Celiac disease - nutritional considerations
Alternate Names : Gluten-free diet, Gluten sensitive enteropathy - diet, Celiac sprue - diet
Definition
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder passed down through families. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, or sometimes oats (including medications). When a person with celiac disease eats or drinks anything containing gluten, the immune system responds by damaging the lining of the intestinal tract. This damage affects the body's ability to absorb nutrients. For specific information about the disease (including symptoms and treatment), see: Celiac disease. Carefully following a gluten-free diet helps prevent symptoms of the disease.
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