What is Coeliacs Disease?
With Coeliacs Disease, the cells of the small bowel (intestine) are damaged. This causes the loss of the tiny, finger like projections, called villi, which line the inside of the normal bowel. The cells on normal villi are specialised so that they can break down and absorb nutrients in food. In Coeliac Disease these special cells are damaged and reduced in number. This leads to deficiencies in vitamins, iron, folic acid and calcium – due to the poor absorption of nutrients. Sugars, proteins & fats are often poorly absorbed as well.
