Did You Know?
Here are some of the most staggering facts about celiac disease and the gluten-free marketplace. Each statement highlights the need for education and awareness among the medical and culinary communities as well as the general public.
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Celiac and Gluten-Free Fast Facts:
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Celiac disease is an autoimmune digestive disease that damages the villi of the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food.
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One in 133 Americans have celiac disease.
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An estimated 3 million Americans across all races, ages and genders suffer from celiac.
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95% of celiacs are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed with other conditions. (Source: Fasano A, et al. Arch Intern Med. 2003;163:286-292.)
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6-10 years is the average time a person waits to be correctly diagnosed. (Source: Daniel Leffler, MD, MS, The Celiac Center at Beth Israel Deaconness Medical Center)
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5-22% of celiac patients have an immediate family member (1st degree relative) who also has celiac.
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Celiac disease can lead to a number of other disorders including infertility, reduced bone density, neurological disorders, some cancers, and other autoimmune diseases.
Learn more about Related Diseases »
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Burden of disease over four-year period per patient:
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Females: $4,019
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Males: $14,191
(Source: Long et al, 2010)
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There are NO pharmaceutical cures for celiac disease.
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A 100% gluten-free diet is the only existing treatment for celiac today. Get gluten-free recipes and tips on where to shop »
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A positive attitude, 100% of the time, helps celiacs create a gluten-free lifestyle for themselves and their affected family members.
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The celiac disease diagnosis rate may reach 50-60% by 2019, thanks to efforts to raise public awareness of celiac disease. (Source: Datamonitor Group, 2009)
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Gluten-free sales reached more than $2.6 billion by the end of 2010 and are now expected to exceed more than $5 billion by 2015. (Source: Packaged Facts, 2011)
Could you have celiac disease? Find out. Take our celiac disease symptoms checklist now.