyone. Just add wheat, barley, and rye to that list. These things are not food. We as a species should never have begun eating them. Our bodies do not process their proteins very well. There are many other grains that we can eat. Our early ancestors never figured out that wheat was causing them sickness (who knows maybe it wasn't). Now we know that wheat gluten causes sickness, possibly even in people who do not have an allergy or autoimmune deficiency related to it.
So, I think of wheat gluten as dirt. Somehow that makes it easier (emotionally or psychologically) to avoid items made with wheat. Wonder Bread is made with dirt. Domino's pizza is made with dirt. Gross.
There are a lot of things in this world that I could eat, but shouldn't: plastic, mercury, dirt. I'm not allergic to these things, but they are bad for me. They happen also to be bad for everyone. Just add wheat, barley, and rye to that list. These things are not food. We as a species should never have begun eating them. Our bodies do not process their proteins very well. There are many other grains that we can eat. Our early ancestors never figured out that wheat was causing them sickness (who knows maybe it wasn't). Now we know that wheat gluten causes sickness, possibly even in people who do not have an allergy or autoimmune deficiency related to it.
So, I think of wheat gluten as dirt. Somehow that makes it easier (emotionally or psychologically) to avoid items made with wheat. Wonder Bread is made with dirt. Domino's pizza is made with dirt. Gross.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Friday's Feature Music -- Wilco
From Wikipedia:
Wilco - Outtasite
Uploaded by WBRNewMedia. - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.
Wilco - Box Full Of Letters
Uploaded by WBRNewMedia. - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.
Discography
A collection of performances -- free streaming
Lyrics Archive
"Wilco is an American alternative rock band based in Chicago, Illinois.
The band was formed in 1994 by the remaining members of alternative country group Uncle Tupelo following singer Jay Farrar's departure. Wilco's lineup has changed frequently, with only singer Jeff Tweedyand bassist John Stirratt remaining from the original incarnation. Since early 2004, the other current members are guitarist Nels Cline, multi-instrumentalists Pat Sansone and Mikael Jorgensen, and drummerGlenn Kotche. Wilco has released seven studio albums, a live double album, and three collaborations: two with Billy Bragg, and one with The Minus 5."
The band was formed in 1994 by the remaining members of alternative country group Uncle Tupelo following singer Jay Farrar's departure. Wilco's lineup has changed frequently, with only singer Jeff Tweedyand bassist John Stirratt remaining from the original incarnation. Since early 2004, the other current members are guitarist Nels Cline, multi-instrumentalists Pat Sansone and Mikael Jorgensen, and drummerGlenn Kotche. Wilco has released seven studio albums, a live double album, and three collaborations: two with Billy Bragg, and one with The Minus 5."
Wilco - Outtasite
Uploaded by WBRNewMedia. - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.
Wilco - Box Full Of Letters
Uploaded by WBRNewMedia. - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.
Discography
A collection of performances -- free streaming
Lyrics Archive
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Gluten Freely Website
Check it out: http://www.glutenfreely.com/
Part online store for gluten free products, part resource, part blog (or aggregate of a few other gluten free blogs), part General Mills marketing tool.
Oh, coupons and recipes too.
Part online store for gluten free products, part resource, part blog (or aggregate of a few other gluten free blogs), part General Mills marketing tool.
Oh, coupons and recipes too.
Kim and Scott's Gluten Free Pretzel
From Jane Anderson at About.com we learn that Kim & Scott's Pretzels are offering a gluten free soft pretzel. Unfortunately, this is another one of those products that is produced in a facility that also produces gluten containing products. On the one hand, they seem to be highly aware of allergy sensitivities. On the other hand, they don't say that their gluten free pretzels have been tested.
Will I try them? Yes.
(Kim and Scott's on Twitter)
Will I try them? Yes.
(Kim and Scott's on Twitter)
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