Summary
The article discusses how British Ironman champion Lucy Charles-Barclay discovered she has coeliac disease, a condition where eating gluten harms the body. Before her diagnosis, she unknowingly consumed gluten, which led to multiple injuries and health issues. Now aware of her condition, Charles-Barclay has adjusted her diet to continue competing.
Key Facts
- Lucy Charles-Barclay is a four-time world champion in Ironman and triathlon events.
- She was diagnosed with coeliac disease in 2024, which means consuming gluten damages her body.
- Before her diagnosis, she had stress fractures, joint pain, and low energy without a known cause.
- The symptoms occurred because her body's immune system attacked her intestines when she ate gluten.
- Charles-Barclay had been eating gluten-rich foods like pasta and pizza to prepare for races.
- After changing her diet to avoid gluten, she won her second world Ironman 70.3 title.
- Coeliac disease makes it harder for the body to absorb nutrients, contributing to her injuries.
- Gluten-free diets can be more expensive, with reports indicating a 35% higher cost for groceries.
