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Celiac disease is a serious autoimmune disorder that can occur in genetically predisposed individuals, where gluten consumption leads to damage of the small intestine. It is estimated that 1 in 100 people worldwide are affected by this disease. Two and a half million Americans are not diagnosed and are exposed to long-term health risks.
When people with celiac disease eat gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley), their body has an immune response that attacks the small intestine. These attacks lead to damage to the villi, small elongated formations in the intestinal lumen that help absorb nutrients. When the villi become damaged, nutrients cannot be properly absorbed into the body.
Celiac disease is hereditary, which means it runs in families. People with a first-degree relative with celiac disease (parent, child, brother/sister) have a 1 in 10 risk of developing celiac disease.
If you want to find out some facts about celiac disease, check out our article on this topic: 20 facts about celiac disease.
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