When Were YOU Born?

An article in the NY Times online is headlined thusly:  Really? Celiac Disease is Influenced by Season of Birth.  It concludes, not surprisingly, that there are studies suggesting that the season of birth may influence incidence of celiac, though more research is needed.  The article cites to three studies -- one recently published -- that have found a correlation between spring/ summer births and an increased incidence in celiac.  One theory about the correlation is that typical introduction to gluten occurs around 6 months and, in babies born in spring or summer, that coincides with the winter and an increase in colds and flus.  Another theory is that vitamin D exposure may play a role.  I am clearly no scientist and these theories seemed truly odd to me -- how does it occur to someone to investigate this??   However, I am loving that studies are being conducted.  It gives me hope that there may be some conclusions drawn during my lifetime.  Perhaps even a way to prevent it.

FDA Delays

Here's the timeline --

2004 -- Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act passes, requiring FDA to propose within 2 years regulations defining "gluten-free" for purposes of food labeling and finalize those regulations within 4 years.  (In case you hate math, that's 2006 for the proposal and 2008 for the final rule).

2007 -- FDA published a proposed rule to permit food manufacturers to label a food as "gluten-free" if, generally, it does not contain more than 20 ppm of gluten.  The rule was published on Jan. 23, 2007, with a comment period ending April 23, 2007.  (If you're not close to the regulatory process, a four month comment period is LONG).

2011 -- May.  FDA publishes a study entitled Health Hazard Assessment for Gluten Exposure in Individuals with Celiac Disease.

2011 -- August.  FDA reopens the comment period on its previous rule proposal.  In the accompanying press release, the FDA states that it wants up to date information prior to finalizing the rule.  And cites to 2008 data.  This time, the comment period stayed open for 60 days.

2012 -- October.  Over a year later, no final rule has been adopted.

What we need here is a petition for rulemaking.

DC Tops List of Brainiest State, But Bad News For Celiacs

DC has been named the top "brainiest" state in the America according to studies based largely on intake of DHA-fortified foods.  Interestingly, medical experts not associated with the study indicated that certain other tests should have been included in the index including, specifically, tests for gluten-intolerance.  Apparently, consumption of gluten by those with celiac is a factor in the development of dementia.