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April/ May 2016 Newsletter
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New website launching soon!
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S.F. Bay Area Welcomes Globetrotting Gluten-Free
Advocate Erin Smith
By Vic Dolcourt
Goodbye, New York City - Hello, Santa Cruz
The Bay Area gluten-free community is pleased to be the landing spot for celiac advocate Erin Smith, who moved here from New York in January. Erin's name, vitality, community energy and extensive website resources may be familiar to members of our community who are active in national and regional gluten-free events. Read more
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FDA (finally) proposes limits on arsenic in rice cereal
For the first time, the FDA is proposing a limit on arsenic in food, specifically infant rice cereal. This is excellent news, but needs to be followed by arsenic limits in other foods. This issue is particularly important for adults and children on a gluten-free diet that relies on rice-based products..
A recent study found that infants who ate rice cereal had more than three times the arsenic level of infants who ate no rice products. ABC News covered the story.
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Reasons People Follow a Gluten-Free Diet:
7 Types of Gluten-Free Dieters
A quick guide for anyone trying to understand the differences among gluten-free dieters. This is especially important to food service and health care workers, but also family and friends of anyone following a gluten-free diet.
Why do people follow a gluten free diet? Chefs and restaurant employees are baffled and irritated when they meticulously accommodate a gluten-free dining request, only to see the same person diving into the bread basket while awaiting their meal. Read more
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Celiac drugs on the move in race to develop first treatment
Alvine Pharmaceuticals
ImmunogenX (Newport Beach, CA) acquired the noncash assets of Alvine Pharmaceuticals (San Carlos, CA) and will take its lead drug candidate ALV003, renamed IMGX-003, through late stage clinical trials. IMGX-003 is a combination of two enzymes that break down gluten before it can cause an autoimmune reaction, helping prevent symptoms of gluten exposure and damage to the intestines. The drug is in powder form and dissolved in water to be taken before a meal. Article on GEN News
Alba Therapeutics
Innovate Biopharmaceuticals licensed all of Alba Therapeutics' assets relating to larazotide acetate, renamed INN-202. The drug has been granted Fast Track designation from the FDA and is planning phase 3 clinical trials for late 2016, the first such trials for a celiac drug therapy. Ingested prior to meals, INN-202 is a tight junction regulator that reduces symptoms of gluten exposure. It helps to prevent gluten from crossing the intestinal barrier and causing an autoimmune reaction. Press release
Note: Both drugs would supplement rather than replace the gluten-free diet. The New York Times published an overview a few of the dozen or so celiac drug therapies in the development pipeline (written before the events above).
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National celiac experts weigh in on oats
The North American Society for the Study of Celiac Disease published a statement regarding the use of oats in products that are labeled gluten-free.
For more info: Tricia Thompson, MS, RD, has published a number of articles on gluten-free oats on her website Gluten Free Watchdog.
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Stanford Celiac Disease Update:
Attend or watch live webcast May 5th
Presented by Stanford Health Library
Celiac disease is a surprisingly common, though frequently undiagnosed disease. This talk will provide insight into celiac disease, its symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.
Speaker: Nielsen Fernandez-Becker, MD
Thursday, May 5, 2016 at 7:00 pm
Stanford Health Library
Hoover Pavilion, Suite 201
211 Quarry Rd., Palo Alto 94304
No Fee. To register call 650-498-7826
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GFF magazine and gluten-free beer
Meanwhile, Erika Lenkert, GFF Editor-in-Chief, cold-called the powerhouse publisher of Martha Stewart Living and, yada yada yada, inked a deal to take her magazine national. It leapt from 12,000 to 250,000 copies. Now GFF magazine is the Bay Area's only national consumer food and cooking magazine. Congratulations to Erika and her colleagues!
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Action Alert:
Support legislation to recognize May 2016 as
Celiac Awareness Month in California
California State Assemblywoman Catherine Baker introduced ACR 73 to recognize May 2016 as Celiac Awareness Month in an effort to increase awareness about celiac disease and educate people about the potential risks and safety precautions that need to be taken.
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The Family Chef: Gluten-Free Brunch Ideas
By Amy Fothergill
Spring is the time for weekend daytime parties with Mother's and Father's day, graduations, bridal showers, and more. Brunch is often laden with gluten-filled items like quiche, muffins, breads, and waffles. Luckily, it's easy to find tasty gluten-free equivalents and options. But you might just need some gluten-free brunch ideas. Read more
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Mariposa Baking: Fundraiser for UChicago Celiac Research
In partnership with the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center for the fourth year, Mariposa Baking is helping to raise funds for their important research seeking treatment and the cure for celiac disease. A percentage of Mariposa's sales for any savory or sweet baked items will go directly toward funding cutting-edge research at The University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center.
Customers can purchase Mariposa's celebrated gluten-free artisan breads, parties and sweets in our two retail locations (Oakland and SF Ferry Building), via online store for pick up, or through our mail order shipments all across the USA and help to support finding a cure! www.mariposabaking.com/
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Upcoming support group meetings
Celiac Support Group (Sacramento area)
Next meetings:
May 15 - Gluten and Biotechnology
May 21 - Davis Support Meeting
May 28 - 3K-5K Walk for Celiac Awareness
Celiac Disease Foundation - Marin Support Group
Next meeting: Tuesday, June 14th, 7pm to 8:30pm
(Please note: the date was incorrectly listed as June 4 in our last newsletter)
Gluten Free Discussion Group in Walnut Creek
Next meeting: July 21, 7:00pm
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Support us while you shop on Amazon
If you enter the Amazon website through Amazon Smile and choose the Celiac Community Foundation of Northern California as your charity, Amazon will donate .5% of eligible purchases to our all-volunteer foundation. Same Amazon products, prices and service and it costs you nothing! Please share with friends and family. Thank you for helping us provide free community services!
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Camp Celiac - Summer 2016
Registration opened in February and is ongoing at www.celiaccamp.com. Check "Camp Watch" on the homepage for current availability for summer 2016. The waitlists do get utilized so it's often worth signing up even if it's on waitlist status.Questions? See the website for contact information, FAQs, photo gallery and more.
The Celiac Community Foundation of Northern California administers Camp Celiac at Camp Arroyo in Livermore, CA, in partnership with The Taylor Family Foundation.
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Participate in Research at Stanford and U.C. Irvine
 U.C. Irvine: Participate in research at U.C. Irvine by taking a brief survey. A research group is looking into designing and developing a low-cost, easy to use, rapid gluten detection device for celiac and gluten-sensitive patients, meant for patients to check their food, makeup, etc. We love to see young researchers studying gluten-related disorders and getting support!
 Stanford: An interdisciplinary research group of Stanford graduate students in medicine, business and engineering are studying the feasibility of developing a saliva-based test for celiac disease (the current standard is a blood test that measures antibodies to gluten). The group is conducting a survey about whether or not a saliva test for celiac disease would be of value to patients.
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Feeling social? If you would you like to attend a class, special event or support group, take a look at our monthly
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