Sales of gluten-free products increase as diet becomes trendy

A gluten-free diet is good for those who can't digest wheat or have celiac disease, but the diet is becoming popular among health-conscious celebrities, such as Oprah Winfrey. That popularity means manufacturers such as General Mills and Anheuser-Busch InBev are creating products to keep up with the trend. The gluten-free market is expected to reach $1.68 billion in the U.S. and $3.38 billion worldwide in 2015.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/09/29/uk-food-glutenfree-idUSLNE78S00W20110929

Study looks at differences in celiac disease treatments

Practicing gastroenterologists and academic experts treat celiac disease differently, according to a study in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology. The study found they differ in their use of IgA anti-endomysial antibodies, human leukocyte antigen DQ2/8 testing, gluten challenge and oat consumption, and academics were more likely to recommend celiac testing for Type 1 diabetics, people with Down and Turner syndromes and relatives of people with celiac disease. http://www.beckersasc.com/gastroenterology-and-endoscopy/celiac-disease-treatment-differs-between-physicians-and-academics.html

Nutritionist focuses on gluten-free, dairy-free recipes

Ontario nutritionist Kathy Smart has celiac disease and a dairy allergy, which led her to write a cookbook called "Live the Smart Way" that will be turned into an eight-part TV series featuring easy recipes that are gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, and wheat or dairy-free. Smith says the TV show is not just about cooking, however, because she also plans to talk about staying healthy and good lifestyle habits. http://www.standard-freeholder.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3325485

Gliadin challenge can help patients get celiac diagnosis

Patients who do not get a confirmed celiac diagnosis from standard tests could obtain one from an in vitro gliadin challenge, in which biopsied duodenal mucosa are tested using the toxic part of wheat gluten called gliadin, according to a study in the American Journal of Gastroenterology. University of Salerno researchers said the challenge method is helpful for patients who are on a gluten-free diet prior to the biopsy because they do not have to revert to eating gluten foods to achieve the diagnosis. http://www.nature.com/ajg/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/ajg2011311a.html