Coeliac Disease & Gluten Intolerance Coeliac disease is caused
by gluten intolerance. It affects a number of children and
adults where populations have relied for centuries on foods
containing gluten. Many persons remain unaware of its presence
and continue to suffering its various symptoms when they can be
avoided. Other non Coeliac person remain to suffer
unnecessarily. Coeliac (celiac) disease is a life-long
inflammatory disease of the upper small intestine caused by
intolerance to the gluten affecting many genetically susceptible
individuals worldwide. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, and
other similar proteins found in rye, barley and oats. These
proteins damage the small finger-like projections (villi) that
line the small intestine (see Figure 1), resembling a pile in a
carpet, and play a significant role in digestion. When damaged
and inflamed, the villi are unable to absorb water and nutrients
such as vitamins, folic acid, iron and calcium. This causes the
coeliac to be susceptible to a variety of