Celiac Disease (CD) is a lifelong, digestive disorder affecting children and adults. When people with CD eat foods that contain gluten, it creates an immune-mediated toxic reaction that causes damage to the small intestine and does not allow food to be properly absorbed. Even small amounts of gluten in foods can affect those with CD and cause health problems. Damage can occur to the small bowel even when there are no symptoms present.

Gluten is the common name for the proteins in specific grains that are harmful to a person with celiac disease. These proteins are found in ALL forms of wheat (including durum, semolina, spelt, kamut, einkorn and faro) and related grains rye, barley and triticale and MUST be eliminated.

When individuals with CD ingest gluten, the villi, tiny hair-like projections in the small intestine that absorb nutrients from food, are damaged.  This is due to an immunological reaction to gluten.  Damaged villi do not effectively absorb basic nutrients, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and, in some cases, water and bile salts.  If CD is left untreated, damage to the small bowel can be chronic and life threatening, causing an increased risk of associated disorders -- both nutritional and immune related.

Some long-term conditions that can result from untreated CD:

1. •Iron deficiency anemia
   

2. •Early onset osteoporosis or osteopenia
   

3. •Vitamin K deficiency associated with risk for hemorrhaging
   

4. •Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
   

5. •Central and peripheral nervous system disorders - usually due to unsuspected nutrient deficiencies
   

6. •Pancreatic insufficiency
   

7. •Intestinal lymphomas and other GI cancers (malignancies)
   

8. •Neurological manifestations
   

9. •Gall bladder malfunction
   

Other associated autoimmune disorders:

1. •Dermatitis Herpetiformis (DH)
   

2. •Insulin-dependent Type I Diabetes
   

3. •Thyroid Disease
   

4. •Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
   

5. •Liver Diseases
   

Normal Villi pictured below

Damaged Villi pictured below

Pictures courtesy of The Coeliac Society

Some information for the site was provided by the Celiac Disease Foundation & The University Of Chicago Celiac disease center. The information on this site is believed to be true and accurate. The owner of the site and the hosting company are not responsible for any errors within the site.  Before starting any diet or lifestyle change you should check with your physician first. This site tries to offer a simple and clutter free site for informative purposes only and any diagnosis should be made by a qualified physician.