Celiac Disease, also known as ‘Celiac Sprue’, is often inherited, but it can also occur in individuals who have,  had severe stress, physical trauma, been pregnant and/or a viral infection in susceptible individuals for reasons that aren't well understood.

Celiac Disease occurs when a protein called gluten, which is found in wheat, barley, rye, malt and oats, generates an immune reaction in the small intestine causing the body to attack itself.

When a sufferer ingests gluten it triggers a reaction in the immune system that causes the lining of the small intestine to become swollen and inflamed. As a result, tiny hair-like projection in the small intestine called the villi shrink and often flatten after continuous exposure to gluten.

When the villi shrinks or flattens, it causes the individual to lose the ability to digest and absorb nutrients from the food consumed. This malabsorption can deprive the brain, nervous system, bones, liver and other organs of nourishment and cause vitamin deficiencies that can lead to other illnesses such as lupus and/or intestinal cancer.

Individual's reactions to gluten vary from mild to severe symptoms that can even lead to death if not treated.

There is no cure for Celiac Disease, except to live a strict gluten-free lifestyle!

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