areawoman profiles
Writer: Carla Trittin Isom
Photographer: Mike Smith Photography
Sydney’s Path to Health
ydney Engel was missing music and gym last May—two classes she loves, but she loves Sydney’s Health Market just as much, and not because it’s her namesake. “I want to be sure everyone who needs to knows about this does,” Sydney said. “This” is what Sydney’s Health Market would remedy for Sydney—Celiac disease. From the time she was a baby, Sydney experienced symptoms that, after doctoring for 14 66
AreaWoman.com
There’s More Than Granola at the Health Food Market
months, ended in a diagnosis of “lactose intolerant.” But after Stephanie Engel, Sydney’s mother, did not see improvement, they switched physicians, had a blood panel completed, did a biopsy of her small intestines, and the day after Sydney’s second birthday they re-diagnosed her with Celiac Disease. According to the Mayo Clinic1, Celiac disease is a digestive condition triggered by consumption of the protein gluten, which is found in bread, pasta, cookies, pizza crust and many other foods containing wheat, barley or rye. If you have celiac disease and eat foods containing gluten, an immune