October is Celiac Awareness Month, so I want to share a little bit about celiac disease.

I have had clients who were diagnosed with celiac disease as small children, while others never even knew they had the condition tested based on symptoms they showed in their 30s, 40s, or even 50s. Scary, right?

Celiac disease is a serious genetic autoimmune disorder in which consumption of gluten — a protein found in some grains — leads to damage in the small intestine. It is estimated to affect 1 in 100 people worldwide.

In the United States, 2.5 million have been undiagnosed and are at risk for long-term health complications, including iron deficiency, chronic diarrhea, and severe weight loss, and even cancer

In addition, if you suffer from digestive difficulties, chronic migraines, brain fog, menstrual irregularities, recurrent canker sores, or any other autoimmune condition, you should be tested. Eight-three percent of people with celiac disease undiagnosed! So frightening!

The primary way to treat celiac disease is to follow a gluten-free diet. Wheat, rye, and barley are the main glutinous grains, so those need to be avoided. There are also some not-so-obvious foods that often have gluten: potato chips, ice cream, condiments, soups, beer, seasonings, candy, and many others.

Two great websites that are great resources to learn more about celiac disease are www.celiac.org and www.beyondceliac.org. Be sure to check them out!