A bit of a follow up to my post last week about the Mayo Clinic study about Celiac Disease. So I got my hands on a copy of the full journal article (many thanks to Alex for this!) and part of my question of "what is going on?" regarding the dramatic increase in CD cases was solved. In the discussion portion of the article, the authors outlined a few possible reasons for the 4-fold increase in Celiac Disease in the US in the past 50 years:
First off, the authors acknowledge that the reasons for this increase is unknown, but could be caused by:
-environmental
-changes in wheat genetics
-wheat/bread/cereal processing
-changes in patterns of early childhood infections
-change in human immune system interactions
-dietary changes (more highly processed nutrients) modifying gene expression in humans
Setting aside the other half of the results (the increased mortality rate of undiagnosed CD), the dramatic increase in the rates of Celiac Diease, now thought to be 1 in 100 people, is still mind boggling. If you were born in the 1980s, you are 4x as likely to have Celiac Disease than if you were born in the 1950s.
I don't think its an exaggeration when the study concludes that "Celiac Disease is emerging as a substantial public health concern in the United States."
***
In other news, I moved and am in the process of setting up my gluten-free kitchen! After the moth infestation over the summer, I am seriously considering keeping all gf flours in glass Ball jars. Any other tips or suggestions?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Loved your synopsis of the JAMA article. I'd love to get a copy of it too!
ReplyDeleteFor the pesky moths, I've found they can even get into jars and sealed plastic wrappers! Don't know how, but I've seen it happen. I've taken to putting all the g-f flours into the freezer. They will last longer there too.
Those moths love paper, so if you have any paper lining, cardboard boxes, or loose labels they love to crawl under them. One you get them it seems like you have to keep traps in the house full time. I was able to by traps with the phermone in them at Lowes.
If you have access (or a friend with access) to the journal Gastroenterology, http://www.gastrojournal.org/, then you can snag a copy - its only 4 pages long. I think the fact that they used serology tests as the determining factor to test for CD (intestinal biopsies were not possible since intestine samples were not taken) is truly remarkable. I am hoping that this will mean a change in the "golden standard" of diagnosis, from small intestine biopsy to blood work testing.
ReplyDeleteThe freezer is a great idea! (I wish I thought of it.) It makes a ton of sense and is probably safer for nut meals in general.
I think I have gotten rid of all the moth culprits and I am exciting about setting up this new kitchen.
Thanks for the awesome idea!