Vara DuttThe Voices of Celiac Disease

“From severe weight loss, slowed growth, and frequent fractures to chronic abdominal pain and seborrheic dermatitis, my journey to a diagnosis was long and difficult.”

A half-body shot of Vara outside.

Hi, I’m Vara Dutt! Born in 2008, I faced many health challenges from a young age. From severe weight loss, slowed growth, and frequent fractures to chronic abdominal pain and seborrheic dermatitis, my journey to a diagnosis was long and difficult. At four years old, after a TTG-IGA test and endoscopy in New Delhi, I was diagnosed with celiac disease. This discovery marked a turning point, but it was only the beginning of my journey towards managing the condition.

Living Gluten-Free in Asia

Growing up in North India, where wheat is a staple food, made managing celiac disease particularly tough. However, with the help of my doctors, I adopted a gluten-free diet, which led to significant improvements in my health. Growing up as a kid with celiac disease was tough. It was hard to stick to a gluten-free diet when all my friends were enjoying pizza and cupcakes. However, over time, I learned to find the best gluten-free snacks and navigate food at social events without feeling left out. To those with celiac disease, it’s so important to educate others about your needs, stay positive, and remember that managing your health is worth it!

When I moved to Southeast Asia two years later after my diagnosis, the rice-based diet widely followed there made it easier to stick to gluten-free eating. Despite these changes, I still deal with challenges related to celiac disease, like nutrition problems, fractures, and skin issues.

Advocating for Our Community

My personal experience inspired me to start the Celiac Global Network at 15. Residing in Jakarta, I noticed a significant need for more awareness about celiac disease, especially when it came to diagnosing it correctly. I have always been a STEM enthusiast and passionate about the interconnection between healthcare and technology. Every time I hear about a new drug or line of treatment for celiac disease, I am intrigued by it. I’ve noticed that many people are curious about celiac disease research and potential solutions and I know how confusing it can be because there’s so much happening at once. As an ambassador for Beyond Celiac, I want to bridge that gap, raise more awareness, and deepen people’s understanding of the amazing initiatives, campaigns, and research being conducted by Beyond Celiac.

I’m excited to support the Beyond Celiac campaigns and help raise awareness about new therapies and advancements in treating celiac disease. By sharing my story and advocating for better understanding, I hope to make life easier for everyone affected by the condition.