About Coeliac Disease (CD)

Coeliac disease, sometimes called Coeliac Sprue, is a medical condition and is a permanent intestinal intolerance to dietary gluten. In Coeliac Disease the cells of the small bowel (intestine) are damaged. This causes a flattening of the tiny, finger like projections, called villi, which line the inside of the bowel. The function of the cells on normal villi is to breakdown and absorb nutrients in food. In Coeliac Disease, these villi become flat and inflamed and the surface area, which enables the absorption of nutrients and minerals from food, is seriously depleted. This may lead to deficiencies in vitamins, iron, folic acid and calcium, because of poor absorption. Sugars, proteins and fats are sometimes poorly absorbed as well.

Coeliacs are sensitive to gluten - the protein portion of wheat, rye, barley, triticale (wheat/rye hybrid grain) and possibly oats, which reacts with the small bowel lining, damaging it and causing loss of effective absorption surface area of the villi or finger like projections. Both genetic and environmental factors play important roles in Coeliac Disease.