What is Coeliac disease?
Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disorder triggered by a cereal protein called gluten, which damages the small intestine, impairing the absorption of food. Gluten is found in the cereal grains wheat, barley, rye and oats*. The small intestine recovers and returns to normal when gluten is withdrawn from the diet. The incidence of coeliac disease in the UK is now believed to be around 1 in 100, although it is thought that at least 60% are undiagnosed. *Oats do not actually contain gluten but a very similar protein called avenalin. Many individuals with coeliac condition may be able to tolerate oats whilst other individuals may need to avoid them. The majority of oat products are contaminated with wheat, rye or barley and therefore making them unsuitable for a coeliac diet. However, pure oats guaranteed to contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten are tolerated by many Coeliacs.
Coeliac disease is a condition by which a protein called gluten, damages the small intestine, impairing the absorption of food. Gluten is found in the cereal grains wheat, barley, rye and oats*. The small intestine recovers and returns to normal when gluten is withdrawn from the diet. The incidence of coeliac disease in the UK is now believed to be between 1 in 100, although it is thought that at least 60% are undiagnosed. *Oats do not actually contain gluten but a very similar protein called avenalin. Many individuals with coeliac condition may be able to tolerate oats whilst other individuals may need to avoid them. The majority of oat products are contaminated with wheat, rye or barley and therefore making them unsuitable for a coeliac diet.
