<style justify> Celiac disease (gluten-sensitive enteropathy), which is also referred to as spruce or coeliac is a digestive and autoimmune disease that leads to the destruction of the lining of the small intestine when foods containing gluten are consumed.^[1] The immune system of individuals with celiac disease forms antibodies to gluten which attacks the intestinal lining causing inflammation and damage to the villi of the intestine.^[2] The damage done to the intestinal lining leads to the inability of the body to absorb nutrients including proteins, fats, carbohydrates vitamins and minerals which are vital for good human health.^[1] </style>

<style justify> Gluten is a protein that can be found in wheat, rye, triticale, barley. Gluten is the ingredient in wheat that assists in holding bread and other baked goods together and keeps them from crumbling.^[2] Oats that are made in plants that process other grain products can also be found to contain gluten. Lipsticks, medicines, and vitamins can also contain gluten.^[3] </style>

Some long-term health problems that can accompany celiac disease include^[1]:

• Osteoporosis- caused by the inability to absorb calcium and vitamin D
• Miscarriage or infertility
• Birth defects (e.g., growth problems)- caused by poor absorption of nutrients including folic acid
• Seizures
• Cancer of the intestine

Individuals with celiac disease may also be more prone to other autoimmune diseases including - Thyroid Disease, type 1 Diabetes, Lupus, Rheumatoid arthritis

It has been estimated that 1 in 133 people in Canada are affected by celiac disease.^[2] It is an inherited condition where people have a 1 in 22 chance of developing the disease if their parent or sibling has the condition.^[3] Not all individuals that carry the gene for celiac disease will develop the disease.^[4] Environmental factors including stress, pregnancy, surgery of an infection can sometimes lead to the onset of the disease.^[5] When treated early with a gluten free diet, the damaged tissues are about to heal and help decrease the risk of developing other long-term complications association with celiac disease.^[4]

[1] WebMD. (n.d.). Celiac Disease Causes, Symptoms, Treatments, Tests, & More. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/celiac-disease/celiac-disease#

[2] Celiac Disease Association. (n.d.). About Celiac Disease. Retrieved from http://www.celiac.ca/?page_id=882

[3] Lights, V., & Boskey, E. (2016, February 19). Celiac Disease (Gluten Intolerance). Retrieved from http://www.healthline.com/health/celiac-disease-sprue

[4] Health Canada. (2016, January 11). Celiac Disease. Retrieved from http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/securit/allerg/cel-coe/index-eng.php

[5] Celiac Disease Canada. (n.d.). Celiac Disease. Retrieved from http://www.diabetes.ca/diabetes-and-you/complications/celiac-disease