@airey2
Hi,

This is so interesting and I did a little research because, although I do not have CD, my mom was born in Ireland and my dad in England. I found that both parents have to have the gene in order for it to occur in the next generation. They have identified it as a mutant gene which may have been around since 900 AD and is prevalent in Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Northern Europe. It was originally called the Celtic Disease. There is research suggesting a relation to another mutant gene causing an iron overload (not anemia) called Hemochromatosis.

You think of Irish food and you think of potatoes and oats. They theorize that the Irish , in the early centuries , had a high gluten diet. But even though the diet has changed dramatically, the gluten intolerant genes persisted ultimately leading to the high rate of CD in these countries. And it’s not only the Celtic countries.

I remember my mom, who had 2 Irish parents and grandparents, having stomach problems when she was about 50. She had 3/4s of her stomach removed after having suffered a duodenal ulcer for a long time. I don’t know if she had CD but she could eat anything after that operation but only small amounts. My dad never had a problem with stomach issues. His ancestors were a mix of Irish and English so I am guessing he did not have this gene and perhaps my mom did.

Anyway, now I know how the name originated. We have one friend who has celiac and I know how hard it is to live with that. She suffers when she doesn’t pay attention to what she eats.

FL Mary