NOHA honorary member, Beatrice Trum Hunter, presented a very interesting paper on "Gluten Intolerance" at the October meetings of the American Academy of Environmental Medicine in Florida. Gluten intolerance is the causative agent in celiac disease. The intestinal villi become flattened and atrophy, resulting in malabsorption of many nutrients.

Numerous research reports indicate that gluten intolerance can be a factor in diseases as diverse as skin lesions and autism. There appears to be some correlation between schizophrenia and gluten intolerance combined with milk sensitivity. Research on multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis is also cited. Previously infertile celiacs, both men and women, who adhere to a strict gluten free diet have conceived.

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. . . research reports indicate that gluten intolerance can be a factor in diseases as diverse as skin lesions and autism.

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At present, avoiding gluten is very difficult. Formerly, it was just in grains and bakery goods. However, the constituents of gluten have very convenient properties for the food processor so it has become ubiquitous. "The most satisfactory way to avoid all gluten is to avoid all factory-processed foods."