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
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