Celiac disease is an auto-immune
disease, often hereditary, that causes a chronic reaction to gluten in the
small intestine which interferes with the absorption of food and then triggers
other seemingly unrelated health conditions. Antibodies eventually attach and
destroy the small intestine. Currently, the only known cure is to follow a
gluten-free diet.
What is gluten?
"Gluten" is the general term for a mixture of many protein fragments (called
peptide chains or polypeptides) found in common cereal grains. Wheat is the
only grain considered to contain true gluten. Other sources of gluten include
rye, barley and oats.
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Facts about Celiac Disease
Celiac disease affects approximately one in one hundred thirty three Americans
– most of whom are misdiagnosed due to atypical symptoms.
Celiac disease is twice as common as Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis and cystic
fibrosis combined.
Celiac – left untreated – could lead to infertility, osteoporosis, lymphoma,
depression & neurological disorders. Celiac disease is more common in
individuals with type 1 diabetes, thyroid disease or anemia |