What is Coeliacs Disease?

Coeliac disease (also spelled celiac disease) is a serious autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system reacts abnormally to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye.

Here’s what happens:

• When someone with coeliac disease eats gluten, their immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the small intestines.
• This damages the tiny finger-like projections called villi, which help absorb nutrients.
• Over time, this leads to poor absorption of nutrients and can cause a range of health problems.