One in every 133 people in the US may have Celiac Disease. The only known treatment is to eliminate all foods containing gluten.

Prevalence of Celiac Disease in the US: (taken from the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Program Fact Sheet) In average healthy people: 1 in 133

            In people with related symptoms: 1 in 56

            In people with first-degree relatives (parent, child, sibling) who are celiac: 1 in 22

            In people with second-degree relatives (aunt, uncle, cousins) who are celiac: 1 in 39

            Investigators determined that 60% of children and 41% of adults diagnosed during the study were asymptomatic (without any symptoms).

            The average length of time it takes for a symptomatic person to be diagnosed with CD in the US is 11 years, this type of delay dramatically increases and individuals risk for developing autoimmune disorders, neurological problems, osteoporosis and even cancer.

Face the Numbers: (statistics also from Univ of Chicago CD Program) Univ of Chicago CD Info line: 773-702-7593

Chronic Illness in US

Epilepsy affects 2.8 million

Cystic Fibrosis: 30,000 people

Parkinson’s Disease: 500,000

Autism: 556,000

Crohn’s Disease: 500,000

Celiac Disease: 2.2 Million

Celiac Disease can also be related to Diabetes, Infertility and Down syndrome

Celiac Disease is a genetic, autoimmune disease that affects the digestive system. When an individual consumes gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, barley and oats, it damages the lining of the small intestine (makes it like a slip n’ slide). As a result, the small intestine loses its ability to absorb nutrients from food, which leads to malnutrition and other health complications.