Friday's Recipe: Pumpkin Pie!

Happy Halloween to those who celebrate it and a wonderful weekend to you all!

This recipe thanks to Jules Gluten Free.

Ingredients:

15 oz. pumpkin purée
1 cup vanilla milk (dairy or nondairy)
2 Tbs. melted butter or non-dairy
substitute (e.g. Earth Balance
Buttery® Sticks)
3 Tbs. bourbon or spiced apple cider
1 Tbs. lemon juice
2 Tbs. Jules Gluten Free™ All
Purpose Flour
1⁄2 cup packed brown sugar
1⁄4 cup granulated cane sugar
2 large eggs
1⁄2 tsp. sea salt
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice (or 1 1/2 tsp. nutmeg + 1/2 tsp. cloves)

Gluten-Free Candy List - Revisited

We thought we should re-post this article given that there will be some serious candy eating this weekend...:)

The 2010 Halloween Gluten Free Candy List from Gluten Free Life with Jen is finally here!

As always, it is important to check the bags/packaging and make sure ingredients have not changed since the research was done. You can go online to the specific manufacturers to look up their gluten free lists or call the 800 number on the candy package and speak to a company representative to find out about the products.

G-Free Foodie Launches Gluten Free App for Android and Gluten Free YouTube Channel

G-Free Foodie, a resource for living Gluten-Free and eating well, has announced the launch of their "Gluten Free Ultimate Solution" App for Android Mobile Phones and the G-Free Foodie YouTube Channel.

The "Gluten Free Ultimate Solution" App provides locations of US Gluten Free Restaurants near the user's location via GPS and Search Features, and provides hundreds of Gluten Free and GFCF Recipes, many with photos or video.

The G-Free Foodie YouTube Channel provides Gluten Free cooking demonstrations, often with tips for making recipes Dairy, Egg and Nut Free. According to G-Free Foodie's Founder, KC Pomering, new content will be added to both the App and channel often.

Meet Author Silvana Nardone in Seattle - Saturday, November 6th

Silvana Nardone will be signing her newly released book Cooking for Isaiah, as well as demonstrating and sampling delicious and easy-to-make gluten-free party pleasers for the holidays, including a surprise recipe made with Chex that will tantalize your taste buds!

Class includes demonstration and sampling of great-tasting, gluten-free recipes including: Corn Bread, Mini-Pizza’s, Scampi-Stuffed Roasted Shrimp and Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Pudding Pie. All guests will also receive a signed copy of Silvana’s cookbook.

Price per Person $ 45.00

Where: Diane's Market Kitchen in Downtown Seattle.

About Silvana Nardone:

Silvana Nardone is the former editor in chief of Every Day with Rachael Ray magazine. A writer, editor, cooking instructor and food consultant, Silvana is the author of Cooking for Isaiah and co-author of Saveur Cooks Authentic Italian. Previously, Silvana was an editor at Food & Wine magazine before opening her Italian bakery, Fanciulla. She has appeared on NBC’s Weekend Today, CBS’s News This Morning, ABC’s Eyewitness News This Morning, and the Food Network’s Roker on the Road.She has also been featured in The New York Times and in New York Magazine.

Visit Silvana’s blog at: dishtoweldiaries.com

You’ve Already Had All the Tests?

This is something that many people with IBS say: “I’ve had all the tests.” But seldom is it true.

There are literally hundreds of lab tests and procedures that could be done that might provide information about a person’s gastrointestinal health. No one ever gets all of them.

The misconception is unfortunately partially supported by what many doctors tell their patients: “There is nothing else to do. You’ll just have to live with IBS.”

If you don’t know what is causing your IBS, and you haven’t been able to resolve it, then it is highly likely that you haven’t had the right tests.

The standard of care for IBS in the medical community is unfortunately very limited. The recommendations provided by one respected international organization are to do only a few tests, or even no tests if your symptoms are consistent with their diagnostic criteria for IBS. The recommendation is to test as little as possible to avoid giving the patient false hope, excessive worry, and to avoid costs.

Do You Really Need a Biopsy to Diagnose Celiac Disease?

Celiac disease is traditionally diagnosed with a positive biopsy of the small intestine. The biopsy will demonstrate damage to the intestine known as villous atrophy. Villi are small finger-like extensions of the lining of the intestine that are visible only under the microscope.

People with celiac disease and other conditions will show a marked reduction in their villi, almost as if the villi have been worn off. Damage to the villi causes a dramatic reduction in the surface area of the small intestine, resulting in both the poor digestion and absorption of many nutrients.

High Blood Pressure Can be Caused by Hidden Food Allergies

According to the National Health Statistics Reports for the United States, the single most frequent diagnosis given out by doctors is “Hypertension,” commonly known as high blood pressure. In 2006, the most recent year for these statistics, over 35 million visits to doctors resulted in a diagnosis of high blood pressure.

In simple terms, high blood pressure is an increase in the pressure within your arteries (your pipeline) over 140/90. This increase in pressure is much like an increase in the pressure within a pipe. The higher the pressure, the harder the pump has to work, and the harder it is to contain that pressure within the pipe.

Therefore high blood pressure is well known to increase your risk for heart disease and heart attack (damage to your pump), and to increase the risk of stroke (blow outs in the pipe). An increase in blood pressure is well recognized to be related to weight gain.

Prunes, Yogurt and Self-Care: Just a Couple of Ways to Treat Constipation

Some good advice from Dr. Tyrone Reyes on alternate ways of treating constipation.

Excerpts from PhilStar.com:

Prunes & Yogurt

Prunes are also an excellent choice to treat constipation. They are high in fiber, but that does not account fully for their laxative effects, because prune juice, which has little fiber, also works.

Both the fruit and juice naturally contain high amounts of sorbitol and other substances that promote bowel movements. But their laxative effect is not completely understood.

Several yogurt brands now claim to promote regularity. These yogurts contain live bacteria that, according to some research, may shorten transit time through the intestine or have other effects that may help prevent constipation. Still, how much of a difference this would make is questionable. Yogurt with live cultures is also promoted for controlling diarrhea.

What Causes Heartburn?

In order to cure acid reflux disease, you must remove the cause of the problem and promote the healing process.

The following are the most common causes: 



Food allergies

In my practice I have found that a majority of cases of heartburn are caused by food allergies. Food allergies often cause a host of other problems and can be diagnosed with a simple blood test.



Foods

Certain foods cause the lower esophageal sphincter to relax, thus leading to heartburn. These include peppermint, coffee, alcohol and chocolate. 



Hiatal hernia

This is a physical condition where part of the stomach protrudes through the diaphragm. It can generally be reduced without surgery, though even when present it is not necessarily the sole cause of heartburn.

NBC's Lisa Cleary: Living a Life Free of Gluten

From NBC Washington:

Three years ago, I was diagnosed with celiac disease, or the intolerance to gluten. Doctors had a difficult time diagnosing me because each case is different and the symptoms (excessive fatigue, stomach pains, diarrhea) are so common of other ailments, especially of irritable bowel syndrome.

No one could understand why I was sleeping close to 20 hours a day, or couldn’t eat food without profusely sweating and experiencing excruciating abdominal pains. Upon my diagnosis, it was also determined that I was lactose intolerant, which is a side effect of celiac disease, and suffered from severe vitamin deficiencies, including anemia.

Washington Insurance Commissioner Forces Blue Cross Blue Shield to "Stop Illegally Denying Insurance to Children"

We don't talk about insurance much, but here is a scathing statement and new order by the state insurance commissioner blasting Regence for unconscionable (and probably financially irrational) denial of individual plans for kids.

Just another reason why the IBS Treatment Center refuses to accept the dictates of the insurance industry.

----------------

Press Release from
Mike Kreidler

Washington Insurance Commissioner 

Web page: www.insurance.wa.gov
More Information, Contact: 
Public Affairs: (360) 725-7055
10/15/2010

OLYMPIA, Washington

Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler ordered Regence BlueShield this morning (October 15, 2010) to stop illegally denying insurance to children, effective immediately.

Regence is in clear violation of state law that prohibits insurers from denying insurance to people on the basis of age, said Kreidler. I was shocked and deeply disappointed when Regence announced its decision last week to stop selling insurance to kids.

The Affordable Care Act requires all health plans to cover kids with pre-existing conditions. However, to accommodate the insurance industry's concerns that people would only enroll their children when they became sick, the federal government let states create a special open enrollment period.

The Role of the Immune System in the Digestive Tract

The huge surface area of your digestive tube must be protected against injury from bad bacteria, viruses, parasites, and other toxins that may get into the digestive system with food or by any number of other routes.

The immune system is critically important in helping the intestines respond to these challenges. Possibly the greatest challenge to the digestive tract's immune system is to correctly tell the difference between what is bad (such as viruses and bad bacteria) and what is good (such as nutrients and good bacteria).

Your immune system must determine whether or not to develop a tolerance to everything you put into your mouth. Whenever you try a new food, it must decide, "Do I like this or do I attack and kill it?"

Food allergy mediated by IgG antibodies associated with migraine in adults

From National Institutes of Health:

BACKGROUND

Migraine occurs with a high prevalence of 18 per cent. Management requires a tailored regimen of pharmacological and other measures based on individual clinical history. In some patients, allergen-specific IgG has been suspected to be involved in their mechanism, however, serological methods to investigate such possibility, are seldomly used.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate allergen-specific IgG in serum of patients with migraine refractory to traditional treatment.

Friday's Gluten-Free Recipe: Multi-Seed Flatbread

This recipe is thanks to GlutenFreeMama.com!

Ingredients:

1¼ cups warms water
1 Tbsp. yeast
2 cups Mama’s Almond or Coconut Blend Flour
¾ cup ground flaxseed
3 Tbsp. whole flaxseed
3 Tbsp. sesame seeds
2 tsp. chia seeds (optional)
3 Tbsp. poppy seeds
1 tsp. salt
1½ tsp. xanthan gum
¼ cup canola oil, grapeseed oil or olive oil
3 Tbsp. agave
1 egg

Probiotics May Help Ward Off Common Cold

The common cold is a viral infection primarily caused by rhinoviruses.

Previous studies have shown that probiotics, alone or in combination with prebiotics, have reduced the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections. Swedish researchers enrolled 272 men and women in a 12-week long study, during which subjects were supplemented daily with supplemented either with 109 cfu (colony forming units) of probiotics or placebo.

The team found that the probiotics reduced the incidence of one or more episodes of the common cold. Among those who received the probiotics, both the total symptom score and number of symptom days among were markedly reduced.

The researchers conclude that: “Intake of the probiotic strains Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus paracasei reduces the risk of acquiring common cold infections.”

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Original article posted HERE
Image thanks to Delicious Living Nutrition

Delayed immunologic food reactions.

This is a good piece, except for the part where they state that many healthy people have an immune response to foods, and that the test is only relevant if 95% of normal people don't have an antibody response.

However, the study still can't get the idea that maybe a huge percentage of the population shouldn't eat certain foods. But it's definitely a step in the right direction and worth putting out there...

From PubMed.gov:

Delayed onset reactions to ingested foods may be difficult to recognize, especially if days or weeks elapse before symptoms appear. More than one immunologic mechanism may be involved and it is often difficult to assess the relative importance of each.

Progressive Grocer: Supervalu Launches New Gluten-free Program

Excerpts from ProgressiveGrocer.com:

Supervalu Inc. is offering customers afflicted with gluten sensitivity an informative diet management program throughout its nationwide family of grocery stores.

The new program will roll out in phases over the next three months. Supervalu’s family of stores will provide signage and special merchandising sets in select stores to help make it easier for customers to find gluten-free products.

Customers can also visit the customer service department to pick up an in-store shopping guide and get their gluten-related questions answered. More extensive gluten-free shopping lists as well as recipes and snack and meal solutions will be available on the stores’ websites.

NY Times: U.S. Sues Michigan Blue Cross Over Pricing

According to this article, Blue Cross/Blue Shield has been engaging in coercive anti-competitive behavior to force others to pay more.

From NYTimes.com:

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department sued Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan on Monday, asserting that the company, the state’s dominant health insurer, had violated antitrust laws and secured a huge competitive advantage by forcing hospitals to charge higher prices to Blue Cross’s rivals.

The civil case appears to have broad implications because many local insurance markets, like those in Michigan, are highly concentrated, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans often have the largest shares of those markets.

IBS and the Inability to Gain Weight

Strange as it might seem to many Americans, a fairly regular complaint of patients is the inability to gain weight.

This can be a problem at any age and ranges and can be relevant for infants, children, teenagers, men and women of all ages, and athletes who work out and are trying to put on muscle mass. In fact, it’s common enough that it is well worth writing about.

The inability to gain weight, or in the case of infants and children, poor development or even a failure to thrive, often indicates a problem properly digesting and assimilating nutrients.

The next logical question is, “Why isn’t that person able to properly digest and assimilate nutrients?”

Gluten in Medication

From Celiac Central:

Gluten is used in many medications as an excipient, so it is important for people with celiac disease to check with the manufacturer to be sure that each medication they take is gluten-free. Some patients may ask their pharmacist’s help in reading the list of ingredients
or contacting the manufacturer.

It’s also important for pharmacists to be aware that medications may not work as expected in people with undiagnosed celiac disease, due to problems with malabsorption.

The Problem:

There are currently NO requirements for labeling gluten or common allergens
found in drug ingredients.

There are NO specific precautions for individuals with celiac disease in labeling.

Potential sources of gluten in medication excipients are NOT well-recognized by
health professionals or patients.

Botanical source of starch may not be specified.

Generic formulations may include different excipients than the brand-name drug.

Digestion Basics: The Dreaded Diarrhea

The word diarrhea is derived from the Greek word diarrhein, meaning 'to flow through.' Basically, diarrhea is characterized by frequent, watery bowel movements. As you might suspect, diarrhea indicates that too much water is being retained (and therefore is not being absorbed) in the digestive tract.

There are several possible causes for this. For example, food may be moving through the tube too quickly for water to be absorbed, creating stools that are watery instead of formed. This can happen if your muscular tube starts contracting faster than normal as a defense against something bad that you've eaten. The immune system signals to the tube that it should get the bad stuff out quickly. It can go up or down, whichever is faster. If it goes up, you vomit. If it goes down, you have diarrhea.

Digestion Basics: Gas and Bloating

One of the by-products of the breaking down of food is gas. Bacteria and digestion create some gas, which collects into bubbles and is expelled as flatulence.

This is normal.

However, if you are producing so much gas that it affects your social activity, or if the gas is especially odorous, then your body is not breaking down food properly.

Excess gas can also cause bloating and often abdominal pain. The conditions most likely to cause excess gas and bloating are food allergy or an imbalance in the bacteria in your digestive tract.

Product Review: Briannas Fine Salad Dressings

Disclaimer - This is NOT a paid advertisement. Just our two cents on a tasty product..:)

Briannas Fine Salad Dressings

Anyone who has tasted Briannas salad dressings know how tasty and satisfying they are.
They are made with all natural ingredients like canola oil. They are are sugar free and MSG free.

Each flavor has been created by this family owned business and they seem open to new ideas for flavors and they carefully craft each flavor.

Flavors include their popular Rich Poppy Seed, Blush Wine Vinaigrette, Zesty French and Rich Santa Fe Blend which are used frequently in our office lunch room. Each bottle of dressing has a label which will state all the natural ingredients used and whether the dressing has allergens, like wheat or diary. For a scrumptious salad try one of these dressings.

You can visit the Briannas website by clicking HERE.

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Image thanks to MasoImporting.com

IBS: A Serious Problem

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a diagnosis given to patients when the doctor can’t find anything wrong. It implies that the problem isn’t all that severe and is likely mostly in the patient’s head.

Yet people who suffer from IBS know all too well that IBS can be not only disruptive to their life, but also extremely debilitating. And being given antidepressants or acid blocking medications, to name a few, does little to address the cause of their suffering.

The facts about IBS are very enlightening. At least 35 million people in the United Stated suffer from it. It is a primary cause of lost work days, second only to the common cold. It is one of the top 10 reasons that people visit the doctor, and it is the primary reason people see a gastroenterologist. In fact, it is one the most common problems in our country.

Gluten-Free Restaurant Awareness Program

The Gluten-Free Restaurant Awareness Program (GFRAP) is a program of Gluten Intolerance Group of N.A. proudly serving over 1620 participating restaurants.

GFRAP restaurants consist of both independently owned and chain restaurants.

Each participating restaurant receives extensive publicity through the GFRAP website, GlutenFreeRestaurants.org, GIG publications and the gluten intolerant network, including over 50 Branch support groups across the United States.

GFRAP resources have been written under the auspices of a Registered Dietitian, who has been working with both chain and independent restaurants for over fourteen years, helping restaurants with food preparation, kitchen procedures, menu development, training and marketing to meet the needs of gluten intolerant diners. 


The GF menus, or menus with GF options, offered by GFRAP restaurants have been reviewed by a Registered Dietitian.

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Image thanks to GlutenFreeRestaurants.org

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What is Hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism is a serious condition found in people with and without food allergies.

However, people with food allergies, particularly those with celiac disease (a gluten allergy), frequently suffer from hypothyroidism.


Hypothyroidism causes fatigue and weight gain as well as other problems, and is often overlooked and misdiagnosed due to complexities in thyroid testing and symptoms which may overlap or contradict the symptoms of food allergies. These issues are discussed in this article.

What Is the Thyroid Gland?


The thyroid gland sits in the neck in front of and on both sides of the trachea and secretes thyroid hormones. These hormones regulate metabolism and thus affect many aspects of health. 



Friday's Gluten-Free Recipe: Crisp Fall Desserts!

Pie crust is hard to make gluten free, but apple brown betty or blackberry crumble is easy!

Gluten free oats are relatively easy to get and anyone can mail order them. Plus, almond flour and other GF flour mixes can easily substitute for quinoa flour if one has trouble getting that.

This article comes from New York Times blog. If you follow the link, you can follow other links on their website for each of the crumble variations listed below.

Diabetic Kids With Celiac Disease Might Not Need to Be Gluten-Free Right Away

From Medscape.com:

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Children with type 1 diabetes who screen positive for celiac disease seem to do all right if they don't start a gluten-free diet right away, investigators report.

After two years of prospective longitudinal follow-up, children who followed a gluten free diet and those who kept to a regular diet showed no significant difference in glycemic control, celiac symptoms, or z-scores for weight, body mass index, or height.

Celiac disease affects about one of every eight children with type 1 diabetes. However, this high rate was recognized after the advent of screening for celiac autoimmunity via immunoglobulin A transglutaminase autoantibody (TG); a TG index > 0.05 is considered positive. The clinical implications of a positive TG index in the absence of symptoms are unknown.

Is There Gluten in Adhesives?

From Gluten Intolerance Group September-October e-newsletter:

Living Gluten-Free
by Tricia Thompson, MS, RD
The Gluten-Free Dietitian

Gluten in Adhesives?

Recently I was asked about adhesives used on stickers (the type children play with) and whether they might contain wheat. Unfortunately there is a lot of misinformation floating around stating that adhesives on stickers, stamps, and envelopes often contain wheat starch. There are even claims out there stating that self-adhesive varieties of these products are harm- ful because they contain gluten and gluten is absorbed into the skin.

Bottom line: You really should not be concerned about gluten in adhesives used on stamps, envelopes, and stickers. Here’s why…

First of all, there is no reason to believe that gluten is absorbed through the skin. As I wrote in Gluten in Personal Care Products: A Need to Worry? posted on July 14, 2009,“There is no scientific evidence that the use of gluten-containing products that are not ingested is harmful to persons with celiac disease. This includes individuals with dermatitis herpetiformis.

Treating Abdominal Pain

People often think that IBS has to involve diarrhea or constipation, but often it does not. For many people the only obvious symptom is abdominal pain. And the pain can vary from a mild discomfort to incredibly debilitating. Chronic abdominal pain is one of the top 5 reasons that people to go to the doctor.

Unfortunately, for many it is also very poorly treated. The typical approach is to rule out ulcers, appendicitis, gallstones, uterine problems, or cancers. This may be done with blood work, scopes, scans, ultrasound or other imaging, depending on the problem.

If you have one of the aforementioned problems and it’s found, then your problem should be solved. But many people with abdominal pain do not have an ulceration, appendicitis, gallstones, uterine problems or cancer.

Digestive Problems and Migraines

Prevalence of Migraine Headaches

Migraine headaches are relatively common in the United States, affecting approximately 17% of the women (that’s 51 million people) and 5.5% (16.5 million) of the men in the country.

Severity of Migraines

Migraines are no small matter. Most people who suffer from migraines experience anywhere from 1-4 attacks per month and over half of these people are severely impaired during their headache. They may last for 4 hours or as long as three days. Most migraine headaches involve intense throbbing pain in the head and often include nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound, and potentially other symptoms. Many also are associated with an aura, which is a visual distortion.

Denver Post: Boulder's New Planet Brewery Makes Beer Without Gluten

From DenverPost.com:

Thanks to the rise of handcrafted beers, there is plenty of room under the tent. Find a niche, run with it. Want a beer made with cherries? Got it. Love those hops? Easy.

But try finding a brew made without barley or wheat. Not so easy, is it?

Pedro Gonzalez, founder of New Planet Brewery in Boulder, knows how you feel. Gonzalez suffered for years with celiac disease, an unpleasant and potentially dangerous reaction to proteins found in most grains, including barley and wheat, both used extensively in the brewing process. He wondered why his gut hurt after he had a couple of beers, which he loves.

Unfortunately, there are only a handful of brewers around the world who produce a beer that gluten-sensitive drinkers can, well, stomach. There are an estimated 2 million gluten-sensitive people in the United States alone.

What Is Gluten?

From The Mother Nature Network:

The prefix of the term “gluten” gives away its definition. Think of gluten as a glue-like substance which gives wheat and other products their chewy structure.

Although the science is much more complex than the definition, gluten can be defined, in lay terms, as the sticky protein substance in wheat.

Gluten is found in dozens of wheat-based products. It’s also prevalent in rye as well as oats and barley (bad news for beer drinkers).

The chewy structure that is gluten might be pleasing to our palette, but it is detrimental to the one in 200 people that are estimated to have Celiac Disease, which according to the Center for Celiac Research at the University of Maryland, is one of the most common life-long disorders in western countries.

Gluten Intolerance Group: Hospital Stays Made Safe

From the Gluten Intolerance Group of North America:

Being admitted to the hospital can be a frightening experience, especially those with celiac disease or other gluten intolerances. Whether you are there for a day-surgery or for three weeks in rehabilitation, the hospital should be doing everything they can to meet the needs of your specific gluten-free diet. Share this information with your family and your health care providers (Dietitian, Pharmacist, Physicians) to ensure the best possible care while you are staying at the hospital.

1. Make certain that your family members know where this guide is located and bring it with you to your hospital stay.

2. Keep this guide with your list of current medications and name and address of all health care providers.

Treating Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease

We often receive calls asking if we treat Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn’s Disease, and the answer is an emphatic “YES!”

Though the clinic was originally founded with an emphasis on treating IBS, patients with Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s, which together make up IBD (inflammatory bowel disease), are also welcome and receive unique and highly specialized treatment at the IBS Treatment Center.

Do These Issues Have Anything in Common?

IBD, like IBS, is not a particularly useful acronym for the person suffering from the problem. In both cases the acronym provides a label for describing the condition, but it does not provide any information for understanding the cause of the problem or to attempt to cure it.

SIBO Testing: The Debate

SIBO stands for “small intestine bacterial overgrowth.” It is currently popular in some parts of the IBS medical community to view SIBO as the primary cause of irritable bowel syndrome, and to use special testing and special antibiotics to treat SIBO. This article will explore the facts and science behind this approach to IBS.

A bacterial overgrowth of the small intestine is the concept that the wrong kind of bacteria have colonized and over-run the small intestine. This means that bacteria other than Lactobacillus (acidophilus) and Bifidobacter have set up shop and are wreaking havoc with your ability to properly digest your food.

In order to figure out whether or not you are suffering from SIBO a physician may have you undergo a breath test. Breath testing is of course not a direct measurement of the bacteria, but an indirect measurement. The idea is that when you are given something to digest, then you will produce more hydrogen or methane in your breath if you have bad bacteria in your digestive tract.

Getting the Facts Straight

This article states only a small percentage of people have food allergies (according to the NIH).

They, of course, are only referring to the small fraction of food allergies that produce asthma, hives, and anaphylaxis which can be detected via skin prick testing.

Unfortunately, this narrow definition contradicts the medical dictionary definition of allergy and leaves out millions of people who have allergies that can be measured with blood testing for their antibodies and which produce a whole host of symptoms.

From TheHill.com:

Report: 7.6 million Americans suffer food allergies
By Mike Lillis

About 7.6 million Americans — or 2.6 percent of the country — suffer from food allergies, the National Institute of Health (NIH) reported Monday, noting that age, gender and ethnicity all seem to play a role.

Jules Gluten-Free Giving Away Thanksgiving e-Book for Limited Time

A great offer from our friend Jules Gluten-Free:

Thanksgiving is coming!

My FREE Gluten-Free Thanksgiving e-Book is already here!

Last year's Thanksgiving e-Book was one of our most popular ever! We were flooded with rave reviews and appreciative emails! This year's e-book is even better - with updated recipes, baking tips, nutritional information and more. And it's yours FREE for the asking before October 14th!

The Gluten-Free Life's Gluten-Free Halloween Candy List!

Now that is quite a caption for an article, eh? Try and say it five times, real fast...:)

The 2010 Halloween Gluten Free Candy List from Gluten Free Life with Jen is finally here!

As always, it is important to check the bags/packaging and make sure ingredients have not changed since the research was done. You can go online to the specific manufacturers to look up their gluten free lists or call the 800 number on the candy package and speak to a company representative to find out about the products.

Important: Some of this candy is made in a dedicated gluten free facility and some is not. Please read the packaging to determine which candy is the most appropriate for your family.

Airheads
All Natural Pecan Divinity by Dillon’s Candy
Almond Joy
Ande’s Mints
Annie’s Bunny Fruit Snacks
Atomic Fireballs
Baby Ruth
Bazooka Bubble Gum
Bequet Confections Caramels
Big League Chew
Big Red Gum
Bit O’ Honey

Good Science vs. Bad Science

A recent news item republished in the American College of Gastroenterology’s “Digestive Health Smartbrief” provides us with an opportunity to examine the difference between good conclusions and bad conclusions in science. The article was headlined: “Study: No link between allergies, constipation in kids”.

This study was done this year on a group of children with chronic constipation. 2,068 children aged 6 months to 6 years were evaluated to determine if they had chronic constipation. 69 children qualified.

These children were then tested for cow’s milk (dairy) food allergies by measuring IgE antibodies in the blood and/or doing skin-prick tests. Eleven children were found to not respond to laxatives (it didn’t relieve their constipation) and only 3 of these had positive tests for a dairy allergy.

These 11 children were put on a 4-week dairy-free diet and none improved. The proportion of children with positive dairy allergy test results was approximately equal in the group with chronic constipation and the control group.

Leftovers: When Good Food Goes Bad

Ever since the invention of the refrigerator, and maybe before, we’ve had the opportunity to save fresh food for a later date. As we all know, this can be extremely useful.

However, it presents an opportunity for us to inadvertently eat food that is not necessarily good for your digestive system. In this article we’ll discuss what happens when good food goes bad.

All living organisms are constantly fighting decay. Micro-organisms have a nearly infinite appetite for living material.

Of course, plants and animals have developed excellent resources for dealing with this. Sometimes this protection continues even once the food has been harvested, such as with rice and beans in their dry form.

Parasites are Everywhere!

It is often assumed that people living in the United States do not have parasites. For this reason, most people are not tested for parasites unless they have travelled to a tropical or third
world country, or they have engaged in risky behavior, such as drinking from a stream.

Contrary to popular belief, it is not so unusual to find parasites in North Americans.

However, you can’t find what you don’t look for. And since most people don’t get tested for parasites, most physicians therefore assume that parasites don’t exist here.

Why Skin Testing Generally Isn't Effective

For several decades skin testing has been the standard way to test for allergies. The potential allergen is injected under or scratched into the skin, and any resulting inflammation (also known as wheal) is measured.

The size of the wheal supposedly determines whether or not an allergy is diagnosed. This technique leaves a lot to be desired because we don't inject food into our skin when we eat, nor do we necessarily get a red bump when we have a food allergy. This is also a subjective test. There is no scientific standard for the amount of swelling required for a positive result.

Equally important, this test can measure only an IgE antibody reaction. And even so, it often is negative, missing elevated IgE levels that are evident with a blood test. The IgG antibody is not tested for at all.

What's Included in the 'Vegetarian' and Herbs & Spices Food Allergy Panel

Foods Included in the 15 'Vegetarian' Additional Food Allergy Panel

Vegetables: Artichoke, Bean Sprout, Eggplant, Chili Pepper

Grains: Flaxseed, Kamut, Millet, Quinoa, Brown Rice

Legumes/Nuts: Navy Bean, Cashew Nut, Pistachio Nut

Fruits: Cantelope, Cherry, Watermelon

Foods Included in the 24 Herbs and 24 Spices Additional Food Allergy Panel

Spices:

Allspice, Basil, Bay Leaf, Cinnamon, Cloves, Cumin Seed, Curry, Dill, Fennel, Ginger, Horseradish, Marjoram, Mustard, Peppermint, Nutmeg, Oregano, Paprika, Parsley, Pepper (black), Pepper (cayenne), Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Vanilla

Herbs:

Aloe Vera, Angelica sinensis (Dong Quai), Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Uva ursi), Astragalus membranaceus (Astragalus), Camellia sinensis (Green Tea), Cimicifuga racemosa (Black Cohosh), Dioscorea villosa (Wild Yam), Echinacea augustifolia (Echinacea), Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian Ginseng), Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice), Grape Seed, Gymnema sylvestre (Gymnema), Hydrastis canadensis (Goldenseal); Hypericum perforatum (St. John's Wort), Matricaria chamomilla (Chamomile), Plantago ovata (Psyllium), Rosa canina (Rose Hips), Serenoa serrulata (Saw Palmetto), Silybum marianum (Milk Thistle), Spirulina, Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion), Vaccinum myrtillus (Bilberry), Valeriana officinalis (Valerian), Withania somnifera (Ashwaganda)

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More information on the Standard Food Allergy Panel at Center for Food Allergies
Image thanks to peterhagopian on Photobucket

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Foods Included in the Standard Food Allergy Panel

Foods Included in the Standard Food Allergy Panel - 96 foods

Dairy: Cow's milk, whey, casein, mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, goat's milk.

Meat and Poultry: beef, chicken, lamb, pork, chicken, eggs white (chicken), egg yolk (chicken), turkey.

Grains: amaranth, barley, buckwheat, corn, gliadin (wheat), gluten (wheat), oat, rice, rye, spelt, whole wheat.

Seafoods: lobster, clam, cod, crab, halibut, oyster, salmon, shrimp, snapper, sole, tuna

PubMed.gov: Respiratory Diseases and Food Allergy

Both upper and lower respiratory tracts can be affected by food allergy.

Manifestations in either may be exclusively due to food allergy (common in infants) or may result from the combined effects of food allergy plus another defect such as gastroesophageal reflux, a congenital defect of the heart or tracheo-bronchial tree, an immunodeficiency syndrome such as isolated IgA or IgG4 deficiency, or a concomitant inhalant allergy.

Anemia and Celiac Disease

What is Anemia?

Anemia is a condition that results from either a decrease in the size or number of red blood cells or the amount of hemoglobin, which is the red pigment in these
cells.

What Effects Does Anemia Have on Our Bodies?

Think of red blood cells as ships that deliver oxygen to all our organs, and hemoglobin as the crates on the ship that hold the oxygen. If there is a shortage in red blood cells (ships) or hemoglobin (crates), oxygen cannot get adequately delivered to our organs. Every part of our body needs oxygen to convert the food we eat to energy and heat. This function is vital to life and is why you feel tired and weak with anemia.

Standard Food Allergy Test Results

Thought that you all would find these interesting. These are sample test results from the Standard Food Allergy panel.

General Information on Lactose Intolerance

Lactose intolerance is the impaired ability to digest lactose (milk sugar). Lactose is a sugar naturally found in milk and is sometimes referred to as "milk sugar". 


It is digested by an enzyme called "lactase", which is found in the small intestines of most people. However, many people don't produce enough lactase to adequately digest milk sugar. These individuals are " intolerant" to milk sugar.

How Common Is Lactose Intolerance? 


More than 50 million Americans are lactose intolerant. 
Nearly two-thirds of the world's adult population has some degree of difficulty with digestion of milk sugar because of a lactase deficiency:

Milk Allergy - Case Studies

Case #1:

48 year old female with severe abdominal pain. Occasional gas and bloating. Five months prior to her office visit she started experiencing pain so severe that she was prescribed Vicodin.

Pain interfered with her sleep. When younger she was diagnosed with colitis. Blood food allergy testing demonstrated allergies to dairy, beef, and brewer’s yeast.

Elimination of allergenic foods, especially dairy, resulted in the complete resolution of her symptoms and she was able to discontinue her pain medication.

Along with the resolution of my pain was the enlightenment of how food allergies affect so many things in my general health. [Dr. Wangen’s] enthusiasm for maintaining overall health made me much more aware of caring for myself.

Kim N.