QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Q1. Hello, Thank you for providing such an informative newsletter. I admire your patience in answering what seem to be the same questions over and over. We greatly appreciate you. My comment is in response to the woman in the Syracuse, NY area who was asking about the gluten-free status of various medications including Zantac and Nasonex. Please direct her to a website called glutenfreedrugs.com. It is loaded with gluten-free information about both prescription and over the counter medications. I hope it helps! Thank you again. Tonia Emerson

A1. Dear Tonia, Thank you for that resource. I’ll add it to my data base as well. Beth

Q2. Are there any GF cereals that are higher in vitamins, like the regular cerea?. Many of the organics have very little nutritional value to them. Are Corn Chex and Cocoa Pebbles GF? And, if malt is the issue, how much wheat is in malt flavoring, and is it enough to make a real impact? Nancy DiGioia

A2. Dear Nancy, Unfortunately breakfast cereals in general have very little nutritional value. The Nature's Path Mesa Sunrise (#958023) is probably the best for nutrients and fiber. Corn chex are not safe for a gluten-free diet, but Health Valley Products offers Rice Crunch Ems (similar) which are safe. I am not able to say with 100% certainty that Cocoa Pebbles are gluten-free. However, Nature's Path Koala Crisp (#958021) are a good substitute. You asked another question about malt. The issue with malt is not wheat, but barley. Even malt flavouring contains some gluten and must be avoided if you are a true celiac. For other dietary restrictions, it is best to consult your doctor before using malt flavouring or malt products in your diet. Here are a number of other breakfast cereals you might want to try: Glutino Apple Cinnamon O’s (#108007); Glutino Honey Nut O’s (#108008); Perky’s Rice Cereals; Bakery on Main Granola in 5 flavors; Enjoy Life Granola; Nature’s Path six flavors. Hope that helps, Beth

Q3. Beth, This is for the person who was asking about gf veggie burgers. I don't know if you can mention a product that you don't carry, but just in case, there is a gluten-free veggie burger. They are called Sunshine Burgers and they are pretty good. I get them at my local health food store, but Whole Foods also carries them. Their web site is www.sunshineburger.com I love your products and your newsletter. The Gluten Free Pantry was the first mail order company I bought from after being diagnosed. The Angel Food Cake and the Crisp and Crumble Topping are my favorites and always go over well with my gluten-eating family. Estelle

A3. Dear Estelle, Thank you for your nice comments, especially about our GFP mixes. And thanks, too, for the information on Sunshine Burgers. Another reader mentioned them as well. Beth

Q4. Can you please help us understand the apparent link between celiac and a non-response to the hepatitis B vaccine? Is this "non response" to the vaccine true only for hep B or for other vaccines too? If a celiac cannot produce and/or maintain antibodies for hepatitis B, how can they protect themselves from this disease? Thanks for any light that you can shed on this issue. K in PA

A4. Dear K in PA, A study from the Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota came out in 2003 indicating that a group of celiacs having a strong association with the HLA genotype of DQ2 is also seen in association with nonresponders to the hepatitis B vaccine. While it is of some concern for patients with celiac disease, you need to also look at the percentage of the general population that gets Hepatitis B and the risk factors. There is no indication that this is also associated with other vaccines. A pediatrician on the Listserv posted this information on the study which might add prospective for you: “This is concerning, but it is also important to realize that clinical resistance to disease does not correlate in a linear fashion with antibody titers. They found this out in the original studies when trying to figure out how long the vaccine would last and if boosters would be needed. They found that antibody titers did decline over time, but that the subjects still seemed to be resistant to clinical disease, and therefore they did not end up recommending boosters for healthy subjects. In addition, this study really only applies to celiacs who have this particular genotype. Additionally, the study does not really address what to DO about the low antibody titer in Celiac patients. If the low antibody titer is, in celiacs, also related to low clinical resistance to disease, what is to be done? From the abstract, it does not sound like increased vaccine doses would be expected to increase immune response in the "non-responders". Therefore, the "non-responders" would need to rely on the same methods of disease prevention that were used 10 years ago: avoid any risk factors. Beth

Q5. Hello glutenfree.com -The lady in your newletter wanted to know about GF veggie burgers. You said there were not any available except possibly one. Today for lunch I ate a veggie Bistro Burger from Amy foods. New on the market and good. I usually eat one of three GF veggie products from Gardenburger. They are: Breakfast Sausage along with Flame Grilled Burger and Black Bean Chipotle. I think they are tasty and low calorie with good plant protein. I use Lifestream Buckwheat frozen waffles for bread and usually add a slice of low fat swiss cheese with plochman's mustard. Your newsletter is better than a GF support group. Makes my life better. Thank You

A5. Thanks for your comments on our newsletter. Also, thanks for the tips on more veggie burgers. Beth

Q6. I enjoy reading your newsletter and pass it on to my father who is also celiac. Today, I was in the store and came across brown rice crackers that said they were wheat free and gluten-free. When I read the ingredients it had oat fiber listed. How can they be classified as gluten-free and yet have oat fiber in them? Thank you so very much, Janet Peters

A6. Dear Janet, I think I would take issue with that claim as well. However, the concerns about oats are still being debated and, assuming the oat fiber is pure, it is technically gluten-free. Once the FDA gluten-free guidelines are issued later this year, it will clear up a lot of gray areas such as this one. Beth

Q7. Dear glutenfree.com, I have come across a skin care product that is wheat and oat free. My 9 year old son and 44 year old husband are both gluten intolerant. I have found this product to be one of the only products they can use to assist in a total wheat free life style. The Butt Balm we use for surfing, salt water rashes and sunburns. It heals their skin exceptionally fast and its very comforting once put on. I am so excited about this product I hope you will research them and carry their line. I even use the hair gel and body cream for myself, I just love it! Next to your website this is one of the best wheat, gluten-free treasures available. If I didn't share this find with you, I would be acting foolish and selfish. What a great opportunity this would be for you to offer this quality of a product to your loyal customers. Best of luck Trisha Alessandra

A7. Dear Trisha, Thanks for the tip. We’ll check it out. Beth

Q8. My daughter went to a Celiac Sprue support group at Glens falls Hospital last Mon. night. I have been taking Advair and Spiriva and I have had Thrush twice lately. She heard there that people with Celiac lack an nutrient in our systems that causes the Thrush to keep coming back. Do you know what that might be? Thanks, I enjoy your news letter a lot. Joyce

A8. Dear Joyce, Undiagnosed celiac disease might contribute to reoccuring Thrush. Since I am not a physician, I can only speculate. It can also be caused by some asthma medications so I would definitely consult your physician. I would not advise “tinkering” with either of your medications or the gluten-free diet on your own. Beth