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American
Dietetic Association (ADA) Endorses May as
Celiac
Awareness Month
The
food
and nutritional professional members of the ADA are
instrumental in helping individuals adjust to medically
required diets. They, better than most health
professionals, understand how critical the GF diet is to
those with celiac disease.
With this in mind,
and knowing of the need to raise awareness, the ADA
wrote to Congress earlier this month in support of the
Celiac Awareness legislation (see below).
There's so much
that we are able to do when we work together as a
community and with other organizations who share the
goal of improving the health and well-being of those
with celiac disease.
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March 12,
2008
The Honorable Nita Lowey
United States House of Representative
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Ms. Lowey:
The
American Dietetic Association is the largest
organization of food and nutrition
professionals in the United States. We
promote optimal nutrition and well being of
all people, by relying on evidence-based
practices and policies. To that end, ADA is
pleased to support H. Con. Res 70 that would
support the goals and ideals of National
Celiac Awareness Month, encourage screening
and early detection of celiac disease, and
promote Federal funding for celiac disease
research.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition,
where the body's immune system starts
attacking normal tissue, such as intestinal
tissue, in response to eating gluten, a
protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. The
only known treatment for celiac disease is
to follow a gluten-free diet and registered
dietitians play a vital role in helping
people with celiac disease successfully
follow this treatment plan. The NIH
Consensus Development Conference on Celiac
Disease held in June 2004 found that
consultation with a skilled dietitian and
identification and treatment of nutritional
deficiencies were key elements in the
management of celiac disease.
H.
Con. Res. 70 is a positive step in
acknowledging the prevalence of celiac
disease in the United States, and the
importance role registered dietitians play
in helping people with celiac disease
successfully manage this disease.
We
look forward to working with you and your
staff on this issue.
Sincerely,
Ronald E. Smith
Director, Government Relations
American Dietetic Association |
National
Commission on Digestive Diseases Releases Draft Report
to NIH / NIDDK in Setting Research
Priorities
February 8, 2008 -- The National Commission on Digestive Diseases has
released a draft report entitled, "Opportunities and Challenges in
Digestive Diseases Research: Recommendations of the National
Commission on Digestive Diseases."
The ACDA applauds the Commission for its detailed report which
highlights the need for research in specific areas, including celiac disease.
It reflects the research priorities of the entire digestive disease
research community. Once finalized the report will help guide the direction of
NIH-supported research initiatives - and hopefully those of other digestive
disease research groups - for the next decade.
ACDA members -- Dr. Alessio Fasano, Dr. Peter Green, Dr. Joseph Murray,
and Dr. Martin Kagnoff participated in working groups or served as advisors
to the Commission.
The public has until March 8, 2008 to submit comments on the report.
The ACDA will be carefully reviewing the recommendations and submitting
comments.
Read the Draft Report
Archives
U.S. Celiac Community
Mourns the Loss of "Gluten Free Gourmet" Bette Hagman
American Celiac Disease Alliance Announces New Members
FDA
Reports to Congress on Cross-Contamination
Federal Employee Health Plan Now Covers Dietitian Services
Press Release on Passage of the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act
Representative Lowey Thanks Task
Force for Help with Labeling Bill
House Appropriations Committee
Hears First Ever Testimony on Celiac Disease
Task Force Testimony on Juvenile
Diabetes and Celiac Disease
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