WHAT IS CELIAC DISEASE?

Sometimes also referred to as Sprue, gluten-intolerance, and gluten-sensitive enteropathy, Celiac disease is a genetic, autoimmune disease in which the lining of the small intestine is damaged by eating gluten found in wheat, barley, rye, and other grains.  Oats may also contain gluten through cross-contamination.  The intestines contain hairlike projections, called villi, that absorb nutrients.  If misdiagnosed or left untreated, these villi become flattened, and the ability to absorb nutrients is diminished.  Once gluten is removed from the diet the small intestine will begin to heal itself.