How does gluten affect people with celiac disease?

For most people, gluten is not a problem, but for those with celiac disease, this protein is enemy number one.

The prevalence of celiac disease in the overall general population is thought to be between 1% and 3%. It is difficult to pinpoint as the disease is often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. However, the prevalence may vary according to the geographic region and the population studied. In this section, we will focus on how gluten affects people with celiac disease.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition in which a person's immune system attacks the mucosa of the small intestine when exposed to gluten. This results in inflammation and damage to the villi of the intestine.

Gluten is found in many foods, from bread to soy sauce, and it is important for people with celiac disease to stay away from it.

Gliadin is a gluten protein found in wheat, barley, rye, and their varieties and hybrids such as semolina, spelt, triticale, spelt, kamut.

Gluten can affect people with celiac disease in different ways. In some cases, they may experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. They may also experience non-gastrointestinal symptoms, such as joint pain, fatigue, depression and anxiety.

Gluten can also have a negative effect on nutrient absorption in people with celiac disease. When the mucosa of the small intestine is damaged, the intestinal villi, which are responsible for nutrient absorption, are reduced. As a result, people with celiac disease may experience nutritional deficiencies, especially in iron, calcium and vitamin D.

In addition to the negative effects on the digestive system and nutrient absorption, exposure to gluten can also increase the risk of long-term complications in people with celiac disease. These complications can include osteoporosis, anemia, peripheral neuropathy, autoimmune diseases and, in rare cases, cancer of the small intestine.

It is important to note that gluten is not the direct cause of celiac disease, but rather a trigger of the autoimmune response that damages the small intestine. Therefore, the only way to treat celiac disease so far is to completely avoid gluten in the diet.