CELIAC DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH

Celiac disease is a lifelong inherited autoimmune condition affecting children and adults. When people with celiac disease eat foods that contain gluten, it creates an immune-mediated toxic reaction that causes damage to the small intestine and does not allow food to be properly absorbed. Even small amounts of gluten in foods can affect those with celiac disease and cause health problems. Damage can occur to the small bowel even when there are no symptoms present.

Gluten is the common name for the proteins in specific grains that are harmful to persons with celiac disease. These proteins are found in ALL forms of wheat(including durum, semolina, spelt, kamut, einform and faro) and related grains rye, barley and triticale and must be eliminated.


source: http://www.celiac.org/