May is National Celiac Awareness Month

USANA Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake by Dr. Nancy Steely (recipe will be posted tomorrow)

How familiar are you with Celiac Disease? Do you know anyone with the disease? I heard that people think it is a fad but it isn't. The below article is very informative. I am familiar with the Disease but I did not know that over 3 million Americans live and struggle with this disease. 

Here are Dr. Nancy Steely’s takeaway tips and information to take note of this National Celiac Awareness Month:

·         Those with Celiac Disease experience an immune reaction to gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley) that causes damage to their small intestine and poor absorption of nutrients. This is in addition to a wide range of seemingly random symptoms, such as muscle cramping, diarrhea or constipation, fatigue, skin rashes, joint pain and so on that can also occur.

·         Why are the symptoms so varied? Dr. Steely explained it’s because Celiac Disease is an auto-immune condition in which your body attacks your own cells, so how it manifests in each person is different. That’s also why it’s often misdiagnosed. In fact, according to the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness, people usually go 6-10 years before they’re correctly diagnosed and about 95% of celiacs today are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed with other conditions.

·         A patient diagnosed with Celiac Disease is different from someone who simply has gluten sensitivities, where negative reactions to gluten exist without visible damage to the small intestines. The numbers suggest that about 3 million Americans have CD while another 40 million Americans have gluten sensitivities. “Many people find it difficult to digest gluten, and they simply feel better by eating a gluten-free diet,” explains Dr. Steely.

·          If you have a chronic health condition that doctors cannot seem to diagnose, get tested for Celiac Disease. It’s better to rule it out than suffer longer than you need to.

Guest article provided by Dr. Nancy Steely, USANA Health Sciences’ Naturopathic Physician

Dr. Nancy Steely is a licensed Naturopathic Physician--a graduate of world-renowned Bastyr University. Her focus is on education to prevent illness and foster optimal health. Nancy has taught health-related seminars throughout the Las Vegas area and currently writes and consults for the nutraceutical, cosmeceutical and wellness industries.