By: Brionna Sandridge
October 1, 2015
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder of the digestive system. It has to do with the digestion of food containing gluten (WebMD). Gluten is a protein that is found in grains such as wheat, rye, and barley. Therefore, it is in common foods such as bread, cereal, pasta, and even some sauces and beer. Gluten makes these foods stick together; it gives them substance and helps them to maintain their shape (Celiac Disease Foundation). Those with Celiac disease have immune systems that create antibodies to attack this gluten protein. As a result, the intestines are inflamed and the villi that line the intestines are damaged. Villi are very important to absorption of nutrients in the digestive tract. This includes fats, …show more content…
Around the world, it is rarely, if ever, seen in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and South America; but the numbers of diagnoses in these regions are steadily increasing (Gujral). It is a hereditary disease, and somewhere between 5% and 22% of patients have an immediate family member that had also been diagnosed with Celiac disease (NFCA). It can affect both men and women of all ages and races. However, it does seem to be more prevalent among Caucasian individuals. Many cases of Celiac disease are still undiagnosed. However, studies suggest that the prevalence of Celiac Disease has increased in the United States over the past several decades, and that it will continue to increase in the coming years. By 2019, it is projected that the Celiac disease diagnosis rate will reach 50-60% (NFCA). There is little data about the incidence of Celiac Disease, but studies suggest that the incidence rate has increased over time as well (Ludvigsson). The sales of gluten-free foods, products, and ingredients have nearly double from $2.6 billion in 2010 to over $5 billion in 2015