Celiac Disease and the Media EP026

The gluten-free movement is often dismissed in the media as a fad. Even so-called experts actively discredit the gluten-free diet and apply a negative connotation to terms like PWAG. Have you ever wondered why there is so much misinformation about celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity in the media? And who sponsors the coverage that dissuades people from going gluten-free?

Today, Nadine explains how the big business of wheat affects which voices we hear in media treatment of the gluten-free movement. In addition, she covers how the for-profit healthcare system in the US affects the timely diagnosis of celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity.

Celiac disease is a medical, social and economic issue with political implications. Listen and learn how to choose high quality, nutrient dense foods, and leverage your power as a gluten-free consumer!

What’s Discussed:

Misinformation in the media

• Some coverage dissuades from adopting a gluten-free diet
• Program/print sponsors may be corporations that depend on people eating wheat
• Wheat/grain industry threatened by rise of gluten-free diet (33% of people in US and Canada on variation of gluten free diet)

The illusion of options in the area of food production

• 8-10 corporations own nearly every food company
• Nadine patronizes farmer’s markets, co-ops and local companies

Nadine’s rules for buying food products

• Label must be clear, easy to read
• Five or fewer ingredients
• Must be able to picture each ingredient

The importance of reading labels

• May be gluten in products that are typically gluten-free (i.e.: pesto, kombucha)
• Companies are given six months to update labels after making changes
• Barley and rye are not on list of allergens

Nadine’s story

• Multi-system organ failure
• Negative test for celiac disease despite being homozygous gene carrier
• Healed quickly on a Paleo diet

Why countries with universal healthcare take celiac disease seriously

• Early diagnosis saves money
• Finland: 70% of people w/ celiac disease have been diagnosed
• Italy, UK and Canada: 30-40% have been diagnosed
• US: Less than 1% of those with celiac disease have been diagnosed

How long it takes to be diagnosed with celiac disease (for-profit vs. universal systems)

• US: 9-15 years
• Italy: 2-3 weeks

How doctors/experts discredit gluten-free as a fad

• Use PWAG as derogatory term
• Placebo effect
• Nocebo effect (expect to feel poorly)

The inaccuracy of blood tests for celiac disease

• 70% false negative

How companies profit from undiagnosed celiac patients

• Products geared toward people with health issues (i.e.: compression socks, hypoallergenic sheets)

The prominence of wheat as a publicly traded commodity

• Top export of US/Canada

The health risk associated with genetically modified wheat

The benefits of a gluten-free diet

• Symptoms resolve
• No longer need medicine, surgery

Nadine’s advice re: selecting gluten-free products

• Avoid nutrient deficient gluten-free options (cheap fillers, empty carbs)
• Focus on high quality, nutrient dense foods

How to leverage your power as a gluten-free consumer

• Hold food producers accountable (standards, production methods)
• ‘Vote carefully with your dollar’
• Speak up when you see inaccurate media coverage

Why you cannot assume that gluten-free menu items are truly free of gluten

• Uneducated restaurant staff
• Possibility of contamination, cross-contamination

What a ‘gluten free’ designation means in labeling

• GIG certification indicates less than ten parts per million
• Standard in US/Europe is less than 20 parts per million

The Gluten Free RN mission

• Educate people globally about celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity
• Empower people to improve their health and quality of life with food

Resources:

Food Company Infographic

Gluten Intolerance Group

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