According to Wikipedia, "coeliac disease is caused by a reaction to gliadin, a gluten protein found in wheat (and similar proteins of the tribe Triticeae, which includes other cultivars such as barley and rye). Upon exposure to gliadin, the enzyme tissue transglutaminase modifies the protein, and the immune system cross-reacts with the bowel tissue, causing an inflammatory reaction. That leads to flattening of the lining of the small intestine, which interferes with the absorption of nutrients."

In layman's terms, the person's intestines can no longer work as an internal sponge to absorb all the good nutrients in food and instead expel all food and nutrients, leading to malnutrition. Gluten, a protein most people can process perfectly well, is like poison to celiac patients, causing a wide array of symptoms throughout the body, but especially in the intestines.

There is no cure for celiac disease. The only treatment is to never consume gluten, which is present in about 85% of all processed foods. Patients with celiac cannot eat any foods containing wheat, barley, rye, most oats, malt, spelt, semolina, durum, triticale, or any other grains. They can, however, eat corn, potatoes, soy, and rice, among others.

SYMPTOMS