Celebrities Opening Up About Living with Celiac Disease

Understanding Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes damage to the small intestine when gluten is ingested. Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley and rye. When people with celiac disease eat foods containing gluten, their immune system reacts by attacking the small intestine. This damages the villi, small finger-like projections in the intestine that absorb nutrients from food.

Symptoms of Celiac Disease

Common symptoms of celiac disease include:

• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Bloating and gas
• Abdominal pain
• Anemia

However, symptoms can vary greatly from person to person. Some people develop celiac disease as a child, while others are not diagnosed until adulthood. There are more than 200 possible celiac disease symptoms, many of which are also common to other conditions.

Getting Tested for Celiac Disease

Celiac disease often goes undiagnosed. It's estimated that 83% of Americans with celiac disease are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed with other conditions. That's why testing is important, especially if you have a family history of celiac disease or symptoms associated with it.

Your doctor can test for celiac disease using blood tests and endoscopy. The only treatment for celiac disease is maintaining a strict gluten-free diet. Fortunately, the gluten-free diet allows for healing of the small intestine in most people.

Celebrities With Celiac Disease

A number of celebrities have opened up about living with celiac disease in hopes of raising awareness for this often misunderstood autoimmune disorder. Here are some of the most notable celebrity spokespeople.

Zooey Deschanels Late Celiac Diagnosis

When indie darling and New Girl star Zooey Deschanel was diagnosed with celiac disease, it came as a surprise - she was well into adulthood when doctors connected her symptoms to the disorder. For years, Deschanel suffered through symptoms like acid reflux, fatigue and bloating without knowing their cause. After eliminating gluten from her diet, her health improved greatly.

Deschanel uses her high-profile platform to speak openly about her experience, bringing attention to often overlooked symptoms and encouraging diagnosis and dietary changes. As someone diagnosed later in life, shes proof that celiac can develop at any age.

Rachel Weisz Credits Good Doctors for Diagnosis

For actress Rachel Weisz, who starred in movies like The Favourite and Black Widow, a discovery of celiac disease came after years of experiencing crippling symptoms. Before her diagnosis, she suffered from lethargy so extreme she could barely get out of bed. It wasnt until switching doctors that she finally got answers.

After cutting out gluten, Weisz regained her energy and went into remission. She advocates for celiac awareness and credits the doctors who finally gave her the right diagnosis and treatment when others missed it.

Courteney Cox Gets Tested After Pregnancy Issues

Courteney Cox has been remarkably open about her experience with celiac disease, miscarriages and in vitro fertilization on her road to starting a family. The Friends icon suffered miscarriages, then had her daughter Coco before receiving a celiac disease diagnosis.

In her 40s at the time, Cox had been experiencing stomach issues and other concerning symptoms for years. After testing positive for the genetic marker, she adopted a strict gluten-free diet under medical guidance. By speaking out, Cox spotlights celiac issues related to pregnancy and middle age.

Other Notable Celebrities with Celiac

Many other big name celebs have spoken about living with celiac disease as well, including:

• NASCAR driver Austin Dillon
• Pop star Ke$ha
• Mr. Robot actor Rami Malek
• The Offices Jenna Fischer
• Grammy-winner Meat Loaf

The more celebrities talk openly about celiac disease, the more it removes stigmas around diagnosis and living gluten-free. As their influence raises awareness, it encourages fans struggling with symptoms to talk with their doctor about testing.

The Gluten-Free Diet

The only current medically accepted treatment for celiac disease is adopting a strict lifelong gluten-free diet. For most sufferers, following a gluten-free diet helps heal existing intestinal damage and prevents additional harm.

What Foods Contain Gluten?

Gluten is a protein naturally found in cereal grains like:

• Wheat
• Barley
• Rye

It's commonly added to foods like baked goods, noodles, beer, cereals, sauces and more to impact texture and elasticity. Reading ingredient labels carefully and looking for gluten-free labels can help identify foods to enjoy or avoid.

Transitioning to Gluten-Free

Eliminating gluten from your everyday diet requires some adjustments. Finding substitute grains and flours to use for baking gluten-free recipes takes trial and error. But health food stores now sell a variety of gluten-free products. With practice, gluten-free diets become second nature.

For newly-diagnosed celiac sufferers, working with a doctor, nutritionist or support group can make the transition smoother. These resources help ensure important nutrients still get absorbed while crafting a diet you can comfortably maintain.

Importance of Staying Strictly Gluten-Free

Its crucial for those with celiac disease to remain 100% gluten-free to prevent intestinal damage and avoid complications like malnutrition, osteoporosis and certain cancers. Consuming even small hidden sources of gluten found in sauces, lip products and medications can trigger symptoms.

Staying strictly gluten-free becomes habitual over time. Occasional accidental exposures happen, but by eliminating obvious and hidden sources of gluten, most people avoid major setbacks.

Living Well Gluten-Free

Adjusting your lifestyle around celiac disease and a gluten-free diet can feel challenging and limiting at first. But with the right information and strategies, you can minimize symptoms, prevent damage, and thrive.

Coping Emotionally After Diagnosis

Being diagnosed with an chronic autoimmune disease triggers a rollercoaster of emotions. Feeling upset, depressed, angry, resentful or afraid are normal responses. Some find comfort in counseling or support groups. Over time, these feelings typically become more manageable.

Remember, adopting a gluten-free diet lets your small intestine heal and helps you feel considerably better. Focusing on renewed health and energy makes the transition easier.

Incorporating Gluten-Free Fun

Sticking to a gluten-free diet doesnt mean missing out. More restaurants now offer gluten-free menus and training to avoid cross-contamination. Many cuisines like Indian, Thai and Mediterranean cooking translate well gluten-free.

Exploring gluten-free specialty products at grocery stores and farmers markets keeps meal-planning exciting. Getting creative with recipes and finding community through gluten-free blogs helps too.

With planning and assertive ordering, you can still enjoy travel, dining out and social events without gluten. Supportive friends and family who understand celiac help prevent feeling deprived or isolated.

Living Life to the Fullest

Having celiac disease requires managing flair ups and diligent label reading. But maintaining a gluten-free diet minimizes symptoms for most. Stepping up awareness efforts through education and sharing stories - like celebrity advocates have done - fights stigma.

Medical research continues progressing too. Through trials of emerging treatment options beyond diet alone, one day celiac sufferers may enjoy greater flexibility and freedom. Until then, sticking to gluten-free foods lets you live life vibrantly.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.