tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31181998.post5561173580051352735..comments2023-05-13T08:12:09.053-06:00Comments on Gluten-Free Gastro-Gnome: The Irony of Science and Celiac DiseaseElwoodCity, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09528802746437208144noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31181998.post-73268355306085056962007-06-14T08:03:00.000-06:002007-06-14T08:03:00.000-06:00Aside from being so much cheaper, being aboe to co...Aside from being so much cheaper, being aboe to control all the ingredients that go into your food is a great advantage to baking your own.<BR/><BR/>The Maestro gets a rash whenever he eats corn, so we try to minimize his corn intake. That is not easy to do using commercial GF foods, but pretty easy when I'm baking. I just substituted tapioca starch for corn starch.ElwoodCity, Ph.D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/09528802746437208144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31181998.post-85373714157960621952007-06-14T07:36:00.000-06:002007-06-14T07:36:00.000-06:00For the past 8 years I've "felt better" eating a g...For the past 8 years I've "felt better" eating a gentler gluten diet. I began using spelt flour instead of regular wheat. I seem to be becoming more intolerent to that now, but many "gluten-free" products contain ingredients that I also react to , such as corn (swollen joints) and potato flour. I was glad to find your blog and your recommendations, especially idea that a diagnosis can let you claim GF foods as a tax deduction! My husband will be thrilled!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31181998.post-43088184776238303222007-06-02T13:05:00.000-06:002007-06-02T13:05:00.000-06:00My understanding is that to "officially" have celi...My understanding is that to "officially" have celiac disease, so that you get to claim GF food as a medical expense deduction on your taxes, in the U.S. you need to have a doctor's note saying that you have celiac disease. In Canada, you have to have a positive biopsy result.<BR/><BR/>I think that reflects on the view that governments have of Science (Big S). On the other hand, if you try the diet and feel a lot better, and you have done your best to rule out other factors like sleep habits, and food poisoning or whatever, that is pretty scientific.<BR/><BR/>Whether you decide to tell people you are an undiagnosed celiac, or that you just feel a lot better when you don't eat gluten, I'm glad you feel so much better.ElwoodCity, Ph.D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/09528802746437208144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31181998.post-56548502467666344892007-06-02T12:54:00.000-06:002007-06-02T12:54:00.000-06:00Well said. And thank you for writing it the way y...Well said. And thank you for writing it the way you did. My 2 year old son had the positive blood tests, but his biopsy just showed inflammation and not a positive for CD and it was suggested he go gluten free. I limited his gluten and noticed a difference on the days I did and the days I forgot to. When I switched pediatricians, she was puzzled and followed up with the gastroenterologist who told her, he has celiac and needs to be gluten free. The day she called I had given him gluten at every meal so his first 'attack' came. Timing is everything. So, according to science does he really have it if his biopsy wasn't positive? Confusing as heck. <BR/><BR/>I've been gluten free for a month along with him and my health has improved (and I lost 11 pounds). I didn't bother getting tested because I started it with him and could tell my past health history really could have been CD the whole time except 20 years ago they never tested me for it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31181998.post-33715703009912119352007-06-01T12:05:00.000-06:002007-06-01T12:05:00.000-06:00Well, I'm not a science person AT ALL (which is an...Well, I'm not a science person AT ALL (which is an understatement). LOL But I have to say, one thing I appreciate about you and all your brainy-ness is that you're good at explaining things to those of us not quite as immersed in that field. Good post!Dawnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16541938601405548278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31181998.post-48284562982405368032007-05-30T21:42:00.000-06:002007-05-30T21:42:00.000-06:00Ahh...science. Understanding the benefits and limi...Ahh...science. Understanding the benefits and limitations of science make me the bane of some doctor's and the ideal patient to others. I made my oncologist crazy when I disagreed with her statistical reasoning on the drug she recommended for my early stage breast cancer. However, my radiation oncologist was impressed that I understood the statistical advantages of the treatments and the limitations. She was willing to have detailed discussions with me...although as a radiation oncologist she was in the business of calculating numbers. <BR/><BR/>My diagnosis for gluten sensitivity followed an interesting diagnostic path. My hematologist/internal medicine specialist told me I had antibodies and needed to do a gluten free diet test. After I got better and asked if I should have a biopsy, she said, "Why? You got better." When I questioned her about the diagnosis, she told me that I had an autoimmune problem (hypothyroid) that meant she should think of celiac disease, plus I was lactose intolerant. Then she said that other things can cause villous atrophy, such as having a dairy problem. So, she made the diagnosis based on other factors that she had the lab draw blood to measure and the diet.<BR/><BR/>Science...it's a beautiful thing.<BR/><BR/>Sheltie Girl @ Gluten A Go GoSheltie Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00017566413309758029noreply@blogger.com