Highlighting National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) for Celiac Awareness Month

In 2003, Alice Bast founded the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA). She turned a life of illness, heartbreak, celiac diagnosis, and subsequent recovery into an award-winning organization that changes lives. I’ve shared Alice’s personal celiac story often because it involves celiac symptoms often tragically overlooked—infertility, miscarriage, stillborn birth, and a child with an extremely low birth weight. As a gluten intolerance and celiac support group leader, I hear many similarly tragic stories, both from individuals directly and from family members and friends of those affected. Usually, it’s people who know about the connection between ob/gyn issues and gluten who are sharing the stories with me in frustration. I can count the number of times on one hand that those who have suffered these symptoms have had their physician cite celiac disease (on non-celiac gluten issues) as a possible cause. Even when there is a history of celiac in the family. Even when there are other symptoms of celiac disease present. Even when the tragedies of infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth, and non-thriving babies are repeated again and again. Even when a knowledgeable relative or friend gets the patient to inquire about the possibility of celiac disease or a gluten connection. Almost every single time, the possibility is of celiac is not offered (or dismissed) by the physician and celiac testing is not done. If this situation is one you’ve experienced, demand celiac testing. I’d go even further to say that if celiac testing is negative, still eliminate gluten from your diet. Remember that a recent study showed that gluten sensitivity is real and affecting far many more millions than celiac. Together these conditions affect at least 21 million people. While gluten sensitivity is still associated with less severe reactions to gluten with no damage, respectfully, I believe much more is to come on that subject. (I’m sure many of you who do not have a celiac diagnosis, but still live—and thrive—gluten free would agree.)

The NFCA offers a wide array of resources for all. I’m going to give you a “rundown” on some of them because I feel you really need to know what’s available to you through this excellent organization.

Think you may have celiac? Complete this symptom checklist, print out the results, and take them to your doctor.  Don’t stop at completing the checklist before you head out the door though. Gather your “ammunition.” Head over to one of my very favorite parts of NFCA’s website—the Personal Stories. The stories are categorized by symptoms (e.g. Pregnancy and Fertility Issues, Headaches, Child Development, Osteoporosis), so you can quickly read the stories of those who have experienced the same symptoms as you. There are many, many stories and all are worth a read. One that I’ve shared time and time again is Allison’s story because it shows the damage that consuming spelt can quickly do to someone who is gluten free. Alison’s story also shows how rapidly the consumption of gluten can debilitate a person, even a previously energetic, athletic teenager. Even if you have been given an explanation of your condition previously by your doctor, like “you’re older; osteoporosis is a given,” “migraines run in your family,” or simply, “you’re anemic” with no explanation, read the stories and print out the ones that you can identify with. Highlight the parts that speak to you and take them to your doctor with the completed symptoms checklist.

What else should you check out on the NFCA’s website? Related Diseases can be eye opening. People with related diseases should always be tested for celiac, but often they are not. If you have one of the diseases shown, again, demand testing. We demand a refund when the cashier at the grocery store charges us the regular price for a sale item. If the cashier balks, we persist. Yet we often do not “persist” with our doctors because they are authority figures. In short, we often don’t demand the best health care for ourselves. The fact is the doctor is working for you and you can “fire” him/her, but before you go that far, gather your “ammo” and attempt to educate as you demand what you need. Most doctors really do want to help you get well, but many remain uninformed on celiac disease and non-celiac gluten issues as well.

As a group leader and community speaker, I frequently call upon the NFCA for handouts for community presentations. The NFCA has graciously sent me dozens of handouts that I’ve shared with folks trying to determine if they have gluten issues and others new to the gluten-free diet. For you, they have a page of Printable Guides. Some of these may also be used as a way to communicate with your doctor and get what you need as a patient experiencing symptoms. NFCA even has a program now to educate health care professionals, including primary care physicians. You are even given the materials to convince your physician to pursue this education on celiac.

Get up to speed on the Facts and Figures of celiac disease here. If you need more in-depth information on a topic or specific support, check out NFCA’s live webinars. They cover a wide array of topics to help the gluten-free public. For example, there’s one for the person who is 60 and over, another for the gluten-free teenager heading off to college, and another on successfully being gluten free during the holidays. You can sign up to join them live or you can view them at your convenience as all are archived on their website.

I’m also a big fan of the NFCA’s newsletter, which keeps me up to date on the different programs and resources they offer, as well as shares recipes and tips for gluten-free living. Anyone can subscribe!

Be sure to read more on what the NFCA has been up to and where they’re headed. In this video, Alice Bast talks about “Gluten-Free in the Mainstream,” including upcoming medical advances (some of which are inspiring lengthy discussion for sure).  Here’s another video below that was created after Alice won the Philadelphia Award. Note that this last video, which you can click on below, starts three minutes “in” beginning with Alice sharing her personal story. You can also see the full video here.

Last, but not least, on NFCA’s Bits and Bites blog, a gluten-free blogger is being featured each day this month! You can read about me here, but be sure to check out all the bloggers who have been featured this month and check back each day until the end of the month. I’m sure you’ll see some of your favorites and see some new folks whose blogs you’ll want to explore. Many thanks to the NFCA for all its incredible support over the years!

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