Health Conditions

What is it?

Celiac disease is a chronic condition where the body reacts to a protein called gluten and loses its ability to absorb necessary nutrients. Gluten is most commonly found in wheat, barley, rye, and oats, but can also found in small amounts in less thought-of places, like stamp and envelope adhesive, medicines, and vitamins. Celiac disease is considered an immune disorder because with consumption of gluten, the immune system actually attacks the body's own cells in the small intestine.

The small intestines are responsible for proper absorption of nutrients needed for energy and building of body tissues. Tiny projections, called villa, line the small intestines to allow greater absorption of food and nutrients. A protein called gluten seems to trigger the immunological reaction of celiac disease. When a person with celiac disease eats a gluten-containing product, a reaction occurs and the body attacks the villa, leaving small lesions. Upon damage to the villa, the small intestine is then unable to absorb nutrients properly leading to symptoms of malnourishment, which if left untreated can be serious and life-threatening.

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