Why get a definitive diagnosis of Celiac Disease? November 15, 2008

Some people are diagnosing themselves with celiac disease. It is important to get a definitive diagnosis. If you have already begun the gluten free diet the tests for celiac disease will be negative so don’t start the diet until you have been diagnosed.

Why?

This information is from the Gluten Intolerance Group.

People that have celiac disease or dermatitis herpetiformis are at greater risk than the general population for developing one or more of the associated autoimmune diseases listed below:

• Addison’s Disease
• Autoimmune Chrinic Active Hepatitis
• Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (Type 1)
• Myasthenia Gravis
• Pernicious Anemia
• Raynaud’s Phenomenon
• Scleroderma
• Sjogren’s Syndrome
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
• Thyroid Disease
• Grave’s Disease
• Hashimoto’s Disease

These disorders hare common genetic and immunological linkages with CD and DH.  Although these conditions are not directly a result of having CD or DH, the tendency to develop associated immune diseases is higher in persons with celiac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis.  The tendency to develop autoimmune diseases is believed to be genetically influenced.

In an autoimmune disorder, the cells of the immune system produce antibodies and other cellular products that begin to react against normal, healthy tissue, causing inflammation and damage.

This is not a complete listing of autoimmune diseases associated with CD and DH.  Anyone who has unexplained, persistent, or recurring symptoms should consult a qualified physician for an evaluation.

This information is from a pamphlet from the Gluten Intolerance Group:

31214 124th Ave SE
Auburn, WA 98092-3667
Phone: 253-833-6655
Fax: 253-833-6675

Yogi Tea – gluten free information November 12, 2008

I bought some Yogi Tea the other day.  When I got it home I re-read the ingredients and noticed that under Other Ingredients they listed Natural Coconut Flavor and Natural Butterscotch Flavor.  There was no indication of what the flavors were made from.  I went to their Website and found:

Natural Flavors Natural flavors are derived from natural sources such as spices, fruit, herbs, roots, or many other plants or foods, whose significant function in food is flavoring.

Of course, this isn’t enough information to find out if the food includes gluten.  I emailed the company and received a prompt reply, within couple of hours:

Dear Kathy:  

 Thank you for the email.   There is no gluten in any of the natural flavors.  Four teas contain barley malt.  They are the Fasting Tea, Calming Tea, Stomach Ease Tea and the Kava Stress Relief Tea.   

Best wishes,   Valerie Crowley Customer Service Representative

Golden Temple, Peace Cereal, Yogi Tea

Phone:  1-800-285-6457 ext. 550

Websites:  www.peacecereal.com, www.yogitea.com www.whaguruchew.com

I hope this information will help someone else wondering about the ingredients in Yogi Tea.  I like their teas.