Coeliac disease is a chronic autoimmune disease, which is precipitated by the ingestion of gluten containing foods like wheat, barley and rye, in genetically predisposed children and adults. Usually it occurs in infants as soon as cereals are introduced into their diet, at about 6 months of age, but also in adults who may live without symptoms for many years and become ill later in life. Even when these two factors coexist, coeliac disease may only occur when it is “triggered” in some cases by viral diseases or other causes.
The body after the consumption of this kind of food produces gluten antibodies resulting in the destruction of the inner intestine wall, the intestinal villi that are responsible for the absorption of nutrients, vitamins and minerals by the body are smoothed out or inactivated.