What Is Celiac Disease? Celiac disease is a genetic disorder affecting children and adults. People with celiac disease are unable to eat foods that contain gluten, which is found in wheat and other grains. In people with celiac disease, gluten sets off an autoimmune reaction that causes the destruction of the villi in the small intestine. People with celiac disease produce antibodies that, in combination with immune cells, produce toxic chemicals called cytokines, which attack the intestine and cause damage and illness. Celiac disease is twice as common as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and cystic fibrosis combined. It affects one in 133 Americans.* A blood test is now available to screen for the presence of specific antibodies. A biopsy of the intestine (before beginning a gluten-free diet) is usually needed to make a final diagnosis. People with celiac disease are more likely to be afflicted with problems relating to malabsorption, including osteoporosis, tooth enamel defects, central and peripheral nervous system inflammation, pancreatic disease, organ disorders (gall bladder, liver, and spleen), and OB-GYN disorders. Untreated celiac disease has also been linked (in rare cases) to an increased risk of certain types of cancer, especially intestinal lymphoma. Currently, there are no drugs to treat celiac disease, and there is no cure. But people with celiac disease can lead normal, healthy lives by following a gluten-free diet. This means avoiding all products derived from wheat, rye, and barley. Celiac disease is not a food allergy; rather it is an autoimmune disease. Food allergies, including wheat allergy, are conditions that people can potentially grow out of. This is not the case with celiac disease, as people with celiac disease will have the disorder for the rest of their lives. Excerpted from Gluten Freedom: The Nation's Leading Expert Offers the Essential Guide to a Healthy, Gluten-Free Lifestyle by Alessio Fasano All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.