It is Celiac Awareness Month, and our 50th Year bringing awareness to Celiac disease and other gluten intolerances. 💚 💚 💚
When GIG was founded back in 1974, Celiac disease was considered a rare disease, thought to affect about 1 in 1000 people, mostly of European descent. Awareness of the gluten-free diet was very low and gluten-free products were virtually non-existent. Our Founder, Elaine Hartsook, Ph.D., RD, (RIP), wrote the first gluten-free diet at the time.
Today, Celiac disease is considered one of the most common autoimmune disorders, affecting people of all races and ethnicities around the globe. In the past 20 years, we've seen both true prevalence, as well as detection and diagnosis, greatly increase. How times have changed! Knowledge among the medical community has increased. Education on the gluten-free diet is abundant. Social support is available - we ourselves have groups meeting across the country. Safe gluten-free food is now widely available - shout out to Gluten-Free Certification Organization brand partners and Gluten-Free Food Service dining establishments!! 🙌
There is still so much more to do! The movement to spread awareness and make change happen came from people just like you! Let's work together to move the needle further this month! Follow along as we shine a light on Celiac disease. 🕯️ 💡 🔦 ✨
#CeliacAwarenessMonth #50YearsGIG