Celiac Spotlight: Heidi Collins

In today's second to last Celiac Spotlight, we have CNN anchorwoman, Heidi Collins. I chose Heidi Collins for the Celiac Spotlight because she has become a strong voice for the NFCA (National Foundation for Celiac Awareness).
It took a decade for Heidi Collins to be diagnosed with Celiac Disease. She was feeling fatigued, dealing with stomach problems, etc. She visited numerous doctors and specialists, but, they had no idea what was making her so ill. After she gave birth to her son, Riley, she was finally diagnosed with Celiac Disease.
Sadly, she is not alone in her fight. Her son, Riley, also has Celiac Disease. Her son has been able to adapt very well to the life change. He understands Celiac Disease.

Heidi Collins wanted to join the NFCA in order to raise awareness on Celiac Disease. During her career, she has had to travel a great deal, and airlines do NOT have a Gluten Free option for Celiacs. She wants to change that. She also wants to educate the world, so that more people can be diagnosed properly, and begin treatment, before they suffer the complications of Celiac Disease.

My thanks goes out to Heidi Collins, for all the hard work she has done for the Celiac community. You have truly been doing something remarkable by raising awareness about our disease.

Sources:
http://www.celiaccentral.org/press-room/NFCA-Press-Releases/Celiac-Disease-in-the-News/160/vobid--698/
http://www.everydayhealth.com/digestive-health/ibs/mylife/heidi_collins/landing.aspx

(photo courtesy of: http://www.thesimpleceliac.com/images/heidi-collins.jpg

Celebrities who have Celiac Disease

Getting diagnosed with Celiac Disease can be pretty tough (believe me, I remember how hard it was for me). You may be the first among your family and/or friends that has been diagnosed as Celiac. It can be lonely (even though my grandmother had it, and I was partially raised by her, she had been gone for a few years when I was diagnosed. I had no one). What gave me some comfort was that I was not alone. Some of the celebrities I look up to were also Celiac Disease sufferers. People like Elizabeth Hasselbeck and Emmy Rossum had been living with the disease for years before I was diagnosed. I researched both and learned a lot from them. Also, learning that my first celeb crush has 2 Celiacs in his family really helped me feel less alone. Here is a list of celebs who have diagnosed Celiac Disease: Elizabeth Hasselbeck (public figure) Emmy Rossum (actress) Wil Wheaton's mom and sister Meg Cabot (author) Sarah Joy Brown (actress) Joe C (rapper who frequently performed with

Celiac Women At a Decreased Risk for Hormone-Related Cancers.

When it comes to Celiac Disease, there really are not many benefits to the disease. However, research has shown that women, who have been diagnosed with Celiac Disease, are at a lower risk for hormone-related cancers, which include Endometrial, Breast, and Ovarian Cancers. Women with Celiac Disease are 15% less likely to develop Breast Cancer, 40% less likely to develop Endometrial Cancer, and 11% less like to develop Ovarian Cancer. Researchers believe that this is due to a decreased level of female hormones that promote reproductive Cancers. Sources: http://thesavvyceliac.com/2012/09/22/celiac-may-reduce-breast-cancer-in-women/ http://www.celiac.com/articles/23048/1/Women-With-Celiac-Disease-At-Lower-Risk-for-Hormone-Related-Cancers/Page1.html (photo courtesy of: http://uvahealth.com/services/digestive-health-1/images-and-docs/landing_page_main_digestive2.jpg/image_large )

To Eat Gluten Free Oats, or Not To Eat Gluten Free Oats?

When you're diagnosed with Celiac Disease, you are given a list of what food you cannot eat. Wheat, Barley, Rye, and Oats. However, you find that there is such a thing as gluten free oats. You wonder if it is safe for you to chance eating it. You think to yourself: "It's gluten free, so it cannot be too bad, right?" Depending on how sensitive your Celiac is, it may be bad. While a majority of Celiacs may be able to stomach gluten free oats, and granola, there are a small percentage of us that cannot handle GF oats and granola. I fall into the sensitive category. I loved eating oatmeal, before I was diagnosed with Celiac. After I was diagnosed, I was lost. It was not until a month or two after my diagnosis, where I discovered gluten free oats. I picked some up, and started eating it every morning for breakfast. It was not until day 3 of eating GF oats, where I began to feel sick. My stomach was cramping, I was fatigued, I was nauseated. I thought I had been "

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