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1888 PressRelease.com 15th May 2009

2009-05-21T13:22:00.000-07:00

International Celiac Expert Shelley Case Dispels Common Myths about the Gluten-Free Diet

While Celebrity Elisabeth Hasselbeck Sheds Light On Gluten-Free Living, International Celiac Expert Shelley Case Dispels Common Myths about the Gluten-Free Diet

Celebrity Elisabeth Hasselbeck is generating a lot of buzz about Gluten-Free living, but International Celiac Expert Shelley Case, RD warns consumers why going gluten-free before being screened for celiac disease can be hazardous to your health!

Going gluten-free is being hailed as the solution to everything from autism and ADHD to obesity, but removing the gluten from your diet may prevent your physician from being able to accurately diagnose Celiac Disease - a serious illness that affects an estimated 1 in 100 Americans.

Celiac disease - the reason Hasselbeck became interested in gluten-free - is already one of the most mis- and under-diagnosed medical conditions in North America. It is estimated that only 3% are diagnosed. Left untreated, it can lead to severe damage of the GI tract, nutritional deficiencies, osteoporosis and even cancer.

The celiac community is excited that Hasselbeck is raising awareness about celiac disease, but there is great concern that people will be tempted to self-diagnose simply by trying the diet - a situation that could have very serious long term consequences. "Some call celiac disease the mockingbird syndrome because it mimics the symptoms of other health conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome or stress," says Case. "The only way to diagnose celiac disease is with a blood test and small intestinal biopsy and gluten must be present in the diet in order for these tests to be accurate," emphasizes Case. Starting the diet before the test could easily result in more people being mis-diagnosed. There is also concern that without professional guidance those with celiac may find it difficult to remain 100% gluten-free. "Unlike weight loss or fad diets, for people with celiac disease, following a gluten-free diet for life is a critical medical intervention. In fact it's the ONLY treatment available and as such must be followed very carefully."

Shelley Case RD, a trusted health professional is ready to help your viewers separate the facts from the fiction about a gluten free diet and make an informed decision about whether - and when - going gluten free is right for them.

Everyone seems to be an expert about the gluten-free diet these days! Many have little or no credentials and often provide misinformation about the diet. In my presentation at the National Institutes of Health conference on celiac disease, Case emphasized the importance of accurate, evidence-based information for those with celiac disease, health professionals, chefs and the media. It is essential to see a registered dietitian with expertise in celiac disease and the gluten-free diet. The dietitian will do a thorough nutritional assessment, provide detailed and practical information about the diet using credible resources and monitor your progress.

Case has been researching which products are gluten-free for 25 years. The latest edition of her book Gluten-Free Diet describes more than 3100 gluten-free products from more than 270 companies in the US, Canada and around the world. The book is viewed as the definitive gluten-free guide, and numerous Celiac health experts like Dr. Michelle Pietzak, MD and Dr. Peter Green, MD advise their patients to use this book to help in their healthy, gluten-free journey.

MAY IS CELIAC AWARENESS MONTH!

About Shelley Case:

Shelley Case is a registered dietitian and a member of the Medical Advisory Boards of the Celiac Disease Foundation and Gluten Intolerance Group in the US and Professional Advisory Board of the Canadian Celiac Association. As a leading international nutrition expert on celiac disease and author of the revised and updated national best seller "Gluten-Free Diet: A Comprehensive Resource Guide", Case is a frequent guest speaker at conferences and in the media including the NBC Today Show and CBC Newsworld. Shelley's website is www.glutenfreediet.ca She can also be found at www.befreeforme.com with her regular Q&A column, at www.glutenfreeda.com in the "Good For You column" and at www.allergicliving.com "Ask the Celiac Expert".

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The News, Portsmouth: 18th May 2009

2009-05-21T13:14:00.000-07:00

Makeover casts off Sarah's blues

By Elise Brewerton

With a beaming smile, Sarah Hook received a high street makeover after her life story won a national competition.

Sarah was just 14 when she was struck down with ME – known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – and ended up in a wheelchair, too tired to put one foot in front of another.

The 27-year-old was a brilliant student at Crookhorn Technology College preparing to sit 14 GCSEs when her life was turned upside down by the as yet unexplained illness which has dominated her life ever since.

Despite her problems, Mrs Hook went on to get top grades in seven GCSEs, A Levels, a first class honours degree in accounting and now has a beautiful daughter, Isabelle.

Her proud mother Susan Bruce secretly nominated her for a TK Maxx competition to be given a fashion makeover by a stylist from television's Nicky Hambleton-Jones consultancy and she beat off hundreds to claim the prize.

'I could not even do basic things. Getting out of bed was a task, washing, dressing, walking,' said Mrs Hook, of Acer Way, Havant. 'Within a couple of months of going down with it I was in a wheelchair and I stayed in it for five years. I was at the end of my tether at that point and I really didn't think I was ever going to feel better again.'

She met her husband, Darryl, seven years ago and with his and her family's help and support she tried out a radical diet, cutting out dairy, sugar, wheat and most meat – and is now out of the wheelchair.

As she shopped with style consultant Claire Wacey for her free £250 clothes from the store she felt on top of the world.

She said: 'I couldn't believe it when I found out I'd won. Life has been really hard and I still get muscle pain. I struggle with day to day activities and constantly feel like I have the flu. But I'm really hopeful that one day I'll be strong enough to use my degree.'

With the help of Miss Wacey she chose some funky outfits from the cut price designer clothes store in Waterlooville and it has given her confidence a huge boost.

ILLNESS WITH NO CURE

Myalgic Encephalopathy, or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, affects around 250,000 people in the UK.

Symptoms include severe and debilitating fatigue, painful muscles and joints, disordered sleep, poor memory and weak concentration.

In many cases it can be triggered by a viral infection, an operation or an accident, although some people experience a slow, insidious onset.

There is no cure for the illness and many doctors have written it off as psychological rather than physical and little is known about it.

For more information go to meassociation.org.uk or call 01280 818968.

Me and my unwelcome visitor: ME

2008-05-05T05:35:00.000-07:00

Essex News and Sport Gazette

By Vicky Passingham But in her teens, ME - also known as chronic fatigue syndrome - took its toll on her body to such an extent it had all but given up ...

Miriam