Jennifer Esposito Reveals Years of Health Struggles Before Severe Celiac Disease Diagnosis

Jennifer Esposito has opened up about a yearslong health battle that she says disrupted her acting career, caused severe depression and ultimately led to a psychiatric hospitalization before she was diagnosed with celiac disease.

Speaking on Maria Menounos’ “Heal Squad” podcast, the 53-year-old actress said her health problems began when she was a young actor in New York City. She experienced debilitating physical and mental symptoms, including panic attacks, depression and suicidal thoughts, while doctors struggled to find an explanation.

Her condition worsened while she was working on the ABC comedy “Samantha Who?” Esposito said she lost hair and fingernails and even lost a tooth during filming. Doctors considered several possible diagnoses, including multiple sclerosis and irritable bowel syndrome.

Eventually, Esposito said she learned that she had severe celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder in which gluten damages the small intestine and can prevent the body from absorbing essential nutrients. She recalled a doctor telling her, “I’m not sure how you’re alive,” and said her liver was failing.

After eliminating gluten, Esposito faced a difficult recovery. She said she suffered from severe vitamin D deficiency, extreme sensitivity to light and intense trembling. At one point, she was taken to a psychiatric ward after telling a doctor she was “jumping out of my skin” and feared she might jump out a window.

Esposito said the experience motivated her to take greater control of her health and focus on recovery. She now lives outside the United States and says she no longer experiences panic attacks.

Looking back, Esposito said the diagnosis changed her life for the better. “Celiac disease saved my life. One hundred percent,” she said, adding that the illness forced her to slow down and reconsider how she lived.