Saturday, December 25, 2010

Celiac and Genes

"Regardless of the environmental factors that may
contribute to the onset of celiac disease, a genetic
predisposition must exist in order for a person to
actually develop the condition. Ninety-nine percent
of celiacs have one of the genetic markers associated
with the disease - HLA-DQ2 or HLA-DQ8. It's important
to note that up to 40 percent of the general population
also tests positive for these two genes markers. Recently,
a team of British researchers scanned the genetic maps
of more than 9,400 celiac patients. Over a dozen new
genetic links to the disease were identified. Research
is ongoing."

-Living Without Magazine August/September 2010

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