As I mentioned in my last blog, the biocard  test for celiac disease is now available at Rexall Pharmacies as well as Pharma Plus. The test is described in the most recent Canadian health & lifestyle magazine (spring 2009).  The biocard test is a Health Canada approved diagnostic screening test that is fast and affordable. You have the results in just 10 minutes. It is important to read the fine print at the bottom of the ad. If you test positive, you  should see your doctor, and continue with a regular diet under their supervision until the diagnosis is confirmed with a small bowel biopsy.

Note: The biocard test does not take the place of a biopsy but is a useful tool in getting a biopsy more quickly if you test positive. As the ad implies, you must still be ingesting foods with  gluten when you take either test.

This test can also be purchased on line at www.celiachometest.comgluten

For more info, go to www.celiachometest.com

The article-’Confessions of a Celiac ‘ is a worthwhile read -find it in the same magazine pgs.54-56

Check out my new website at www.edible-options.com

Recently, at our local  Canadian Celiac Association chapter meeting, we had as guest speaker, the CCA President, Janet Dalziel who gave a report on the 13th Annual Symposium  on Celiac Disease which she attended in Amsterdam. Researchers, scientists, and doctors from around the world attend these symposiums to discuss the latest in the area of celiac disease and possible advances in the future.

Here are a just a few of the comments Janet made which I thought were interesting:

1. People who get celiac disease as an adult do not fit into the usual stereotype . In fact  49% are overweight as opposed to being underweight.

2.Even though we know celiac disease existed in ancient times, it is becoming thought of more as a modern disease  due to the increased prevalence (a 5x increase). This may be because of the spread of the western diet.

3.Many people are now beng referred by neurologists.

4.It is predicted that in ten years, genetic testing may replace the biopsy.

3. People born in the summer months seem to have a higher incidence of celiac disease.

4. Malnutrition in underdevelpoed world may be undiagnosed celiac disease. At some time in the future, mass screening may considered.

Other general comments not relating to the symposium were;

1. Blood screening tests are covered in every province in Canada except Ontario. (If your doctor has hospital priviledges, you may be covered, otherwise, no) . There is a addvocy group looking to have this changed. The cost is around $200./person. If a family is tested and is not covered, this can be very expensive.

2. Cambells Soup is going to be represented at our Canadian National Conference coming up at the end of May in Waterloo, Ontario. The Bio Card home test for celiac disease is now available at Rexall Pharmacies. This shows the growing interest of large companies  in celiac disease as a market.

3. A new product which is said to improve the quality of gluten-free bread is inulin. I have not yet tested this ingredient but anything that would help the quality of most GF breads would be welcomed.

Hope to see you at the National Celiac Conference May 29-31.

Shirley Hartung