Tax Information for Patients with Celiac Disorder

TAX DEDUCTION FOR GLUTEN-FREE FOODS AS A MEDICAL EXPENSE FOR DIAGNOSED CELIAC DISEASE ONLY

1) You can claim only the EXTRA COST of the gluten-free product over what you would pay for the similar item at a grocery store. For example, if wheat flour costs .89/5 lbs. and rice flour is $3.25/5 lbs., the DIFFERENCE of $ 2.36 is tax deductible. You may also claim mileage expense for the extra trip to the health food store and postal costs on gluten-free products ordered by mail.

2) The cost of xanthan gum (methylcellulose, etc.) used in gluten-free home baked goods is completely different than anything used in an ordinary recipe, so in the opinion of the IRS, the total cost of this product can be claimed.

3) Save all cash register tapes, receipts, and canceled checks to substantiate your gluten-free purchases. You need not submit it with your return, but do retain it.

4) Attach a letter from your Doctor to your tax return. This letter should state that you have Celiac Sprue disease and must adhere to a total gluten-free diet for life.

5) Under MEDICAL CONDITIONS list as Extra cost of a gluten-free diet the total amount of your extra expenses. You do not need to itemize these expenses.

Your IRS office may refer you to Publication 17 and tell you these deductions are not permissible. IRS representatives have ruled otherwise and this is applicable throughout the US. Refer them to the following Citations:

• Revenue Ruling 55-261
• Cohen 38 TC 387
• Revenue Ruling 76-80, 67 TC 481
• Flemming TC MEMO 1980 583
• Van Kalb TC MEMO 1978 366

This is for informational purposes only as I am not a trained CPA or Attorney. ALWAYS discuss this deduction with your personal accountant or tax attorney.

Gene C.

4 Foods That Fight Cholesterol

We all know (or should) that a healthy diet is the first line of defense against rising cholesterol. If you include a lot of fruit and vegetables in your daily diet plus some fish then you are on your way to keeping your cholesterol at a healthy level. Certain foods sometimes referred to a "super foods" can and do help lower your bad cholesterol and/or increase the good cholesterol. The ideal level and balance of cholesterol should be under 200 with the LDL (bad one) under 110 and HDL (good one) being greater than 35.

Almonds: Studies have found that eating a little as 2 ounces of almonds daily can lower your cholesterol by a little more than 4%. But be careful and don't over do it since almonds can be high in calories so you want to stick with the dry roasted nuts.

Oatmeal: I imagine you have seen all the T.V. commercials touting the results of some dramatic drop in cholesterol numbers of people who have had a daily serving of hot oatmeal. The high soluble fiber in the oatmeal is the catalyst for such dramatic reduction in the numbers. It does not matter how you get your oats weather it's instant or stove top they are all just as good. Remember it's the fiber that is the active ingredient here.

Red Wine: (my favorite) A glass of red wine, which contains flavonals, has been shown to have certain anti-inflammatory properties that may help lower cholesterol. One drink a day for women and two drinks a day for gents.More than that can actually work against you. However, be advised these flavonals can also be found in red grape juice and dark cocoa.

Soy: Soybeans, soy nuts and edamame (my favorite) and other products made from soy like tofu and soy milk can help reduce new cholesterol production. About 25 grams of soy protein per day should be good, however if you are at an increased risk of breast or prostate cancer you may want to discuss your consumption of soy with your personal physician before adding this wonderful product to your every day diet. The reason is is that too much of soy's phyto-estrogens can act similar to the body's own estrogen which has been shown to feed some hormone dependant tumors.


Gene C.

UPS Raises Rates

UPS has recently announced a 5.7% rate increase to take effect on January 1st, 2009. We will not be increasing our prices, but we regret that we will have to change our minimums for "free shipping" and "free Shipping plus 10% discount. Effective February 1st our "shipping fee for orders $64.99 and under will be $7.50 for UPS Ground. All orders over $65.00 will be shipped free of charge via UPS Ground. All orders over $135.00 will be shipped free of charge by UPS Ground and receive the 10% discount. There are no other changes to our shipping policy at this time.

We sincerely appreciate your interest in our products and hope to continue to serve you into 2009 and beyond.

Gene C.

Vitamin D-The New Supervitamin?

I know of a Bariatric Surgeon here in Atlanta that recommends to all his bypass surgery patients that they take in a 50,000 I.U. dose of vitamin D each day to deter a vitamin D deficiency. While that may be a bit of a high dose for folks like you and me just consider the statistic that 257,000 cancer deaths in 2007 were linked to low vitamin D levels. Here is why experts say it's time to get way more vitamin D. The "D" in vitamin D does not stand for deficiency but it might as well. Current guidelines call for 200 to 600 I.U. daily; many researchers now feel we may need up to 1000 I.U. or more from vitamin D rich foods such as fish and low fortified dairy products, 10 to 15 minutes of direct sunlight daily, and supplements. New studies show stocking up on the "sunshine vitamin" may improve your health in a variety of ways. Here is why:

Getting enough D can:
Relieve backaches. Among 360 back pain patients, symptoms improved in 95% of those who took a high dose of vitamin D daily for 3 months.

Ward of cancer:
Higher levels may cut in half your risk of getting breast, colon, or rectal cancer; consuming 300 I.U. daily reduced pancreatic cancer risk up to 44% compared with those who consumed less than 150 I.U. daily.

Deter diabetes:
In a study of more than 83,000 women, those with the highest combined intakes of calcium and vitamin D had the lowest risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Being deficient in D can:
Damage your heart. Inadequate amounts may increase the risk of peripheral artery disease by 80%.

Weaken bones:
Eighty five percent of women hospitalized for osteoporotic hip fractures have a deficiency of vitamin D.

Increase the blues:
Blood levels of D were 14% lower in depressed individuals a recent study discovered.

Shorten your life:
Among 13,331 adults, a deficiency boosted premature death risk by 26%.

This very inexpensive vitamin can make a difference in your health, well being and quality of life.
I'm going to start on this supplement myself, why don't you consult your primary care Physician to see if this vitamin could be to your benefit. If you do start a vitamin D regimin, after consulting with your Physician, please let me know if you are feeling any difference and perhaps we can blog your results.

As always, thank you so much for your support in 2008, Jan and I wish you a mega prosperous 2009 and if we can do anything at all for you, please do not hesitate to call on us.

Gene C.