May is Celiac Awareness Month and I am pleased to be collaborating with the Canadian Celiac Association to produce podcasts to support their theme of “Beyond the Gut”.  

The CCA hosted a conference on The State of Celiac bringing together researchers, doctors, dietitians, food producers, influencers and others who had a stake in the future of celiac disease and the gluten free diet.  I was fortunate to attend this event and was able to have short interviews with some of the speakers and attendees.  During this last week of Celiac Awareness Month, the podcast will consist of five interviews each highlighting one of the speakers and topics that I found of interest. 

We are all looking for a better treatment for Celiac Disease.  The gluten free diet is effective, but as we’ve seen it’s not a completely gluten free diet because of test restrictions etc., and it is difficult.  The research panel at the State of Celiac event had a presentation on a new treatment for celiac that is currently in clinical trials.  The more I learned, the more interested I became.  My conversation on this episode is with that panelist, Kristen Neff of ImmunsanT and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to ask her more about their research and a potential therapy.

For more information on celiac disease and the gluten free diet please check out the CCA website at www.celiac.ca.

Sue’s Websites and Social Media –

Podcast https://acanadianceliacpodcast.libsyn.com

Podcast Blog – https://www.acanadianceliacblog.com

Facebook – @acanadianceliacpodcast

Twitter – CeliacPodcastCA

Email – acdnceliacpodcast@gmail.com

Baking Website – https://www.suesglutenfreebaking.com

Instagram – @suesgfbaking

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUVGfpD4eJwwSc_YjkGagza06yYe3ApzL

     (search Sues Gluten Free Baking)

Email – sue@suesglutenfreebaking.com

Other Podcast – Gluten Free Weigh In – https://glutenfreeweighin.libsyn.com

My Thoughts –

I will be summarizing my thoughts at the end of the week on The State of Celiac event, so for now, this blog is providing the player below and we’ll catch up with my input later.

May is Celiac Awareness Month and I am pleased to be collaborating with the Canadian Celiac Association to produce podcasts to support their theme of “Beyond the Gut”.

The CCA hosted a conference on The State of Celiac bringing together researchers, doctors, dietitians, food producers, influencers and others who had a stake in the future of celiac disease and the gluten free diet.  I was fortunate to attend this event and was able to have short interviews with some of the speakers and attendees.  During this last week of Celiac Awareness Month, the podcast will consist of five interviews each highlighting one of the speakers and topics that I found of interest.

I had the opportunity to speak with Michael Abbott who is the Section Head of the Food Allergy and Food Intolerance Assessment Section which is in the Bureau of Chemical Safety in the Food Directorate at Health Canada.  Michael was a panelist at the State of Celiac Leadership Forum and he mentioned the new regulations for beer labelling.  I wanted to know more, and I thought my listeners would be interested also.

For more information on celiac disease and the gluten free diet please check out the CCA website at www.celiac.ca.

 

Sue’s Websites and Social Media –

Podcast https://acanadianceliacpodcast.libsyn.com

Podcast Blog – https://www.acanadianceliacblog.com

Facebook – @acanadianceliacpodcast

Twitter – CeliacPodcastCA

Email – acdnceliacpodcast@gmail.com

Baking Website – https://www.suesglutenfreebaking.com

Instagram – @suesgfbaking

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUVGfpD4eJwwSc_YjkGagza06yYe3ApzL

(search Sues Gluten Free Baking)

Email – sue@suesglutenfreebaking.com

Other Podcast – Gluten Free Weigh In – https://glutenfreeweighin.libsyn.com

My Thoughts –

I will be summarizing my thoughts at the end of the week on The State of Celiac event, so for now, this blog is providing the player below and we’ll catch up with my input later.

May is Celiac Awareness Month and I am pleased to be collaborating with the Canadian Celiac Association to produce podcasts to support their theme of “Beyond the Gut”.  

The CCA hosted a conference on The State of Celiac bringing together researchers, doctors, dietitians, food producers, influencers and others who had a stake in the future of celiac disease and the gluten free diet.  I was fortunate to attend this event and was able to have short interviews with some of the speakers and attendees.  During this last week of Celiac Awareness Month, the podcast will consist of five interviews each highlighting one of the speakers and topics that I found of interest. 

This episode I talk with Jerry Bigam, President and CEO of Kinnikinnick Food Inc., located in Edmonton, Alberta.  Jerry has seen numerous changes in the gluten free food industry during his many years in the business.  We chat about the changes that Jerry sees happening now and the trends he has identified that we, as gluten free consumers should be aware of.  As informed consumers, there is action we can take to keep our favourite foods on store shelves.

For more information on celiac disease and the gluten free diet please check out the CCA website at www.celiac.ca.

Sue’s Websites and Social Media –

Podcast https://acanadianceliacpodcast.libsyn.com

Podcast Blog – https://www.acanadianceliacblog.com

Facebook – @acanadianceliacpodcast

Twitter – CeliacPodcastCA

Email – acdnceliacpodcast@gmail.com

Baking Website – https://www.suesglutenfreebaking.com

Instagram – @suesgfbaking

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUVGfpD4eJwwSc_YjkGagza06yYe3ApzL

     (search Sues Gluten Free Baking)

Email – sue@suesglutenfreebaking.com

Other Podcast – Gluten Free Weigh In – https://glutenfreeweighin.libsyn.com

My Thoughts –

I will be summarizing my thoughts at the end of the week on The State of Celiac event, so for now, this blog is providing the player below and we’ll catch up with my input later.

May is Celiac Awareness Month and I am pleased to be collaborating with the Canadian Celiac Association to produce podcasts to support their theme of “Beyond the Gut”.  

The CCA hosted a conference on The State of Celiac bringing together researchers, doctors, dietitians, food producers, influencers and others who had a stake in the future of celiac disease and the gluten free diet.  I was fortunate to attend this event and was able to have short interviews with some of the speakers and attendees.  During this last week of Celiac Awareness Month, the podcast will consist of five interviews each highlighting one of the speakers and topics that I found of interest. 

This episode is a discussion with Dr. Jocelyn Silvester, MD, PhD Attending Physician, Division of Gastroenterology & Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics at Boston Children’s Hospital.  Dr. Silvester speaks with me about her work in research with celiac patients.  She is also featured on podcasts on the app Gluten-Free Guide produced with the Celiac Disease Program at Children’s National Health System.  This app is free to download on a smartphone and along with the podcasts is a great resource on celiac disease and the gluten free diet, particularly geared to children.

For more information on celiac disease and the gluten free diet please check out the CCA website at www.celiac.ca.

Sue’s Websites and Social Media –

Podcast https://acanadianceliacpodcast.libsyn.com

Podcast Blog – https://www.acanadianceliacblog.com

Facebook – @acanadianceliacpodcast

Twitter – CeliacPodcastCA

Email – acdnceliacpodcast@gmail.com

Baking Website – https://www.suesglutenfreebaking.com

Instagram – @suesgfbaking

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUVGfpD4eJwwSc_YjkGagza06yYe3ApzL

     (search Sues Gluten Free Baking)

Email – sue@suesglutenfreebaking.com

Other Podcast – Gluten Free Weigh In – https://glutenfreeweighin.libsyn.com

My Thoughts –

I will be summarizing my thoughts at the end of the week on The State of Celiac event, so for now, this blog is providing the player below and we’ll catch up with my input later.

May is Celiac Awareness Month and I am pleased to be collaborating with the Canadian Celiac Association to produce podcasts to support their theme of “Beyond the Gut”.
The CCA hosted a conference on The State of Celiac bringing together researchers, doctors, dietitians, food producers, influencers and others who had a stake in the future of celiac disease and the gluten free diet. I was fortunate to attend this event and was able to record short interviews with some of the speakers and attendees. During this last week of Celiac Awareness Month, the podcast will consist of five interviews each highlighting one of the speakers and topics that I found of interest.
This episode is a discussion with Joel Warady, who is the General Manager, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer for Enjoy Life Foods.
For more information on celiac disease and the gluten free diet please check out the CCA website at www.celiac.ca.

Sue’s Websites and Social Media –

Podcast https://acanadianceliacpodcast.libsyn.com

Podcast Blog – https://www.acanadianceliacblog.com

Facebook – @acanadianceliacpodcast

Twitter – CeliacPodcastCA

Email – acdnceliacpodcast@gmail.com

Baking Website – https://www.suesglutenfreebaking.com

Instagram – @suesgfbaking

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUVGfpD4eJwwSc_YjkGagza06yYe3ApzL

     (search Sues Gluten Free Baking)

Email – sue@suesglutenfreebaking.com

Other Podcast – Gluten Free Weigh In – https://glutenfreeweighin.libsyn.com

My Thoughts –

I will be summarizing my thoughts at the end of the week on The State of Celiac event, so for now, this blog is providing the player below and we’ll catch up with my input later.

May is Celiac Awareness Month and I am pleased to be collaborating with the Canadian Celiac Association to produce podcasts to support their theme of “Beyond the Gut”.  This episode is a discussion with Registered Dietitian Esther Assor who works with the Endocrinology Program at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.

Esther and I discuss the prevalence of celiac disease in children with Type I diabetes, how it effects those individuals and what makes them both the same as, and different from other celiac patients. For more information on celiac disease and the gluten free diet please check out the CCA website at www.celiac.ca.

Sue’s Websites and Social Media –

Podcast https://acanadianceliacpodcast.libsyn.com

Podcast Blog – https://www.acanadianceliacblog.com

Facebook – @acanadianceliacpodcast

Twitter – CeliacPodcastCA

Email – acdnceliacpodcast@gmail.com

Baking Website – https://www.suesglutenfreebaking.com

Instagram – @suesgfbaking

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUVGfpD4eJwwSc_YjkGagza06yYe3ApzL

     (search Sues Gluten Free Baking)

Email – sue@suesglutenfreebaking.com

Other Podcast – Gluten Free Weigh In – https://glutenfreeweighin.libsyn.com

My Thoughts –

It was a couple of years after my diagnosis of celiac disease when I first met someone with both celiac and type I diabetes.  I was at a dinner, which I had organized for a celiac group where I lived.  I forget now, but it must have been a special occasion because this was a fancy restaurant.

I was completely taken aback when the woman beside me, who I knew was celiac, said excuse me, reached under the table, pulled back the table cloth and stabbed her thigh with a needle.  I hadn’t known she was diabetic and was not prepared for this at dinner.

I have often thought of this woman and how my struggles with celiac disease and the gluten free diet were simple compared to her negotiating gluten free and type I diabetes.  In the podcast Esther explained how, nowadays, with so much more gluten free food on the market there is more choice for us.  If there are other concerns, other allergies, or conditions at least now we can choose from the larger variety of products available. The woman I sat beside at dinner did not have the options for gluten free food that we have today.  Food labelling and blood monitoring is better than it was years ago.  Life for someone with type I diabetes and celiac disease is better than it has been, but I think back to one of the last things Esther said in our interview “there’s a lot to learn”.  It will be people like Esther, and her colleagues who will keep investigating, performing studies and counselling patients, that will be at the forefront of a better quality of life for those with both type I diabetes and celiac disease.  Thank you, Esther!   

Let’s start the blog with the Show Notes for this episode:

Sue’s Websites and Social Media –

Podcast https://acanadianceliacpodcast.libsyn.com

Podcast Blog – https://www.acanadianceliacblog.com

Facebook – @acanadianceliacpodcast

Twitter – CeliacPodcastCA

Email – acdnceliacpodcast@gmail.com

Baking Website – https://www.suesglutenfreebaking.com

Instagram – @suesgfbaking

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUVGfpD4eJwwSc_YjkGagza06yYe3ApzL

     (search Sues Gluten Free Baking)

Email – sue@suesglutenfreebaking.com

Other Podcast – Gluten Free Weigh In – https://glutenfreeweighin.libsyn.com

My Thoughts –

When I listen to Dr. Rashid list off the many non-gut symptoms, I have to stop and think.  Did I experience that?  When I really think about it, I can put tick marks after many of the symptoms he spoke about. 

I remember being at a CCA conference years ago and the topic around the table was driving at night.  It seemed common that many older celiacs had given up on driving in the dark.  This interested me, as I was only about 40 but had lost my confidence in night driving.  I didn’t feel I could see the lines on the road, I was struggling to see any lines as I was coming up to them, and was not able to see them at all at a distance in the dark. 

I remember this happened before my diagnosis and in the first few years after starting the gluten free diet.  Things are better now, my body is absorbing more nutrition, I am eating better and I drive confidently at night.

When I hear about the non-gut symptoms, I remember my eyes.  Would I have ever complained to my family doctor that I was hesitant to drive at night – not me!  I don’t think my doctor would have made the connection either, and as Dr. Rashid pointed out even an ophthalmologist wasn’t aware of the link between eyes and celiac – and he was celiac himself. 

It’s easy to blame the medical professionals for our delays in diagnosis.  They are somewhat to blame, but to be fair, the symptoms don’t lend themselves to an easy diagnosis.  Hopefully, this is something that will change as research and technology progress.  The more you know! 

May is Celiac Awareness Month and I am pleased to be collaborating with the Canadian Celiac Association to produce podcasts to support their theme of “Beyond the Gut”.  On this episode I speak with Melissa Secord, Executive Director of the CCA regarding their campaign during Celiac Awareness Month, along with new resources they are making available this month.  Melissa also fills us in on a ground-breaking event taking place in Toronto later in May called “The State of Celiac Disease in Canada Leadership Forum”, during which experts, business people, government representatives and others who have an interest in Celiac Disease will come together to talk, learn and network.  You can find out more on the CCA website at www.celiac.ca.

The second half of the podcast is a charming interview with Tom Doyle of Promise Gluten Free from Ireland.  Tom talks to us about the care taken to develop and prepare their baked goods, and why Canada was a logical market for them.  Here’s a link for more information – www.promiseglutenfree.com/

Sue’s Websites and Social Media –

Podcast https://acanadianceliacpodcast.libsyn.com

Podcast Blog – https://www.acanadianceliacblog.com

Facebook – @acanadianceliacpodcast

Twitter – CeliacPodcastCA

Email – acdnceliacpodcast@gmail.com

Baking Website – https://www.suesglutenfreebaking.com

Instagram – @suesgfbaking

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUVGfpD4eJwwSc_YjkGagza06yYe3ApzL

     (search Sues Gluten Free Baking)

Email – sue@suesglutenfreebaking.com

Other Podcast – Gluten Free Weigh In – https://glutenfreeweighin.libsyn.com

My Thoughts –

Bread from Ireland? I remember the first time I heard about a bakery in Ireland wanting to export to Canada.  As Tom mentioned, that was seven years ago (wow time flies).  I remember thinking, what’s the point, we have some very good bakeries here in Canada.  We don’t seem to be under-served.  We can get some form of gluten free bread at most grocery stores.  We’re good.

Are we?  Yes, we are only 1% of the population, with a few more percentage points for those not diagnosed celiac, but still committed to the diet for their health, but do we need more choice?

While I mull over a question like this, I think about the “wheat world”.  Do they import baked products from other countries to satisfy their tastes?  Yes, they do!  Do they want a variety of bread formats and styles?  Yes, they do!  Do we deserve to have a choice from a larger selection of products?  Yes, we do!

I’m a fan of many of our Canadian gluten free products, and I often feature them on the podcast.  But that shouldn’t be to the exclusion of other gluten free foods.  I live near the US border and find there are gluten free foods in US stores that I really like and will shop for when given the opportunity.  When I’m in the US, I regularly see many of our Canadian brands on store shelves and that makes me happy.  Everyone gets more variety and choice.

Why shouldn’t we welcome good gluten free from anywhere it makes sense to import it from?  Thanks to better awareness and diagnosis, there is a strong market for gluten free foods.  We are the beneficiaries of that.  It all comes down to us being a voice that’s being heard by business, government and medical professionals.  Thanks, CCA for helping us with our voice, and thanks to all those innovative gluten free food manufacturers for giving us great choices.

Let’s start the blog with the Show Notes for this episode:

May is Celiac Awareness Month and I am pleased to be collaborating with the Canadian Celiac Association to produce podcasts to support their theme of “Beyond the Gut”, a look at the less common symptoms leading to a diagnosis of celiac disease.  This week I speak with Dr. David Stevenson, President of the Ontario Dental Association.

We discuss some abnormal dental issues that may be a direct cause of undetected celiac disease.  We also chat about how a diagnosis can change the way your dental professional structures your care.  Surprisingly, we also highlight the importance of sharing a full medical history with your dentist, even though you don’t think it has anything to do with your teeth.

The CCA has an informative document on the link between dental health and screening for celiac disease.  You can find that at https://www.celiac.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/CD_Dental.pdf

Sue’s Websites and Social Media –

Podcast https://acanadianceliacpodcast.libsyn.com

Podcast Blog – https://www.acanadianceliacblog.com

Facebook – @acanadianceliacpodcast

Twitter – CeliacPodcastCA

Email – acdnceliacpodcast@gmail.com

Baking Website – https://www.suesglutenfreebaking.com

Instagram – @suesgfbaking

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUVGfpD4eJwwSc_YjkGagza06yYe3ApzL

     (search Sues Gluten Free Baking)

Email – sue@suesglutenfreebaking.com

Other Podcast – Gluten Free Weigh In – https://glutenfreeweighin.libsyn.com

My Thoughts –

How often are we stopped in our tracks when we arrive for an initial appointment at a new health care provider with a multi-page form asking for our medical history?  Filling out these forms is often tedious without much justification.  Or so I thought.

My conversation with Dr. Stevenson reminded me that our health care professionals, be they doctors, physiotherapists, optometrists, chiropractors, dentists, or anyone else we visit to help us get better and stay better, work with pieces in a puzzle.  A major piece, our health history is an important tool they can use to help put the puzzle together.

This works better in retrospect than it does in the present.  I had two miscarriages before learning I had celiac disease.  Should this have shown up as a red flag?  Not on its own, but coupled with continuing digestive issues, low iron and a low immune system, yes, it would have helped in a diagnosis.  I didn’t think to tell my OBGYN that I had stomach issues and was getting every cold and flu all the time.  It was up to me to provide that information, and without it, my diagnosis came years after my miscarriages.

It’s easy to blame our health care system for long delays in the diagnosis of celiac disease.  It’s a tough nut to crack, but some of the responsibility is ours.  Have you ever discussed your digestive issues with your dentist?  Me neither.  Would it have helped me get diagnosed earlier?  There’s no way to tell, but it couldn’t have hurt. 

Next time I’m asked to fill in a health history form, I’ll use more care, think more about my answers and make a better attempt to provide my piece of the puzzle.  That’s the first step towards me helping me feel better, and I’m the only one who can provide it.