Elisabeth Hasselbeck: 'I've Never Felt More Healthy'

The View co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck struggled with fatigue, weight fluctuations and conceiving her children. But doctors couldn't pinpoint the problem.

Eventually, she was diagnosed with an often-misunderstood autoimmune disorder, celiac disease, a reaction to gluten. "Since being diagnosed I have to say I've never felt more healthy," she says.

It's important to distinguish the autoimmune disorder celiac disease from gluten intolerance, which is closer to a food allergy. CD can result in damage to the intestinal walls, poor absorption of nutrients and even cancer.

Watch the video to find out how she's coping in the kitchen and transforming gluten-free food with a new cookbook.

Comments

[MRstoner2udude]

10:07 AM on 12/19/2011

Because of Increased Permeablity I am very gluten sensitive. For a long time I was treated for depression, anxiety etc. I read about gluten and grains. Now grain-free and MUCH better. No depr'n, no anxiety, no prescriptions.

[The Kamala Farang]

03:26 AM on 12/17/2011

Ohhhhhhhh, so that was it! I thought it was the koolaid.

[Tina KN]

01:37 PM on 12/15/2011

Although Ms. Hasselbeck and I are on polar opposites of the polical spectrum, and although I find her TV persona to be incredibly annoying, I did find a host of useful information in her book "The G-Free Diet". My husband had been struggling for some time with serious intestinal issues - the information in her book not only explained the differences between gluten-intolerance and celiac, but also stressed why it is important to have testing done (including biopsy). Also, her information on foods that contain hidden gluten was very enlightening - at the time in our lives when we were still learning about which foods were safe and which were not, that information was particularly useful. While Ms. Hasselbeck and I might never have a civilised and agreeable conversation about politics and society over a cup of coffee and gluten-free pastries, I won't discount her expertise through experience. And I certainly won't turn down an opportunity to see what recipes she has for gluten-free foods.

[collectsrocks]

11:15 AM on 12/14/2011

A friend of mine had similiar symptoms to Hasselbeck's. Not until she collapsed one day having hallucinations and ending up in a psych ward was she diagnosed with ciliac disease. She was also found to be highly malnourished and diabetic. She was treated at the hospital and is now gluten free and her health has since greatly improved.

[MRstoner2udude]

10:08 AM on 12/19/2011

It's interesting how gluten/grains can damage the bodies ability to digest/breakdown/absorb nutrition, making us very sick. I'm glad you're friend is better.

[lilacluvr]

10:17 AM on 12/14/2011

My son was diagnosed with celiac disease and it took doctors 3 months to finally come to that conclusion. During that time, my son lost 50 lbs and was very malnourished (his ribs were beginning to show). So, if Ms. Hasselbeck was lucky to only have fatigue, weight fluctuations and trouble conceiving children (which, btw, didn't she have 3 or 4 kids?). While this makes for a good story and possibly to sell yet another book, celiac disease should not become the newest 'fad' disease - this is serious business. But, I am biased when it comes to Ms. Hasselbeck, I question everything this woman says.

[LynnFritz]

10:10 AM on 12/15/2011

I agree. I think she never even had the biopsy which is the only way to confirm diagnosis, and it does run in families.

[Paleo Man]

11:18 AM on 12/15/2011

Waiting for a biopsy to be positive is a good way to get so deep into celiac disease that a serious autoimmune disease gets added to the mix. It is the medical equivalent of waiting for a myocardial infarction before becoming concerned about atherosclerosis and unstable plaque in arteries.

[Debbie Restiano]

10:02 AM on 12/14/2011

Oh please- u make it seem like " Oh God!" what do I have. It's no big deal. My husband has been gluten free due to the same disease for 25 years. Years ago there were no gluten free products you could buy and I was able to cook him a full course dinner every night. Now there are so many products on the market including pasta that taste better than regular. My kids can't even tell the difference. You are at an advantage. You are just trying to sell your book and make people think that before your book we had no options or recipes. You are not the first and you won't be the last with this disease so please be go away-

[Mark2100]

09:27 AM on 12/14/2011

How can her doctors be sure? Watching fox news as much as she does brings on the same symptoms.

[CePe]

10:44 AM on 12/14/2011

F & F, Mark!

[marye03]

12:59 PM on 12/14/2011

F/F x 2

[goodnana]

06:36 PM on 12/15/2011

Have to go for F/F x 3