When faced with new information, it’s important to consider the source. Stop for a moment and examine whether the material is coming from someone with YOUR best interests at heart. The Gluten Free RN has just returned from the Columbia University Celiac Disease Conference, and she is breaking down the information presented to determine what’s useful—and what might be tainted by the pharmaceutical or food industry agenda.
Nadine begins with a workshop led by General Mills that offered some questionable information about how grains are processed at their factories and a talk led by University of Chicago faculty on the topic of a gluten challenge. She also speaks to the differences between celiac management in the US and countries with universal healthcare like Italy and Australia.
Nadine covers new testing that detects gluten exposure in stool or urine and what that reveals about the systemic nature of gluten damage as well as her take on practitioners who perpetuate the myth that grains are necessary and nutritious. Listen in for the Gluten Free RN’s insight around pharmaceutical treatments for celiac disease and the danger in volunteering for studies backed by drug companies.
What’s Discussed:
The two programs available at Colombia’s 2018 conference
- Clinical (nurses, RDs and laypeople)
- International (doctors, scientists, industry and VC)
How celiac disease is managed in Italy
- Presentation by Dr. Carolina Ciacci
- Law mandates gluten-free options
Nadine’s frustration with the General Mills presentation
- Major sponsor of conference
- Claim to separate grains at factory
Nadine’s take on gluten-free Cheerios
- Should be avoided, not truly gluten-free
Nadine’s confusion around Dr. Bana Jabri’s comments
- Wouldn’t put ‘potential celiac patient’ on gluten-containing diet
- Did not include patients with positive antibody test but negative biopsy
Why the biopsy for celiac disease is problematic
- Only tests one foot into duodenum
- GI tract is 30 feet in length
Nadine’s insight on a gluten-free challenge
- No possible benefit for patient
- Unnecessary, unethical
The systemic nature of gluten damage
- New tests detect gluten exposure in stool, urine
- Urine test indicates passage through every system
Nadine’s stance on pharmaceutical treatments for celiac disease
- No pill or vaccine will treat or cure CD
- Harmful to people in studies
The myth that grains are necessary and nutritious
- Practitioners who perpetuate are ‘toeing company line’
Why it’s important to understand the source of your information
- Should be untainted by pharmaceutical money, agenda
Australia’s requirements for gluten-free food
- Standard of less than 3 ppm
Resources:
Connect with Nadine:
‘Your Skin on Gluten’ on YouTube
Books by Nadine:
Dough Nation: A Nurse’s Memoir of Celiac Disease from Missed Diagnosis to Food and Heal
