Ice Cream Social

GIG-Montgomery will not meet in June.  However, along with a regular July meeting, we will have an ice cream social at 32 Degrees in Eastchase on Saturday, July 9^th, 3 p.m. 

The company headquarters was so kind to send $1 off coupons for all of our members.  We will have them at 32 Degrees on July 9^th so look for Ruth, Pam or me before making a purchase. 

All of the flavors except for one are gluten free and that exception is clearly labeled.  A manager told me that they try to have at least one dairy-free sorbet flavor as well each day.  I am including contact information below so that those who need to verify a dairy-free option can do so before coming.

Montgomery, AL
7030 Eastchase Pkwy, Ste C120
Montgomery, AL 36117
334.272.4773
Fri. and Sat. 12 a.m-10 p.m.
Sun-Thurs. 12 p.m.- 9p.m.
Next to Moe's

http://www.32yogurt.com/

http://www.facebook.com/32degreesyogurt?v=info

Many Thanks to Dr. Penn White

Wow!  The presentation by Dr. Penn White is what I had been hoping for since beginning the paperwork last fall to form GIG-Montgomery.  Dr. White did a great job of compiling information in handouts for our members.  If you missed his presentation, we have extra copies of his handouts available.  Most importantly, we now have an advocate in the medical community who will partner with us in our quest to disseminate the latest research. 

If you have been trying to convince a family member or friend to be checked for gluten intolerance, give them Dr. White’s information (here).  Of course, they will need to be referred by a primary doctor; the key is to come armed with information from reputable sources that make the connection between symptoms and an immune response to gluten.

Gluten Intolerance in Professional Sports

Stunning improvement for world’s now-Number 2 tennis player Djokovic, after discovering his gluten allergy, as reported in the Wall Street Journal.

Come listen to Dr. Penn White speak to why gluten intolerances are so hard to diagnose, this Thursday!

Interview with Dr. Fasano

Another interview with Dr. Fasano, in which he discusses gluten sensitivity as well as celiac:

http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2011/042011/04252011/1303751836fls

Gluten Free for Good Blog

I love Melissa’s gluten free food rules:

http://www.glutenfreeforgood.com/blog/gluten-free-food-rules-recipe-included

The 1 in 133 Event and the FDA

The link below was included in the latest GIG newsletter to branches.  Reading it was encouraging to me, especially after a phone call with Dannon yogurt.  The only yogurt flavor of any variety that Dannon will state is gluten free is the plain flavor.  When I asked if barley malt was in the “natural flavors” that Dannon uses, I was told that is “proprietary information.”  (Note to Dannon:  I do not want to duplicate your yogurt; I just want to know if it will make my family sick!)

So if the 1 in 133 Event gets the attention of Congress, maybe we can not only encourage the FDA to finalize gluten-free labeling standards but also encourage the inclusion of gluten in the allergen labeling requirements (which will require additional legislation).

Exciting New Research!

While this article is focused on getting stubborn family members of known celiacs to get tested, I am thinking about the possibilities in the primary care setting.  Imagine if pediatricians/primary care physicians could test patients in their offices instead of sending them to labs to have blood drawn?

http://www.befreeforme.com/blog/?p=4923

Dr. Penn White at May Meeting

May is Celiac Awareness Month and the May meeting of GIG-Montgomery is three weeks away.  Mark your calendar now for this one, because our guest speaker will be Dr. Penn White of Capital City Gastroenterology.  You can read more about Dr. White on his website: http://www.ccgastro.net/

We have more on the agenda and I will be posting about those things in the coming weeks, but make sure you mark Thursday, May 26^th, from 6-7 p.m. on your calendar and come listen to Dr. White!