There is a disease you've probably never heard of, but chances are you have it or someone you know or love has it and doesn't know. Doctors now believe that one in 133 Americans have Celiac Disease, though only one in 4,700 gets diagnosed. Celiac Disease is an intestinal disorder where, when you eat wheat, barley or rye, your immune system attacks the food as if it were a virus. The results are devastating and painful. Celiac is more common than diabetes and hypertension, but because the means to diagnose it are only two or three years old, the disease is practically unknown in this country -- both to sufferers and their doctors. Producer Richard Paul presents the story of how Celiac Disease played itself out in the lives of 10 people.
Program Credits
Gut Reaction was produced by Richard Paul. This program is made possible by a grant from the members of the Celiac Sprue Association. Celiacs Helping Celiacs. More information about celiac disease is at the CSA website, www.csaceliacs.org. Corporate support comes from the Gluten-Free Mall and Amy's Kitchen, offering a wide variety of products for gluten-free diets. The music was composed and arranged by Lenny Williams. The program featured the stories of Cindy Kaplan, Larry Snyder, Desiree Ferrandi, Melissa Lenzen, Cobina Higgins, Kathy Hubbell, Kim Fanelli, Dean Cling, Bill Lock, and Kelly Vogt.
Resources
Links: Celiac Disease Foundation The Celiac Disease Foundation provides support, information and assistance to people affected by Celiac Disease.
Celiac Disease and Gluten-free Diet Support Center Celiac Disease and Gluten-free Diet Support Center at Celiac.com provides important resources and information for people on gluten-free diets due to celiac disease, gluten intolerance, dermatitis herpetiformis, wheat allergy, or other health reasons.
Celiac Sprue Association Includes information on the disease, gluten-free cooking, a product listing, and the Cel-Kids network.
The Gluten Free Mall Offering a variety of gluten, wheat and dairy-free foods for those with celiac disease, wheat allergies, and other health concerns.