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What is Celiac Disease?

Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disease that causes gluten, the protein in wheat, rye and barley, to damage the lining of the small intestine. This damage can result in symptoms ranging from gastrointestinal distress to indications of malnutrition such as weight loss, fatigue, anemia and osteoporosis. In some cases, few symptoms appear, though the internal damage still occurs—this is often called “silent celiac”. CD has also been linked to reproductive malfunction for both women and men. A completely gluten-free diet usually results in a healed intestine and reversal of all symptoms. The message is clear: CD is a treatable disease that requires consumers to pay close attention to diet, and producers to maintain high manufacturing standards and clearly label their products.

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