Celiac disease and other autoimmune disorders

I recently read an article by Doctor Alessio Fasano head of the Center for Celiac Disease at the University of Maryland.  Doctor Fasano is one of the leading experts on celiac disease; his research has linked the human protein zonulin to the development of autoimmune diseases such as Type 1 diabetes, celiac disease, and multiple sclerosis. The article centered on the comorbidity between celiac disease and the onset of other various autoimmune disorders.  This article presented two hypotheses; the first proposed that untreated celiac disease leads to the onset of other autoimmune disorders with the existence of a genetic predisposition.  The gliadin-induced inflammatory process that results from a patient with celiac disease who ingests gluten results in antigen "spreading" from further processing of autoantigens.  This has primarily been studied in patients with Type 1 Diabetes.  Studies also found that the prevalence of other autoimmune disorders increased with age.  First degree relatives of those with celiac disease were also at increased risk for other autoimmune disorders.  The second hypothesis proposed the idea that celiac disease and other autoimmune disorders were related because of a linkage disequilibrium.  Unsure of what this meant, I discovered that a linkage disequilibrium is a nonrandom association of alleles at two or more loci.  The association can, however, occur on more than one chromosome.  This presents a condition in which some allele combinations can occur more or less frequently in a population.  Studies performed based on this model found that the increased age of a celiac disease diagnosis corresponded to an increase in other autoimmune conditions.  I found the connections between celiac disease and Type 1 Diabetes particularly interesting.  An early exposure to gluten (in formulas used during the first three months of life) increased the prevalence of islet cell antibodies and the occurrence of Type 1 Diabetes.  The article identified that related autoimmune disorders can be organ specific or non-organ specific.  I would, in the future, like to further explore the genetics behind celiac disease.  There is still so much to discover within the field of genetics; perhaps one day it may be possible to alter our genes and halt the onset of celiac disease.  Doctor Fasano's work with the protein zonulin was particularly interesting; I wonder if there may be an underlying correlation between celiac disease and multiple sclerosis.  I experienced brain demyelination due to malnutrition, and am curious to discover if celiac disease may relate to, or cause m.s., another autoimmune disorder.                     

Vitamin D Deficiency & Fall Festival

After the results of my latest blood test, it was determined that I was Vitamin D deficient. I was confused, as I often try to eat a well-balanced diet, and sit outside in the sun! After some online research, however, I discovered that celiac disease, as well as other autoimmune diseases can also cause a Vitamin D deficiency. This deficiency might also explain my slightly elevated blood sugar levels- more blood tests to figure this out.
I recommend yearly blood tests for those with celiac disease- and for all celiacs to stick to a gluten-free diet; the symptoms may have been much more severe had I not kept track of what I eat.

This past Saturday was the Fall Festival Reimagined at the Poughkeepsie Day School. I once again found a few people with the disease, and many who were familiar with it. I also met one of my sister's classmates with celiac disease; thankfully she enjoyed My Kidz Gluten Free :)

Miles of Hope Craft Show

The Miles of Hope Craft Show, presented by the Dutchess Chapter of the Women's Council of Realtors, was a huge success! All admission donations benefited Miles of Hope, as well as the raffles that many of the vendors contributed too. I made a gluten-free basket, full of pasta, baking mixes, cookies and PEEPS! I met many people with celiac, all eager to try My Kidz. It was surprising as to how many people knew someone else with celiac disease.
I also met Regina, the owner of another local company called Gourmetibles. She just launched a gluten-free line of her products! I tried her gluten-free PB and Pretzel candy- it was delicious! Check out their website: http://www.gourmetible.com/cart/

Gluten-Free at Nature's Pantry

My sister and I checking out My Kidz Gluten Free Products at Nature's Pantry in Fishkill, NY.
Don't forget- Craft Show next week- My Kidz will be there!

Upcoming Events

Upcoming events for My Kidz Gluten-Free Products
1. October 21st- Women's Council of Realtors Dutchess County Chapter 2010 Craft Show.
http://milesofhope.org/news/tag/event/ (Read the flyer- Gluten-Free Bread Loaves!)
Event will benefit the "Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation"
2. November 20th- Poughkeepsie Day School Fall Festival
http://www.poughkeepsieday.org/newsStory.aspx?pageId=79646
HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Hudson Valley Fresh

As a teen with celiac disease, I have become increasingly conscious of the foods I consume. Not only does this awareness include gluten-free products, but also includes the types of milk we drink. The Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH) is a genetically engineered hormone injected into cows in order to increase milk production. Many companies continue to use rBGH, even though groups have begun to take notice of the adverse effects of the hormone. The Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone has been shown to stimulate increased production of the Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF-I), a hormone in humans that promotes childhood growth and also plays a role in adult metabolism. Date has also emerged that shows correlations between increased levels of the Insulin-like Growth factor and cancers. For example, IFG-I has been shown to serve as a mitogen for prostate cells, and unchecked cell growth results in cancer.
These larger companies not only add unnecessary chemicals to their milk, but mistreat the cows as well. Cows are kept in large facilities with little space and grazing areas. Conditions are often unclean, and it is fairly easy for a sick cow to continue to give milk, even though she should be quarantined.
Local economies are damaged as well. Small dairy farmers lose business and are unable to keep their farms running.
Hudson Valley Fresh is a local, profit-free milk cooperative. The company receives their milk from less than ten dairy families. There is no mixing of the milk, and the company assures its customers that no antibiotics or hormones are added. Furthermore, Hudson Valley Fresh promotes the local economy, as each cow brings $15,000 into the economy each year.
With the help of Arlington High School's principal, Dr. Lyons, I am trying to collaborate with the kitchen management. We hope to institure the sale of Hudson Valley Fresh by next year.
Last Wednesday I visited Plankenhorn Farms, a local dairy farm run by Dr. Sam Simon, one of the founders of Hudson Valley Fresh.

Breakfast of Champions

Today, the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce held the "Breakfast of Champions", which took place at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie, NY.
One local deli, Cucina D'Amore, located on Titusville Road, sells my bread fresh every Friday, and the owner, George, asked us to share a booth with him during this event. His many Boars Head Products are a perfect gluten free compliment for my bread. There were approximately 1,400 people at the event, and since 1 out of every 133 people has celiac disease, we met several celiacs.
Pictured with me is George, owner of Cucina D'Amore and his son.

5K for Celiac!

This past Saturday, June 12th, I participated in the Treetops to Rooftops 5K that took place on the Walkway Over the Hudson. I ran for celiac disease, along with my guidance counsler Mrs. Miller, and Mrs. Sotland and her family. My finishing time was 32:08, and I collected approximately $200.00, which will be donated to the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center. My guidance counsler, Mrs. Miller, pictured with me, was instrumental in helping with this event.

Gluten-Free Tasting at Nature's Pantry

Last Sunday, I was invited to visit Nature's Pantry in Newburgh, NY, for a taste testing of my gluten-free bread (My Kidz!). It was a nice way to promote awareness about the disease, as well as give those with celiac a chance to sample some products. We were also joined by Heidi's Gluten-Free Greatness. Heidi's company is also local. Her brownies were delicious!
Hopefully we will be able to do another taste-testing soon!

Rock Da Pasta

The Hudson Valley Celiac Support Group was visited by Judy Steele, owner of New Paltz's Rock Da Pasta, a restaurant that offers delicious gluten-free pasta. I tried the restaurant's pesto pasta and garlic bread. The flavor was delicious! I was also glad to hear that Judy uses local and organic produce, which is often healthier, and also promotes the local economy.

My Story

Hello. My name is Chynna, and I am a 16 year-old teen living with celiac disease. My story, however, begins a few years ago, the summer before seventh grade. During my yearly checkup, my pediatrician noticed that I had experienced total growth arrest. My mother had noticed that something was wrong earlier (I frequently stumbled, and had terrible headaches), but her ideas were often dismissed. Thus, my family and I began a journey that included various hospital visits throughout the northeast. An M.R.I. indicated demyelination, or the fraying of the myelin sheaths on my cerebellum. The doctors we visited warned us of the possibility of tumors and M.S., both of which could have impaired my growth. However, after several months of many visits to the doctor, a wonderful endocrinologist decided to test me for celiac disease. Finally, we had an answer!
Our family was relieved by this diagnosis. Celiac disease can be easily managed, as long as one adheres to a gluten-free diet for the rest of their life. My headaches were not as severe and I grew several inches in only a year and a half.
I decided to embrace my disease, instead of hiding celiac from the world. After a few years of experimenting with different recipes, my family and I came up with the ideal bread recipe. I have started a bread company, My Kidz Gluten Free Products. The company sells at various health food stores in Dutchess County, New York.
I started this bread company in order to provide those with celiac (and primarily, young children), with a gluten-free bread that tasted no different from a slice of "wheat bread". No one should feel alienated at a party, or at school, because of their specialized diet.
My goal is to continue to increase awareness not only in Dutchess County, but throughout the country.