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Note from Alice: Unlocking Gut-Brain Connection Secrets in Gluten-Related Disorders
It’s no secret that Beyond Celiac is accelerating celiac disease science like never before. We have the plan, the people and the passion to make treatments and a cure happen. We are deeply committed to helping our community and making sure the scientists and doctors working with those with celiac disease truly understand this disease. We listened to you and how best to help our community and this is why we are excited to share that Beyond Celiac has just announced our Established Investigator Research Award grant to the University of Sheffield that will make it possible for scientists to expand investigation of brain changes and the mental health impact of gluten on people with celiac disease and gluten-related disorders.
For years you have shared your struggles with brain fog, difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, anxiety and depression, and that is why we have been personally invested in the gut-brain connection and how gluten can affect our minds and bodies. Beyond Celiac has been at the forefront of the discussion on gluten and its potential neurological and psychological effects, even hosting a webinar over ten years ago focusing on the psychological impacts of celiac disease and more recently publishing a study in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology about brain fog and sharing our learnings from Go Beyond Celiac on neurological symptoms of celiac disease. We are proud of the work we’ve accomplished together in this space and believe this partnership with Sheffield will be game-changing to those suffering from gluten-related disorders.
The research funded by this grant will be a continuation of earlier work from Nigel Hoggard, MD, and Iain Croall, PhD, at Sheffield, which showed evidence that people with celiac disease have a greater risk of damage to brain white matter, as well as worsened cognitive and mental health. Jumping off from these results, their new Beyond Celiac-funded research will examine the relationship between findings from brain scans of patients with gluten-related disorders and a variety of different parameters. The study will focus on how effectively the gluten-free diet treats these neurological problems and will further investigate long-term effects on cognitive function, severity of depression and anxiety symptoms, and overall quality of life.
Propelling this research is an important part of increasing physician understanding and awareness of the mental health issues and neurological effects many in our community live with, often without acknowledgment. Together with our community and researchers from around the world, we are proud to take another step closer to a world Beyond Celiac.
Together for a cure,
Alice
Made with fresh ingredients, a gluten-free, light version of a classic recipe. Adults: there’s an alcoholic version with wine, too!
Cold Corn ChowderThis is the perfect tasty and filling meal for a hot summer’s day. Cool down with cold corn chowder!
About Chef Oonagh Williams
Oonagh Williams holds a culinary arts degree and spends her time cooking and educating the public on gluten- and allergy-free diets. She herself has celiac disease and food allergies. She teaches cooking classes, hosts dinner parties, and offers one-on-one help. Buy her Delicious Gluten-Free Cooking e-book and connect with her on Facebook.
New Bill Would Require Products to Disclose Gluten-Containing Grains
A team of Representatives and Senators reintroduced the Food Labeling Modernization Act of 2021 (FLMA) to the House and the Senate. Currently, wheat is the only gluten-containing grain that is required to be disclosed on food and beverage labels. If the legislation passes, barley and rye ingredients would also need to be listed. If passed, this would greatly reduce the guesswork currently required for people to safely eat gluten-free.
Read more and contact your Representatives
Investigating the Gut-Brain Connection with Sheffield
In July we announced the granting of a two-year Established Investigator Grant award to the University of Sheffield, United Kingdom. The $209,000 investment from Beyond Celiac will make it possible for scientists to expand investigation of the neurological and neuropsychological manifestations of celiac disease and gluten-related disorders.
Read more about the study and grant
September Step Beyond Celiac 5K
We’re excited to announce that registration is now open for the September 26 Step Beyond Celiac 5K in Philadelphia!
Step Beyond Celiac 5Ks are family-friendly events that raise money to support Beyond Celiac research efforts. All registrants will get gluten-free goodies and a t-shirt, so long as you sign up before September 17.
When: September 26, 2021
Where: FDR Park, Philadelphia (virtual option available too)
What: Running 3.1 miles closer to a cure for celiac disease!
Not in Philly? No problem! You can still register for the virtual version and run wherever you are on September 26!
Research News
Healthcare providers still have a lot to learn about celiac disease
Two European studies paint a discouraging picture of how well celiac disease is understood in the medical community. Some of what they conclude is likely to be applicable to the United States, too.
Changes in microbiome that might signal celiac disease before it develops identified in study of at-risk children
Intestinal changes that occur before the development of celiac disease in at-risk children have been identified in a new study. The results are promising for potentially identifying ways to intervene before celiac disease develops, according to study authors.
How to diagnose and treat the skin form of celiac disease
Recently, the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology compiled guidelines to support dermatologists in diagnosis and treatment of DH and improve the quality of management for patients.
Potential celiac disease drug reduces intestinal damage, new study finds
A new drug being investigated to treat celiac disease reduced intestinal damage in patients undergoing a gluten challenge, early results reported in a new study found.
Clinical Trials
CeDLara Study
Still experiencing symptoms on a gluten-free diet? The CeDLara Study is currently enrolling qualified patients into their phase 3 study to assess a potential therapy for celiac disease. This study is being conducted to determine if the drug reduces symptoms of celiac disease in patients who are on a gluten-free diet. You may qualify to participate in this study if you:
- Are 18 years old or older
- Are biopsy diagnosed with celiac disease
- Are actively experiencing symptoms related to celiac disease such as abdominal pain, abdominal cramping, bloating or gas
- Have been on a gluten-free diet for at least 6 months
PROACTIVE Study
Are you still experiencing celiac disease symptoms despite your best efforts to follow a gluten-free diet?
The PROACTIVE Celiac Study is looking for people between the ages of 18 and 70, who have biopsy-confirmed celiac disease and have been on a gluten-free diet for at least the last 12 months. You will not be asked to ingest gluten in this study. The goal of this phase 2 clinical trial is to test the safety and effects of the investigational medication PRV-015. In combination with a gluten-free diet, PRV-015 aims to reduce symptoms and intestinal inflammation caused by accidental gluten exposure.
Learn More
See if You Qualify
Use referral code: REFBC
Allergic Living Spotlight
From the Editor: Why It’s So Vital to Discuss Food Allergy Anxiety
Managing a food allergy—or a similarly tough gluten-free diet—can be stressful and exhausting. There’s no such thing as taking a break or a cheat day when your medical treatment is a strict diet. Allergic Living editor Gwen Smith sat down to write about why recognizing this phenomenon of hypervigilence is so important to our own mental health.
News, Events & Updates
Beyond Celiac Earns Guidestar Platinum Seal
Our organization earned a 2021 Platinum Seal of Transparency! Now, everyone can see our strategy, metrics and achievements. Check out our updated nonprofit profile on Guidestar.
Alice’s Tips for Traveling with Celiac Disease
In this article Beyond Celiac CEO Alice Bast shares her top tips for traveling safely with celiac disease. She believes it’s important to continue living as “normal” a life as possible after a celiac disease diagnosis—that includes travel.
New Episode of our Podcast Celiac Straight Talk
In the upcoming weeks, a small group of Reach Beyond Celiac Ambassadors will sit down and talk about living with celiac disease. In this episode, Bill, Lauren, Hayden and Clayton discuss finding love when you have celiac disease. Check out “Episode 32: ‘Can You Brush Your Teeth?’ Dating with Celiac Disease.”
Beyond Celiac Town Hall—10 Biggest Changes in the Celiac Disease World
On July 28 Beyond Celiac Director of Scientific Affairs Amy Ratner and Erica Dermer of Celiac and the Beast had a lively conversation on the state of the gluten-free community and how drastically the world has changed since the 90s for those with celiac disease. If you couldn’t make it to the event you can watch it on our website.
Raise Money for Beyond Celiac on Facebook!
Happy birth-month to all our August-born community members! When your big day rolls around, consider raising money for Beyond Celiac so that we can help fund new research scientists in the celiac disease field. And a HUGE thank you to everyone who’s created fundraisers for us throughout the years!