Celiac Disease Becoming More Common

Over the past few years, I’ve heard of several people who have been diagnosed with celiac disease . Most large grocery stores now have sections that contain gluten-free products , the only type of food those with celiac disease can eat. Why is it this? Has there been a rise in number of people with celiac disease or is it just being recognized more?

Researchers were puzzled too, so they undertook a study to find out. According to a press release issued by the Mayo Clinic:

“Celiac disease has become much more common in the last 50 years, and we don’t know why,” says Joseph Murray, M.D., the Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist who led the study. “It now affects about one in a hundred people. We also have shown that undiagnosed or ’silent’ celiac disease may have a significant impact on survival. The increasing prevalence, combined with the mortality impact, suggests celiac disease could be a significant public health issue.”

People with celiac disease are unable to process gluten , a substance found in many foods, and this results in the body being unable to absorb necessary nutrients. Gluten is found in wheat, rye, and barley.

In an average kitchen, it’s not hard to find something with gluten in it, as you find it in breads, cereals, pastas, cookies, and even some types of medications and candies. Gluten is, quite literally, everywhere.

There’s no cure for celiac disease, nor is there a treatment. The only thing someone with the disease can do is to avoid all gluten. However, and this is something that many people don’t understand, this inability to tolerate gluten isn’t a mere inconvenience that allows you to cheat once in a while. Every time someone with celiac disease consumes gluten, more damage is done to the intestine. Many people with untreated celiac disease develop intestinal cancer.

Here are some links – in addition to the one above – to help you learn more:

American Celiac Disease Alliance

Celiac Disease Foundation

Celiac Sprue Association/USA Inc.

Gluten Intolerance Group of North America

National Foundation for Celiac Awareness

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