Paediatricians now support gluten-sensitivity concept

Media Release for immediate use, May 15 2009

Paediatricians now support gluten-sensitivity concept.

Dr Rodney Ford states that the gluten-sensitivity (or gluten syndrome) diagnosis has now reached official status. For over a decade he has been researching and promoting the concept of gluten sensitivity. Up until now, this idea has been met with stubborn resistance from majority of medical practitioners.

But the tide has turned. Overwhelming clinical evidence of gluten sensitivity has led to the adoption of the “gluten-sensitive diagnosis” by the Department of Paediatrics, Christchurch Hospital. The members of this Child Health Team include three paediatricians and seven general practitioners. Their guidelines are posted on their website http://www.healthpathways.org.nz. You can then click onto the child health/coeliac disease link.

The document states that if you have symptoms of coeliac disease (such as: poor growth, persistent gastrointestinal symptoms – diarrhoea, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, vomiting – irritability, or iron deficiency), then a gluten-free diet might help, whatever your blood tests results might show. If you have an abnormal tTG (the marker for gut tissue damage), then you are advised have and endoscopy and then go gluten-free. On the other hand, if you have a normal tTG, then you are encouraged to give a gluten-free diet a go anyway – as you might be gluten sensitive.

Dr Ford says that this change of stance will come as a great relief to the many gluten-sensitive sufferers, who previously had been given no support for taking the gluten-free option. He says that a lot more research is needed to better understand how gluten is affecting so many people. His research has found that about one in ten people have this sort of adverse reaction to gluten. He is currently conducting a series of double blind challenges to better document the extent of gluten sensitivity children.

Dr Ford is to speak at the Gluten Free and Allergy Show 23 and 24 May at the Auckland ASB Showground. He will describe “The Gluten Syndrome” which he regards as the world’s biggest health secret. This wide endorsement of gluten-sensitivity marks the beginning of coeliac disease awareness week. You can find out a lot more from his webpage: www.DrRodneyFord.co.nz

About Dr Rodney Ford

Dr Rodney Ford is a Paediatric Gastroenterologist, Allergist and Nutrition Consultant. He has been Associate Professor of Paediatrics at the Christchurch School of Medicine, University of Otago. He runs the Children’s Gastroenterology and Allergy Clinic in Christchurch. He has written over a hundred scientific papers including a series of books about the harm of gluten. He coined The Gluten Syndrome.

ENDS

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