Storyteller: Alice Bast
I was diagnosed with celiac disease several years ago after two miscarriages and a stillborn child (named Emily). Coupled with those devastating events, I lived daily with the frustration of migraines, reproductive problems, constant diarrhea, joint pain, fatigue, neuropathy, hair loss and other symptoms. I traveled from doctor to doctor to find out why every day was so difficult for me. Finally, one of my friends who is a veterinarian mentioned that sometimes sick animals get better if they don’t consume wheat. She told me that these animals can’t tolerate gluten. So, I finally found a doctor (number 23) who I convinced to test me for celiac disease, and “Viola”, I was officially diagnosed. At that point, I immediately stopped eating any type of food that contained gluten, and within a week, I had a renewed sense of energy and my symptoms were disappearing day by day. Alice Bast, Founder and President of National Foundation For Celiac Awareness www.CeliacCentral.org.
Night Out With Meaning was held on March 6, 2014 and featured Alice Bast. Alice founded the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) in 2003. Her personal experience with celiac disease ignited her passion to help the estimated three million Americans suffering from the disease receive a prompt and accurate diagnosis.
Alice is widely regarded as a celiac expert and has been a keynote speaker at major medical and food industry events nationally and internationally, including the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Annual Meeting, Healthy Foods Conference, International Pizza Expo, The Flavor Experience, Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Wellness Conference, and both Natural Products Expo East and West shows. She also chaired a panel presentation at the 14th International Coeliac Disease Symposium held in Oslo, Norway, and addressed an assembly of doctors at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in April 2012.
Her organization, NFCA, drives diagnoses of celiac disease and other gluten-related disorders, improves quality-of-life for those on a lifelong gluten-free diet, and facilitates collaborations within the healthcare community. NFCA is a leading resource for information on celiac disease and the gluten-free lifestyle and offers free information and support materials for patients and their families. The organization also runs GREAT Kitchens, a gluten-free training program for foodservice professionals, and CeliacCMECentral.com, a free continuing medical education program for primary care providers. To learn more visit: www.CeliacCentral.org.