Gluten Free Diet for Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that affects the small intestine. The small intestine in our body is lined with very minute projections known as villi. If viewed under a microscope, these projections would resemble the thick layer of a carpet. The function of these villi is mainly to absorb minerals, vitamins and various other nutrients that are present in the food that we eat. When an individual has celiac disease these villi get damaged, and the inner lining of the intestines becomes less like a thick carpet but more like a bare tiled floor. In the absence of villi the body is incapable of absorbing all the important nutrients required for growth and health. Instead, the nutrients are lost in the stool. Individuals with this condition have intolerance to gluten which is a protein that is found in certain types of food.

Our immune system has been designed to provide us with protection from any type of foreign organisms. When individuals suffering from celiac disease eat any food that contains gluten, their immune system reacts by producing antibodies towards this gluten. These antibodies then attack the inner lining of the intestine, leading to a destruction of the villi and damage to the intestine. Thus with the villi destroyed, the body is unable to absorb the required nutrients. Hence the individual will end up malnourished irrespective of the amount they eat.

Individuals suffering from this condition need to have a gluten free diet. In other words it indicates omitting foods that contain barley, rye or wheat from your daily diet. In fact an individual with this condition should avoid most grain, cereal, pasta and several processed foods, cakes, desserts and alcoholic beverages (excluding wine). Always pay heed to what you eat, read the ingredients of packaged food before you purchase them; if you are at a restaurant then ask about the ingredients of a particular dish. However this does not mean that one cannot enjoy the benefits of a well balanced diet. For example, pasta and bread that is made from another type of flour (potato or soy) can be consumed. Plenty of unprocessed fresh foods are available, such as vegetables, fruits, fish and meats. These do not contain gluten and are safe to eat. Consulting a dietician would be the most prudent thing to do, as they could help chart out a comprehensive gluten free diet for you.