COELIAC DISEASE Available to Purchase

Coeliac disease is a condition in which the lining of the small intestine is damaged by gluten, a protein found in wheat and rye. Coeliacs are also affected by similar proteins present in barley and possibly oats. The damage which occurs considerably impairs the ability of the small intestine to perform its normal function of absorbing nutrients from digested foods. This means that wasting can occur, leading to severe illness resembling malnutrition. The word ‘coeliac’ is derived from the Greek koiliakos, which means ‘suffering in the bowels’.