Ep 124 June 2020 Roundup with Ellen

Let’s start the blog with the show notes for this Episode –

Once again this month, I have the pleasure of speaking with Ellen Bayens of theceliacscene.com to discuss some of the information and articles she brought to our attention lately.  She presented a few research studies looking at links between celiac disease and Type I Diabetes, Inflamatory Bowel Disease, as well as the role some environmental chemicals might play in the incidence of CD in children.  We discuss the difficult daily decisions faced by asymptomatic celiacs, who don’t suffer stomach issues when they ingest gluten, and how that adds another level to the disease.  The topic of food scarcity for those with allergies or on special diets is highlighted by a US article, and we discuss its relevance for us in Canada, as well as strategies Ellen and I use on our not so frequent grocery outings.  As well, Ellen introduces us to Mia Kennedy who will be a twenty-something contributor to both theceliacscene.com and the podcast.

Here are the links to Ellen’s Articles –

• Never OK to Cheat on the Gluten-Free Diet
• Pre-screening for Celiac Disease Suggested for Asymptomatic Diabetics
• Toxic Chemicals Correlated with Celiac Disease Diagnosis in Children
• Introducing Musings by Mia – Youth Contributor to The Celiac Scene
• Linked? Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Celiac Disease?
• How Food Shortages Can Affect the Gluten Free

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

Email – sue@suesglutenfreebaking.com

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

My Thoughts –

During this episode of the podcast, Ellen and I talked about people who had asymptomatic celiac disease.  The more I think about it, the more I realize how difficult it would be coping with celiac disease when you can’t even tell you’re affected.  Most of us have spent years with debilitating symptoms; symptoms that have dictated how we live our lives, how we travel, often stopped us from sharing time with friends or family, often left us fatigued, concerned and in pain.  The idea of not having to endure those symptoms seems very appealing, but there’s another side to that coin.

Without feeling like you were sick, would you ever have sought treatment?  Would you ever have undergone the myriad of tests to rule out other conditions?  Would you ever take your supposed diagnosis of celiac disease seriously?

I can’t answer any of these questions.  My diagnosis came as a blessing to me – finally I had an answer.  It’s difficult to know what I would have done, had I never asked the question, never sought an answer. 

When I had my bakery, and knowing a couple of asymptomatic celiacs, I always said, they were the hardest people to keep on the diet, because they didn’t suffer if they ate gluten.  Now, I realize it’s a deeper issue.  It appears on the surface that they can treat their diagnosis as “take it or leave it”, but the reality is that by not taking it seriously, they are setting themselves up for big risks.

I suppose I’m glad my body is able to tell me I’ve done something wrong, I’ve eaten something wrong.  It’s a heavy price to pay, but I think for me anyway, it’s better than being asymptomatic.