Birthday cake. Pizza. Chocolate chip cookies. For people with
celiac disease, a lifelong disorder of the digestive system,
these foods aren't always the treats that most people think they
are. Why? Because they usually contain a type of protein called
gluten, which causes problems for people with celiac disease.
What Is Gluten? Gluten is the common term for a group of
proteins found in wheat, rye, barley, and grains derived from
them or having different names like triticale, durum, kamut,
semolina, and spelt. Grains are so common in our diet that
gluten is second only to sugar as our most commonly consumed
ingredient. What Is Celiac Disease? The digestive system is the
set of organs that digest food and absorb the important
nutrients the body needs to stay healthy and grow. One important
part of the digestive system is the small intestine, which is
lined with millions of microscopic, finger-like projections
called villi (pronounced: vih-lye). Nutrients are absorbed into
the body through the villi. People who