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By CATHY DYSON

Two local support groups for those who can't tolerate gluten will hear from a well-known doctor during a special event Sunday.

The King George Gluten Intolerance & Celiac Group is marking its fifth anniversary with a joint event with the Fredericksburg Celiac Support Group. Members will meet at 2 p.m. Sunday at Fredericksburg United Methodist Church for a video chat with Dr. Ron Hoggan of Vancouver.

He's written several books about gluten, a protein found in rye, barley and wheat. Those who have no tolerance to gluten develop damage to the small intestine when they eat it, which leads to diarrhea and abdominal pain.

Hoggan also edits The Journal of Gluten Sensitivity, which offers information on celiac, the disease associated with gluten sufferers.

Hoggan will address the group during the Internet chat, then answer questions from the audience.

Each person who attends will get an information packet and gluten-free treats.

About 60 people are members of the King George and Fredericksburg support groups, said Shirley Braden of King George.

The Fredericksburg group meets at 9 a.m. on the second Saturday of the month at Ukrop's. The King George group doesn't have a set schedule, but meetings are announced on Braden's Web site, glutenfreeeasily.com.

On her site, Braden shares recipes for a gluten-free lifestyle as well as answers to commonly asked questions about diagnosis and associated conditions.

Cathy Dyson: 540/374-5425
Email: cdyson@freelancestar.com