Dr. Roshini Raj, the author of “Gut Renovation” discusses celiac disease, an autoimmune disease in which gluten acts as a toxin in the body. About 1% of people in the United States have celiac disease. Raj appeared on the TODAY show on National Celiac Awareness Day.
Beyond Celiac, a patient advocacy group and organization that encourages research about the disease and a possible cure, said the national awareness day each year on Sept. 13 honors Dr. Samuel Gee, “who identified a link between celiac disease and diet.” D
Having type 1 diabetes or thyroid disease increases the risk of developing the chronic condition, Dr. Raj said. The video explains how to differentiate between gluten intolerance, which might cause intestinal discomfort, and celiac disease, which causes damage to the small intestine.
