Researchers Seem To Be Totally Lost On Celiac Studies

[tex]

Hi All,

Consider two scientific research articles about pediatric celiac disease, both published this year, and both based on data submitted by leading researchers in celiac studies, but get this — they basically reach opposite conclusions.

The first one (published in March) concludes:

We show that infants genetically susceptible to CD who are exposed to gluten early mount an immune response against gluten and develop CD autoimmunity more frequently than at-risk infants in which gluten exposure is delayed until 12 months of age.

So they recommend waiting until the infant is at least 12 months of age before introducing gluten into the diet. And note that Dr. Alessio Fasano's name is included in the list of authors.

http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Ad ... ne.0033387

The second article (published in September) concludes:

Our findings suggest that infant feeding and early infections, but not early vaccinations, have a causal role in the celiac disease etiology and that the infant feeding practice – gradually introducing gluten-containing foods from 4 months of age, preferably during ongoing breastfeeding – is favorable.

So this author recommends introducing gluten into an infant's diet beginning at the age of 4 months, and if you read the article at the last link listed below, you will understand why.

http://umu.diva-portal.org/smash/record ... 5154&rvn=1

Here's an easier-to-read version:

http://sciencenordic.com/counter-coelia ... ly-glutens

Now, note that the first study was based on only 26 subjects, and they were followed only up to the age of 24 months. The second study was based on data collected about 12-year-olds who were born in 1993, and another group who were born in 1997 (after standard pediatric feeding recommendations concerning the introduction of gluten into the diet had been changed).

So who's right? Does anyone else here get the same impression that I do, namely that certain leading celiac researchers appear to be pretty much totally lost, and with every new discovery, they become even more lost. Can any of them be trusted to turn out reliable data?

But they all miss the main point — gluten should never be introduced into the diet of anyone, let alone someone who has a celiac gene. Adding gluten to the diet imposes a spectrum of diseases that are just waiting to happen, and sooner or later, some of them will happen.

Tex

[Fish2575]

I couldn't agree with you more Tex! I am fairly certain, due to the results of some diabetes studies that my kids are a part of, that 3 of my four kids have the gene for celiac. We are strictly GF, and I believe that gluten may be a trigger for type I diabetes. I don't understand why it isn't more studied. The same gene responsible for type I diabetes is responsible for celiac disease. People know this! I hope the medical community stops trying to prevent mass panic and upheaval of the food industry, and starts to worry about the future of our health!

Susie

Unfortunately I wish I had this info earlier. All of my kids were exposed to gluten at the beginning of life through breastfeeding. Even my youngest, who had severe food intolerances through breastfeeding, has the gene for Celiac, but I didn't know until she was over a year old! Maddening!