Many of the audience had not realised how serious coeliac disease is and that sufferers must eat gluten-free food for life.
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Presentation prepared for Toastmasters International Advanced Manual on Technical Presentations, Project 3. 29th March 2010.
symptoms: weight loss, diarrhoea, fatty stools, anaemia, low in calcium and other minerals/vitamins can be non-specific and discovered by screening
better diagnosis uncovers true rate of incidence means people ought not to suffer needlessly, but you can be asymptomatic, meaning no obvious symptoms, but damage occurs nonetheless Main problem is getting doctors to recognise the condition. Often don’t test
digestion starts with stomach small intestine absorbs nutrients, about 6 m long surface area of small intestine 10 x greater than skin surface
Autoimmune disorders arise from the immune system reacting to antigens. Gliadin an environmental antigen Immune system releases antibodies to combat gliadin proteins recognised as antigens, causing severe inflammation and flattening of villi In the United Kingdom , the National Insti tute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recomm ends screening for coeliac disease in patients with newly diagnosed chronic fatigue syndrome [59] and irritable bowel syndrome , [7] as we ll as in type 1 diabetic s, especially those with insuffic ient weight gain or unex plained weight loss
Because nutrients are not absorbed Shortage of iron Weakness, fatigue, lack of concentration, general malaise
Shortage of calcium Loss of bone density Broken bones difficult to heal, lack of mobility, pain
family of grains contain gluten (gliadin) protein, Triticeae, wheat, rye, barley, spelt Oats OK but often contaminated by other grains growing in field Seems to be a link to early introduction of grains into diet, before 3 months of age, breastfeeding can help prevent Also a genetic component. Some heredity
Foods coeliacs couldn’t normally eat but manufacturers are making substitutes Pasta, bread and flour available on prescription in UK Sales of GF food have tripled since 2004. True coeliac disease not helped by food fad image Difference - those who are coeliac show malabsorption problems. Those who find Gluten gives digestive problems do not show malabsorption problems
These types of foods may or may not be GF depending on brand, manufacturer, etc Mint jelly, stocks, cornflakes, potato crisps, ice cream, ready grated cheese can all contain flour
So much easier when foods are clearly labelled. Marvellous example in Spain. Big problem is eating out. Even though can choose GF foods, have they been contaminated by cooking? eg chips fried in oil used to fry batter?
sauces, gravies, batter, coatings, cross-contamination variable knowledge by waiters and kitchen staff
annual book of GF foods, magazine, research, recipes, information hand out foods