A healthy gut
In a healthy digestive system, food that has been broken down in the stomach and duodenum passes into the small intestine, where tiny finger-like folds called villi absorb the essential nutrients.
The celiac gut
When a person with celiac disease eats food containing gluten, the intestine responds as if it were a foreign body. The immune reaction inflames and damages the villi, shortening, blunting and flattening them so they can no longer absorb nutrients properly.
This is called villous atrophy. Depending on its severity it may be classified as partial, sub-total or total villous atrophy.
Why it matters
Untreated celiac disease can cause weight loss and wasting. Together with malabsorption and malnutrition, this leads to variable, complex and serious effects as the disease progresses.
Celiac disease can therefore be described as a malabsorption syndrome.
This information is for awareness and education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a qualified doctor before making changes to your diet or treatment.
Think you might have celiac disease?
Don’t stop eating gluten before you’re tested — it can hide the result.