Celiac disease is a genetically determined auto-immune disease caused by gluten intolerance. By this, we mean that the presence of gluten in a Coeliac’s diet causes the body’s immune system to produce antibodies that attack its own tissues, in this case the lining of the small intestine.
Gluten is a protein found mainly in wheat, barley and rye. Although some people with celiac disease may also not be able to tolerate oats.
Villi – tiny finger-like projections that line the gut, become inflamed and then flattened to decrease surface area for absorption of nutrients from food. When the gut lining is damaged in this way, the body cannot absorb all nutrients it needs from food, which leads to a wide range of symptoms, and if left undiagnosed and/or untreated, can lead to serious complications like osteoporosis, and even cancer.
Symptoms are varied and can easily be confused with other disorders such as wheat intolerance or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
