Five years ago, it was almost unheard of to find information about celiac disease or the gluten-free diet in the mainstream media. Today, there is so much of it that it’s hard to keep up with it all. There was a time when many in our community agreed that all publicity was good for our plight. After seeing so much information plastered in magazines and online lately, I’m starting to rethink my position on the matter. Several recent things caught my attention that I think are worth mentioning.
First up is an article on page 61 in the August issue of Good Housekeeping titled “What’s Making You Sneeze?” The piece even made teaser status on the cover with “I’m allergic to what? Surprising triggers docs often overlook – and how to get relief”. The good news is that the article touches on food allergies and mentions food intolerances. The bad news is that the author goes on to mention that true food allergies involve the immune system as if to infer that food intolerances do not. Guess what Good Housekeeping? Celiac disease is related to food intolerance and is in fact, an auto-immune condition.
Next is this article from the NY Daily Times website. While much of the article is well done and factual, the author mentions the new Duncan Hines gluten-free mixes. Don’t get excited – according to Duncan Hines, only some of their frostings are considered gluten-free. Also, the article notes that the gluten-free diet excludes MSG, even though that is not part of the gluten-free diet protocol. MSG might not be healthy in large doses, but it is a gluten-free ingredient. Incorrect data like this just adds to the confusion over what is and isn’t gluten-free.
Last, but far from least, is the recent segment on the Today Show where ‘tummy troubles’ were discussed by the staff doctor, Nancy Snyderman, MD. I briefly spoke to Snyderman at a GMA taping years ago and she’s very personable and polite. However, she is apparently confused about the proper treatment for celiac disease. As I watched the show video online, I was seriously taken aback when the good doctor gave a fairly bad answer to an important question about the gluten-free diet as it relates to people with celiac disease.
The Today Show is produced at NBC Studios at Rockefeller Center in New York City. Renowned celiac expert, Peter Green, MD practices at Columbia University in NYC. What a shame that the Today Show producers didn’t think to get Green involved in the segment. If you missed it, you can watch the video here. Green would have given an accurate answer to the very important question a viewer asked Snyderman. Contrary to what Snyderman stated in the piece, it doesn’t depend on anything in regards to people with celiac being able to eat gluten eventually. Treatment for the condition is currently strict adherence to the gluten-free diet, period. Celiac disease is not the ‘disease du jour’ and though it’s true that the condition is wildly under-diagnosed – there is no evidence that it’s being over-diagnosed.
Great article, Tiffany! I was so disappointed with the Today Show that day. Makes you wonder about the other segments that you “trust”. It just goes to show that one doctor just really cannot know everything. There is just too much out there to stay proficient in everything. They should have sought out the expert.
Yesterday I took an article from Scientific American (written by Alessio Fasano) on Celiac Disease to my son’s pediatrician (not gastro) and he was so thankful. I really appreciate his ability to admit he doesn’t know everything, and his willingness to learn–and listen to me. lol
Hey Tiffany, thank you for this important cautionary summary of what’s been said about celiac disease and the gluten-free diet in mainstream media lately. The Today Show segment was indeed a disappointment, and involving Dr. Peter Green would have most likely prevented the mis-information.
Earlier this week, the Wall Street Journal did a much better job – author Melinda Beck clearly did her research.
Thanks Samantha! I love that article you mentioned with Fasano and that is wonderful that you have such a great doc for your son. Many parents aren’t so lucky – or adults for that matter 😉 So many docs think they know everything, which as you stated is just not possible.
Hajo – Yes, I agree about that article – thanks for posting the link! I didn’t include it due to Shelley Case stating the link is only live for five days (odd, I think) and we don’t want our readers to click on links that don’t work or require registration to read. If the link ends up staying active, I’ll probably do another post about it later. Great piece where they did ask the experts 🙂