Infertility, Miscarriage & Celiac Disease

Infertility is one of the lesser-known and unfortunate side-effects of celiac disease.  According to Dr. Shelia Crowe, professor of gastroenterology and hepatology at the University of Virginia, in the article Can Foods Contribute to Infertility?  in the New York Times, some gynecological and obstetrical problems, including infertility, miscarriage and premature births, are more common in women with untreated celiac disease.  Even men aren’t immune:  untreated celiac disease can lead to abnormal sperm and lower testosterone levels.  Dr. Sarah Berga, from Emory University explains (in this video) that celiac disease can mimic fertility disorders.  Most doctors have not been trained to screen for it, says Dr. Berga.

Another great point that Dr. Crowe makes is this:  Who really feels like doing it when they feel like crap?  Okay, that’s not how Dr. Crowe put it, exactly, but you get it, right?  Before diagnosis, people with celiac disease feel horrible.  Between the diarrhea, pain, fatigue and skin rashes, romance is the pretty much the last thing on our minds.  And, just like we learned in middle school, it takes two to make a baby.

Dr. Crowe suggests that if a woman is having trouble conceiving or has had multiple miscarriages, “consideration should be given to screening her for celiac disease by antibody testing.”  In an earlier article, Dr. Crowe offers readers good information on getting tested.  As we know, the only treatment for celiac disease is by strictly following a totally gluten free diet.  There is some good news, though, says Dr. Crowe,  “With proper treatment with a gluten-free diet and correction of nutritional deficiencies, the prognosis for future pregnancies is much improved.”

I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2002, but throughout my childbearing years, I have suffered at least 8 miscarriages.  Although I've been gluten free for years, I have been struggling with infertility for the past 7 years.  What about you?  Is celiac disease preventing you from making/expanding your family?  Comment below or send me an email so we can share & compare.  

Katz Gluten Free: Dedicated to GF Perfection

French toast made with challah bread. Delicate cinnamon rugelah with coffee. Breaded chicken cutlets. Chocolate chip cookies that TASTE like chocolate chip cookies. Not possible on a gluten free diet? Think again, my friends. Katz Gluten Free offers some amazing GF products. Challah bread and rolls, rugelahs, cookies, cakes, pizza crust, even bread crumbs.

Katz takes providing gluten free foods very seriously. Not only do they follow strict preparation and manufacturing guidelines, but their products are certified by the Gluten Intolerance Group.  Mrs. Katz’s own children are gluten intolerant, so she knows first-hand how difficult it can be to find and make food that won’t make your child sick. She is constantly trying new recipes, which, thankfully, translate to new products for the rest of us! They state-of-the-art facility is strictly gluten free, and also entirely free of nuts and dairy, so if you have those allergies or intolerances, you don’t have to worry.

I was lucky enough to try some of Katz’s goodies recently, and I was impressed. The challah rolls are tall and fluffy and delicious. The rugelah is very tasty and delicate. But the cookies… Do you remember Chips Ahoy chocolate chip cookies from back in your gluten-eating days? Well, Katz’s chocolate chippers taste JUST LIKE Chips Ahoy, just smaller. Incredible.

 

Right now, Katz Gluten Free products are a little tough to find in person. Your best bet is to buy them directly from their website or Amazon.com. If you happen to live near one of these grocery stores, you’re in luck because they carry some Katz products:

Hiller’s stores in Michigan.

Hy-Vee stores in the Midwest.
Mrs. Green’s Natural Markets in NY and CT.
King Kullen in NY.

 If it’s important to you, Katz Gluten Free foods are also certified Kosher.   No matter what, I'm sure taste is important to you, so you owe it to yourself to find some Katz Gluten Free products.  (You can thank me later:)  )


Follow Katz Gluten Free on Twitter: katzglutenfree

Snow Day Baking!

There's nothing like a record breaking blizzard to bring out your inner Betty Crocker.  While over a foot of snow fell on top of the foot and a half from last week, I was toasty warm inside, trying out some gluten free recipes.

One of the foods I miss most since I've been GF is soft pretzels.  (I live near Philly, after all.)  I just received an e-cookbook from Jules, she of the awesome Jules All-Purpose Gluten Free Flour mix, and she had a recipe for soft pretzels, which was also featured on About.com.  Just the thing for a snow day.

Step-by-step, here's what we did...
1.  the yeast, water and sugar are proofing..

2.  the dough, after mixing in the stand mixer...

3.  rolling out the dough "snakes"...

4.  brushing oil on the pretzels...

5.  after the baking soda bath...

Finished product!!!  It might not be pretty, but it sure was delicious!!!