Celiac disease, also known as gluten intolerance, is a genetic disorder that affects at least 1 in 133  Americans. Symptoms of celiac disease can range from the classic features, such as diarrhea, weight loss, and malnutrition, to latent  symptoms such as isolated nutrient deficiencies but no gastrointestinal symptoms. The disease mostly affects people of European (especially Northern European) descent, but recent studies show that it also affects Hispanic, Black and Asian populations as well. Those affected suffer damage to the villi (shortening and villous flattening) in the lamina propria and crypt regions of their intestines when they eat specific food-grain antigens (toxic amino acid sequences) that are found in wheat, rye, and barley. Oats  have traditionally been considered to be toxic to celiacs, but recent scientific studies have shown otherwise. This research is ongoing, however, and it may be too early to draw solid conclusions.

Because of the broad range of symptoms celiac disease presents, it can be difficult to diagnose. The symptoms can range from mild weakness, bone pain, and aphthous stomatitis to chronic diarrhea, abdominal bloating, and progressive weight loss. If a person with the disorder continues to eat gluten, studies have shown that he or she will increase their chances of gastrointestinal cancer by a factor of 40 to 100 times that of the normal population. Further, gastrointestinal carcinoma or lymphoma  develops in up to 15 percent of patients with untreated or refractory celiac disease. It is therefore imperative that the disease is quickly and properly diagnosed so it can be treated as soon as possible.
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Cereal Killers: Celiac Disease and Gluten-Free A to Z by Dr. Ron Hoggan, Ed. D. and Scott Adams is the most diverse discussion of gluten sensitivity and celiac disease currently available in a single volume. Cereal Killers explores a wide range of sometimes contradictory perspectives on the various disease processes incited by gluten. These include the many illnesses and increased disease susceptibility to which gluten contributes, as well as ailments associated with gluten-induced illnesses. We also offer some speculations and hypotheses regarding the means by which gluten wreaks havoc on genetically vulnerable individuals, and important reasons why those affected should remain on a 100% gluten-free diet. » Read More

If you haven't visited our celiac disease forum / message board in a while you should check our the new features and its new, sleek look. There are too many new features to list here, but our many members seem to love the new board. If you don't have an account yet you can create one here and join our gluten-free community! With more than 32,000 members and 559,000 posts, you definitely won't get lonely!
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Listen to Celiac.com updates. In this program we plan to cover a range of topics on gluten intolerance, such as recent news and developments, popular stories on our website, product reviews, and even catch up with the latest discussions on our Gluten-Free Forums. Episode 30 of Celiac.com Podcast Edition is now available. To listen just click the icon:

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Subscribe to Journal of Gluten Sensitivity for even more in-depth information on Celiac Disease and the Gluten-Free Diet. Edited by Dr. Ron Hoggan, author of Dangerous Grains, and co-edited by Scott Adams, founder of Celiac.com, Journal of Gluten Sensitivity is Celiac.com's quarterly celiac disease newsletter that is available on-line and in print.
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