Late-Summer Roundup

The gluten-free news never stops

We’re in the final stretch of summer, a time notoriously lazy, hazy, and crazy, according to the classic Nat King Cole song. That used to mean slow news days for August, when newsrooms emptied out and journalists went on vacation. But in 2024, it feels like the news cycle never ends. Here are some of the latest stories that have caught my attention, and that I think are worth yours.

“Researchers Crack a Celiac Mystery: Where Does the Gluten Reaction Begin?” Writing in a McMaster University publication, Wade Hemsworth reports that an interdisciplinary team of scientists centered at the Canadian university has spent six years exploring how and why a gluten response begins. “It was previously thought that the inflammatory response to gluten occurred inside the gut wall and exclusively involved immune cells, but in a new paper published Friday in the journal Gastroenterology, researchers show there is more to the story. They found that the inner lining of the upper intestine, called the ‘epithelium’ —composed of a variety of cells that are not classically part of the immune system — also plays an active role in directing the inflammatory response to gluten.” The scientific paper is available online at Gastroenterology, if you want all the details.

“Switzerland Gluten-Free Food Tour: From Hotels to Groceries & Beyond”: This article by Melissa Erdelac in AOL News is a great guide to local dishes, customs, grocery stores and other news you can use to travel safely. On a personal note, Switzerland was one of the first countries I visited after my celiac diagnosis — a time before Google Translate and gluten-free apps! — and I found restaurants to be really helpful and well-informed back then. It sounds like things have only gotten better.

“Gluten Free Madrid: Highlights from a World Class Gluten Free City”: I love Rachel Ciordas’s Next Level Gluten Free Substack, and her detailed account of her recent trip to Spain’s capital city will make you want to get on the next plane there. Talk about an embarrassment of (gluten-free) riches!

“Pilot Sues United Airlines for Not Providing Him Gluten-Free Food”: I’ve written about the difficulty in securing gluten-free meals on some airlines, but I hadn’t realized that even pilots can have that issue. Writing in Newsweek, Sean O’Driscoll reports that Captain Mark Mackenzie, a United Airlines pilot with 35 years of flying experience, was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2020, and his employer continues to deny him meals he can eat — while charging him for meals he cannot eat.

“Gluten, Who Knows You? 11 Spots to Indulge in Gluten-Free Goodies”: If you’re bound for Buenos Aires, check out Time Out’s updated guide to eating gluten-free in Argentina’s capital city. (You’ll see some overlap with this great piece...)

“Exploring the Safety of Malt Vinegar for Celiacs”: I recently discovered Roy P. Awbery’s The Celiac Scientist on Substack and have been diving into the archives. I was intrigued with this piece because malt vinegar has been on my Do Not Touch list since 2004, when I was diagnosed with celiac disease. However, Awbery notes that “malt vinegar is generally deemed safe for celiacs in the UK. Organisations like Coeliac UK note that the gluten content is usually well below the 20 ppm threshold.” Back in 2004, I was also told I couldn’t have oats or wheat-based glucose syrup, so I’m aware recommendations can change. In any case, there’s lots of interesting reading here!

“Mass Screening for Celiac Disease in Children ‘Highly Cost Effective’ vs Standard Care”: Writing in Healio, Kate Burba reports on a Netherlands study that demonstrates getting an early diagnosis of celiac disease “treatment can be initiated promptly, leading to improved health outcomes, reduced disease burden and potentially cost savings.” I can only hope that other countries will follow Italy’s lead and start screening early (even if they’re only motivated by finances).

“How to Navigate Ice Cream Shops With Celiac Disease”: Christina Heiser’s Celiac Self-Care is another of my favorite gluten-free Substacks, and this is the perfect summer story. So before those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer melt away, read up on safely enjoying the perfect summer treat. See you after Labor Day!