Have you ever eaten gluten? No, not glue — gluten! If you've
ever eaten a piece of bread, a slice of pizza, or a bowl of
cereal, chances are you have. Gluten (say: gloo-tin) is a
protein found in wheat, rye, and barley — grains that are in
many everyday foods. Most of us eat food with gluten with no
trouble. But for some people, eating gluten can cause a reaction
in their bodies. Someone who has this problem has celiac (say:
see-lee-ak) disease. After you eat food, it goes to your
stomach, which is part of a group of organs that make up your
digestive system. An important part of the digestive system is
the small intestine, which is lined with villi (say: vil-eye).
Villi are usually described as microscopic, finger-like
projections. Weird, huh? Fingers in your intestines! But don't
forget that they're microscopic, meaning they are extremely
small — so small you can't see them without a microscope. The
villi are important because they absorb nutrients into the body.
For someone with celiac disease, eating glut