Bellingham, WA - ROCK-Raising Our Celiac Kids

Please announce and share with any interested caregivers:

The first meeting of the Bellingham chapter of ROCK-Raising Our Celiac Kids.

ROCK is a national support group for all caregivers of gluten-free kids. If you have questions about celiac disease, or desire more information about being gluten-free, please check out the group's web site, www.celiackids.com and join us.

We will gather at the Community Food Coop building on Saturday January 20th from 1-3pm. Children are welcome to come and stay with you for the meeting.

Our following meetings will be held on 2/10/07, 3/10/07 and from then through June on the 3rd Saturday of the month at the Co-op connections building.

Always optimistic in outlook, we can help you find the right places to shop for gluten free grains, flours, and prepared foods. We will be sharing our recipes for gluten free goodies that all ages enjoy.

Facilitated by naturopath- Dr. Jean McFadden Layton

If you need more information, please call Natural Health Bellingham at 360-734-1659.

This group has no dues or fees, donations are accepted to cover costs of the meetings.

Attached is a WORD doc flyer suitable for bulletin board placement.

Background:

The cause of Celiac Disease, also known as celiac sprue, or gluten sensitive enteropathy (GSE), is unknown. Research indicates that celiac disease is strongly associated with a group of genes on Chromosome 6. These genes (HLA class II) are involved in the regulation of the body's immune response to the gluten protein fractions.

One out of 100 people in the United States is affected with celiac disease. celiac disease occurs in 5-15% of the offspring and siblings of a person with celiac disease. In 70% of identical twin pairs, both twins have the disease. It is strongly suggested that family members be tested, even if asymptomatic. Family members who have an autoimmune disease are at a 25% increased risk of having celiac disease.

Celiac Disease (celiac disease) is unique in that a specific food component, gluten, has been identified as the trigger. Gluten is the common name for the offending proteins in specific cereal grains that are harmful to persons with celiac disease. These proteins are found in all forms of wheat (including durum, semolina, spelt, kamut, einkorn, and faro), and related grains: rye, barley, spelt and triticale and must be eliminated.

Symptoms

Celiac Disease may appear at any time in a person's life. The disease can be triggered for the first time after surgery, viral infection, severe emotional stress, pregnancy or childbirth. celiac disease is a multi-system, multi-symptom disorder. Symptoms are extremely varied and can often mimic other bowel disorders. Infants, toddlers, and children often exhibit growth failure, vomiting, bloated abdomen and behavioral changes.

Classic symptoms may include:

• abdominal cramping, intestinal gas, distention and bloating
  
• chronic diarrhea or constipation (or both)
  
• steatorrhea -- fatty stools
  
• anemia - unexplained, due to folic acid, B12, or iron deficiency (or all)
  
• weight loss with large appetite, or weight gain
  

Other symptoms:

• dental enamel defects
  
• osteopenia, osteoporosis
  
• bone or joint pain
  
• fatigue, weakness and lack of energy
  
• infertility - male/female
  
• depression
  
• Aphthous ulcers
  

Dermatitis Herpetiformis (DH) is skin manifestation of celiac disease characterized by blistering, intensely itchy skin. The rash has a symmetrical distribution and is most frequently found on the face, elbows, knees and buttocks. DH patients can have gastrointestinal damage without perceptible symptoms.

Treatment

The only treatment for celiac disease/DH is the lifelong adherence to a gluten-free diet. When gluten is removed from the diet, the small intestine will start to heal and overall health improves. Medication is not normally required. Because osteoporosis is common and may be profound in patients with newly diagnosed celiac disease, bone density should be measured at or shortly after diagnosis. Consult your physician regarding specific nutritional supplementation to correct any deficiencies. The diagnosed celiac should have medical follow-up to monitor the clinical response to the gluten-free diet. Dietary compliance increases the quality of life and decreases the likelihood of osteoporosis, intestinal lymphoma and other associated illnesses.

Adapting to the gluten-free diet requires some lifestyle changes. It is essential to read labels which are often imprecise, and to learn how to identify ingredients that may contain hidden gluten.

Be aware that hidden gluten can be found in some unlikely foods such as: cold cuts, soups, hard candies, soy sauce, many low or non-fat products, even licorice and jelly beans.

Potential harmful ingredients include:

• unidentified starch
  
• modified food starch
  
• hydrolyzed vegetable protein - HVP
  
• hydrolyzed plant protein - HPP
  
• texturized vegetable protein - TVP
  
• binders
  
• fillers
  
• excipients
  
• extenders
  
• malt
  

Gluten may also be used as a binder in some pharmaceutical products. Request clarification from food and drug manufacturers when necessary.

Raising Our Celiac (and Gluten-Free) Kids-Bellingham Chapter

Dr. Jean McFadden Layton-coordinator

1329 Lincoln St. Suite 3

Bellingham WA 98229

360-734-1659