Dear Editor,
Celiac disease is a serious autoimmune disease. It is hereditary; people with first-degree relatives who have celiac disease are genetically predisposed to developing the disease. Celiac disease can manifest at any age after people start ingesting foods or medicines that contain gluten. People with celiac disease cannot eat gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. If they do, their body mounts an immune response. Their small intestine is attacked. Their villi, small projections that line the small intestine, get damaged and nutrients cannot be absorbed properly into the body.
There is no cure for celiac disease. It is controlled by a life-long gluten-free diet. People with celiac disease must be vigilant in what they eat. Cross-contamination can easily occur, so people with celiac disease must take special precautions to ensure their kitchens and places they eat at when away from home follow strict protocols that reduce cross-contamination. In fact, people with celiac disease must endeavour to eat foods that contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten.
If you are interested in reading more about celiac disease at a reliable source, go to the Canadian Celiac Association website at celiac.ca. This website is amazing!
Margaret Krikke
Barrhead
