The Association of Celiacs of Catalonia, which brings together half a million people with celiac disease and sensitivity to gluten in the Catalan and Menorcan territory, has recently set up a delegation in the Baix Llobregat Nord, with Toni Corral from Martorell as head. The new delegation aims to disseminate, investigate and make celiac disease known in our region.
Celiac disease is a chronic, autoimmune disease that damages the small intestine and alters the absorption of vitamins, minerals and nutrients found in food. People who suffer from it cannot tolerate gluten, a protein found in cereals (wheat, oats, oats and rye). Some of its symptoms are fatigue, weight loss and nausea.
Toni Corral explains that “when you ingest gluten and have a genetic predisposition, the protein has an effect on the body at many levels, apart from the digestive system. The immune system responds as with other infections and bacteria, as the body attacks the villi in the gut. Gluten damages the walls of the intestine and the food consumed has many consequences on a person’s health.”
Toni Corral, responsable delegació Baix Nord Associació Celíacs Catalunya
Corral decided to create the organization at the beginning of the year when “I attended the gathering of the Association of Celiacs of Catalonia, on ‘Mediterranean Free Gluten Forum’. I saw the association’s stand with some volunteers and asked them what should be done to collaborate. As I had the time, desire and strength for the cause, I threw myself into the pool.”
Toni Corral, responsable delegació Baix Nord Associació Celíacs Catalunya
At the moment, the organization does not have physical headquarters and they do not have planned activities either, “but we are preparing a talk at the Library and in the public spaces of the town. And we also want to contact schools that are interested in spreading the word about the association.”
“We also interact with the newly diagnosed, whether or not they are members of the association, accompanying them at this time. The more members we have, the more strength we will get to make our demands towards the public administrations and the organization’s aid”, underlines Corral.
Toni Corral, responsable delegació Baix Nord Associació Celíacs Catalunya
Currently, three out of four people have not yet received a diagnosis for the disease. Celiac disease “is like many others, but since the treatment is not with medicine, people tend to trivialize it. We must give it the specific weight it deserves and make celiacs feel like normal people. It’s not about personal food preferences, but about the treatment of a disease we suffer from,” says Corral.
Toni Corral, responsable delegació Baix Nord Associació Celíacs Catalunya
Those interested in joining the organization can write an email to baixllobregatnord@celiacscatalunya.org or visit the page website of the Association of Celiacs of Cataloniawhere they will find more information about the disease.
Interview with Toni Corral, Celiac Association delegate of Catalonia, (Ràdio Martorell 91.2 FM)
Source: martorelldigital.cat
