Lecture by Doctor Peter Green

Update on celiac disease:
Doctor Peter Green and author Rory Jones will be giving a lecture on Monday, March 21st at 8:15 p.m., at 92nd Street Y, and Lexington Avenue at 92nd street, New York, New York, 10128. "Gain an understanding of the latest research on celiac disease and gluten sensitivity and why the rate of accurate diagnoses continues to lag in the United States.   Discover the latest advancements pertaining to these complicated conditions that can be diagnosed based upon clinical presentations, specific cereological tests, appropriate genetic testing and response to a gluten-free diet."

Doctor Peter Green established the Celiac Disease Center and is professor of clinical medicine at Columbia University Medical Center, and the author of Celiac Disease: A Hidden Epidemic.
Hope to see many of you there!

Gluten-Free Event Hosted by The Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University

The Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University has done a terrific job organizing events to benefit celiac disease. I have participated in various events put on at the center, many of which catered to teenagers with celiac disease. I have attended a picnic in a Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital courtyard, gone ice skating in Central Park, and was treated to a gluten-free lunch aboard a sailboat traveling the Hudson River. These events have also allowed me to collaborate with teens my age, and have, at times, provided me not only with a gluten-free meal, but a source of support. Columbia's Celiac Disease Center also includes an amalgamation of well-versed gastroenterologists, including the well-known Dr. Peter Green. His book, Celiac Disease: A Hidden Epidemic, has served as my main source of knowledge for the past five years. I was excited to receive this email, detailing another event hosted by the center!

Please join us in Central Park's Wollman Rink
for an ice skating party to benefit the
Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University.
This event is hosted by Emma Teitelbaum.
Date: Sunday, February 27, 2011
Time: 3:30 pm -- 6:00 pm
Location: Wollman Rink, Central Park, New York City
Best entry: 59th street & 6th Avenue. Follow the center path to the rink.

$75 per person includes priority admission to Wollman Rink, skate rental and gluten-free supper available in the Center's private rink side heated party tent.

Please register in advance by completing the attached form and mail to the address below. Please make checks payable to "Trustees of Columbia University"

Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University
Harkness Pavilion
180 Fort Washington Avenue
Suite 934
New York, NY 10032

Pala` Pizza

Yesterday afternoon, my family and I traveled to New York City to celebrate New Years Day at Pala`, a delicious restaurant with an array of gluten-free options, located on Allen Street. Pala` has proved to be not only one of the best tasting gluten-free restaurants, but one of the most conscious ones that I have encountered. Both the waitstaff and kitchen staff are well versed in the care that must be taken in order to ensure that there is no threat of cross-contamination. Our pizza was delivered on a serving board clearly labeled gluten-free, and a dedicated fryer is used when accommodating gluten-free customers. Our appetizers included a proscuitto dish (naturally gluten-free), and potato croquettes, which were breaded in gluten-free breadcrumbs, and fried. For the main courses, I ordered bucatini alla matriciana, a pasta dish complete with pancetta and a spicy tomato sauce, and stole a piece of the gluten-free Inferno pizza from my family. For dessert, I enjoyed a flour-less chocolate cake! I highly recommend Pala` to any celiac visiting New York City because of the level of care that is put into creating both a delicious and safe gluten-free menu. Check out the link to the restaurant to view the menu: http://www.pala-ny.com/
Pictured with me is Phillip, our favorite waiter!

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!