Could "Nanojuice" help diagnose Celiac Disease?

Researchers at the University of Buffalo have developed an imaging technique that could help with diagnosing Celiac Disease in patients.
This imaging technique, called "Nanojuice," could allow doctors to see the muscles contract as food moves through the small intestine. Observing this process in "real time" could really assist doctors in accurately diagnosing patients with gastrointestinal disorders.

What makes this imaging technique function is ingestion of liquid that contains suspended nanoparticles. The nanoparticle base has a "family of dyes" called napthalcyanines. These molecules are great at absorbing light, which makes them an ideal contrast agent. However, it doesn't make them suitable for the human body. Reason being, with having the dye as the base, particles could become absorbed in the intestines and then venture out into the blood stream.
In order to remedy this problem, researchers decided to INJECT the dye into the nanoparticles. This change actually helped for successful disbursement.

Researchers did experiment with the Nanojuice using mice. They injected the Nanojuice, orally, then used ultrasound imaging to help visualize (via the nanoparticles) what was happening in the intestine.

Researchers are currently working on taking this breakthrough to the next step, with human trials.
They also want to use the Nanojuice to test other regions of the gastrointestinal tract.

My Two Cents:
With the surge of people being diagnosed with Celiac disease, I think it's amazing that they are coming out with new methods to diagnose people with. I also suffer from other GI diseases, and I am "inconclusive" for Crohn's Disease. If we could get more accurate testing methods, can you imagine how many more lives could be spared from years of sickness and pain? It just blows my mind.

[photo credit: www.digitaljournal.com , www.1ohww.org ]

Celebrities who have Celiac Disease

Getting diagnosed with Celiac Disease can be pretty tough (believe me, I remember how hard it was for me). You may be the first among your family and/or friends that has been diagnosed as Celiac. It can be lonely (even though my grandmother had it, and I was partially raised by her, she had been gone for a few years when I was diagnosed. I had no one). What gave me some comfort was that I was not alone. Some of the celebrities I look up to were also Celiac Disease sufferers. People like Elizabeth Hasselbeck and Emmy Rossum had been living with the disease for years before I was diagnosed. I researched both and learned a lot from them. Also, learning that my first celeb crush has 2 Celiacs in his family really helped me feel less alone. Here is a list of celebs who have diagnosed Celiac Disease: Elizabeth Hasselbeck (public figure) Emmy Rossum (actress) Wil Wheaton's mom and sister Meg Cabot (author) Sarah Joy Brown (actress) Joe C (rapper who frequently performed with

South Park's Gluten-Free Ebola Episode

photo credit: southparkdigital Greetings Celiac Warriors! Recently, South Park did a gluten free episode that got a lot of attention in the gluten free and Celiac communities. For the most part, the reaction has been positive. Many folks, including myself, found it hilarious. You may be wondering what the episode was about. I'm going to give you the cliff notes version: The episode starts off with the kids returning to school after their start up company fails. Then the show cuts to the teachers lounge where the teachers are discussing Mr. Mackey who has gone gluten free. Mr. Mackey comes back and starts blaming all the world's problems on gluten. A co-worker becomes annoyed by all the gluten free talk and starts screaming at Mr. Mackey to shut up. Mackey states that behavior problems are due to gluten consumption. A female teacher expresses interest in going gluten free. Later on, the boys are on the radio promoting an "epic" party. Callers ask the boys i

Why we need more awareness about Celiac Disease.

Celiac Disease Awareness Month is here, and it is important that we continue to raise awareness in hopes it helps the rest of the world to take us seriously. This morning, I came across a heartbreaking story of a woman who died from complications of celiac disease. She had ignored her symptoms and didn't adhere to a GF diet. She, like all of us, ate wheat products for a portion of her life. Her body loved wheat. I mean, wheat products were yummy! When she was diagnosed with Celiac, not only was it during a time when gluten free food was very sparse, she had difficulty giving up what she loved: foods with wheat ingredients. She suffered the consequences of not adhering to a GF diet, as her liver gave out on her. She also had an enlarged stomach and had gained 30 pounds. She succumbed to her complications, and her daughter has spoken about her mother's health issues. She, like all of us, are hoping for more awareness to be raised. We as Celiacs need more support. All of

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