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.                     

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.