Celiac Disease:
Celiac Disease is a relatively common autoimmune disorder affecting roughly 1% of the population. People with Celiac Disease are unable to tolerate certain proteins present in various grains, such as Gliadin found in Wheat; Hordein found in Barley & Secalin found in Rye (Oats are also a hot topic among the Celiac community, not necessarily because they contain any harmful proteins, but because of cross-contamination issues). These proteins, which we will call Gluten (this term is widely accepted although not technically correct), begin to attack the digestive system, more specifically the small intestine. The small intestine is made up of billions of hairlike protrusions called Villi. Over time, the Villi of people with Celiac Disease become blunted which leads to malnutrition.
Villi are there to act as a nutrient absorbing device; however, when anyone (with or without Celiac Disease) allows gluten into their body, a protein called Zonulinis is produced, with somewhat catastrophic effects. Basically, Zonulin allows the junctions between the cells in the small intestine to open too much, thus, various toxins and gluten fragments enter the bloodstream - and this is where the real trouble begins for Celiac's. The gluten fragments that have now entered into the blood stream are there unlawfully, in other words, they have invaded your body and your body must defend itself by attacking these toxins, and in turn, attacking your body. Hence the name "autoimmune disorder".
Celiac Disease is a relatively common autoimmune disorder affecting roughly 1% of the population. People with Celiac Disease are unable to tolerate certain proteins present in various grains, such as Gliadin found in Wheat; Hordein found in Barley & Secalin found in Rye (Oats are also a hot topic among the Celiac community, not necessarily because they contain any harmful proteins, but because of cross-contamination issues). These proteins, which we will call Gluten (this term is widely accepted although not technically correct), begin to attack the digestive system, more specifically the small intestine. The small intestine is made up of billions of hairlike protrusions called Villi. Over time, the Villi of people with Celiac Disease become blunted which leads to malnutrition.
Villi are there to act as a nutrient absorbing device; however, when anyone (with or without Celiac Disease) allows gluten into their body, a protein called Zonulinis is produced, with somewhat catastrophic effects. Basically, Zonulin allows the junctions between the cells in the small intestine to open too much, thus, various toxins and gluten fragments enter the bloodstream - and this is where the real trouble begins for Celiac's. The gluten fragments that have now entered into the blood stream are there unlawfully, in other words, they have invaded your body and your body must defend itself by attacking these toxins, and in turn, attacking your body. Hence the name "autoimmune disorder".
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Common Symptoms:
Gastrointestinal:
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Common Symptoms:
Non-Gastrointestinal:
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