Beware of Dietary Supplements: A Warning for Celiac Disease Patients

Celiac Disease Foundation defines celiac disease as a serious autoimmune disorder that may be experienced by genetically predisposed individuals. This occurs when an affected individual eats gluten, known as a protein found in wheat, triticale, barley, and rye. The person’s body is triggered to attack his or her small intestine. Thus, the attack may damage the villi, which are small finger-like projections of tissue that cause the small intestine to have a bigger space. Since there is a bigger space in the small intestine, then the absorption of nutrients is more efficient. If these villi are damaged, then the patient’s body will not be able to absorb many nutrients. This disease is believed to affect 1 in 100 people around the world.