What is Celiac?

Celiac disease is a serious, lifelong, gastrointestinal disorder that can cause a wide spectrum of clinical symptoms such us diarrhea, abdominal distension, weight loss, malnutrition and skin disorders due to permanent intolerance to gluten, a complex mixture of proteins found in wheat, barley and rye.

No two people with Celiac disease experience the disease the same way, making it extremely difficult to diagnose. Celiac symptoms are numerous and varied and do not occur at any specific time in the life of a Celiac patient. Patients often feel “lousy” for as long as 10 years while continuing to eat gluten, since they don’t know what is wrong.

Celiac Symptoms, Causes, Diet and Testing

1. Who’s at risk?
2. Timeframe for diagnosis?
3. Hidden gluten?
4. Are you eligible for medical expenses?
5. Wheat flour substitutes?
6. Is the future optimistic?
7. How common is Celiac disease?

1. Did you know that the following groups of individuals have an increased incidence of Celiac disease?

• Approximately 1 in 10 relatives of Celiac patients will also have Celiac disease
• Approximately 1 in 20 individuals with Type I diabetes will also have Celiac disease
• Approximately 5-10% of individuals suffering from anemia will also have Celiac disease
• Approximately 10% of European Irish will test positive for Celiac disease

The Good News: There is a great deal of promising research in the area of Celiac disease management. The Biocard™ Celiac Test can provide you with an immediate, at home diagnosis.

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2. Did you know that the average timeframe for diagnosis of Celiac disease in Canada is 10 years? Because the symptoms can range from mild to severe and there is no definitive symptom (other than Dermatitis Hepitaformis), Celiac disease can often be overlooked. Generally, Celiac testing in Canada requires a physician to first consider Celiac disease as a potential cause of the symptoms. Once considered, Celiac blood tests are taken which can take up to 3 weeks for results and may provide a reasonable diagnosis. Depending on the province and the patients’ medical plan, a fee may be required for these tests. However, a confirmed diagnosis is best obtained with a biopsy of the small intestine.

The Good News: To avoid this long wait, the Biocard™ Celiac Test can provide immediate results in the convenience of your own home.

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3. Did you know gluten can be hidden in the following foods?

• Candy such as licorice, gum and some chocolates
• Lipsticks
• Herbal supplements
• Drugs and over the counter medicines
• Processed luncheon meats
• Imitation bacon
• Imitation seafood
• Marinades
• Self-basting poultry
• Soy sauce
• Broth and soup bases
• Breading, coating mixes, bread crumbs, croutons

THE ABOVE LIST IS NOT ALL INCLUSIVE.

Watch for the following terms which may indicate the presence of Gluten.

• Hydrolyzed vegetable protein
• Caramel colour
• Modified starch
• Malt or Malt flavoring

The Good News: Health Canada has recognized that the labeling of food allergens needs to be enhanced and is accepting comments from the public to be taken into consideration for the final revised regulations which will be published in the Canada Gazette, Part II. For more information, please see Health Canada’s website here.

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4. Did you know that as a Canadian diagnosed with Celiac disease (with a certificate from a medical Doctor), you may be eligible to make Canada Revenue Agency medical expense claims for the incremental cost of Gluten-Free products? Please go to the Canada Revenue Agency site here where you can obtain additional information on how to complete your tax return.

Note: If you were diagnosed with Celiac disease and followed a gluten free diet in the tax years 2000 and 2001, you may be eligible for additional retroactive Tax Credits (called Disability Tax Credits) for those years. Please visit the Canada Revenue Agency website for additional information.

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5. Did you know that you can substitute 1 cup of wheat flour for the following?

• 3/4 cup of plain cornmeal (coarse grind)
• 1 cup of plain cornmeal (fine grind)
• 5/8 cup potato flour
• 3/4 cup rice flour

Note: When using substitute starches and flours, you may find the recipe turns out best if you bake the food longer and at a lower temperature.

Note: Health Canada released its position on Oats in a celiac diet. For more information, see the Health Canada website here.

The Good News: Don’t be discouraged if you do not see immediate improvement in your symptoms once you switch to a gluten free diet. It can take up to two years for the existing damage to the intestinal villi to repair itself. During this time, the IgA autoantibody levels will decrease. In some cases, the amount of antibodies will often become undetectable a few weeks after a change in the diet or within six months. The Biocard™ Celiac test is a good tool for monitoring the effect of a gluten free diet. A successful gluten free diet in a Celiac patient will result in a negative Biocard™ Celiac test result because the auto antibody levels will decrease beyond a detectable amount.

Note: A gluten free diet should only be started after consulting with your medical doctor.

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6. Did you know that the future is optimistic? There is a lot of promising research into Celiac disease including:

• Vaccines
• Enzyme research similar to lactase for lactose intolerance
• Medication that blocks the gene for Celiac Disease (DQ2)

The Good News: The future in Celiac diagnosis is now. The Biocard™ Celiac Test is the first home test licensed by Health Canada for the diagnosis of Celiac disease (December 2007).

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7. Did you know that Celiac disease is?

• Twice as common as Crohn’s Disease, Cystic Fibrosis and Ulcerative Colitis combined?
• More common than Alzheimer’s Disease?
• More common than Rheumatoid Arthritis?
• More common than Type 1 Diabetes?
• More common than Autism?

The Good News: There is a great deal of promising research in the area of Celiac disease management. The Biocard™ Celiac Test can provide you with an immediate, at home diagnosis.

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