Celiac Disease: Gluten-Free Diet
Author: Betty Kovacs, MS, RD
Medical Editor: Dennis Lee, MD
Digestion Q&A by Dr. Lee on Gluten Free Diets
Medical Author Dr. Dennis Lee
Viewer Question: Do you know if oat bran contains gluten? And is it OK to eat if I have celiac sprue?
Dietician's Response: A Gluten is the protein fraction of wheat, rye, and barley. Gluten
contains several different types of protein, each with a different
arrangement of amino acids. (Proteins are chains of amino acids
hooked together.) It is believed that several of these proteins are
responsible for the inflammation that causes celiac disease (also known as sprue or
gluten-sensitive enteropathy).
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How does digestion work?
When it comes to digesting food, the human body is like a well oiled machine.
Through a complex process food is broken up, the necessary nutrients are
absorbed, and the waste products are excreted. A disruption in any part of this
process can lead to deficiencies, diseases, or even death.
From the moment that food enters the mouth digestion begins. Food is broken
up in the mouth, and moistened with saliva that also contains digestive enzymes.
The food will go through the esophagus to the stomach where it is stored and
mixed. It then passes into the small intestine where majority of the nutrient
absorption takes place. The small intestine is a long, narrow tube that extends
from the stomach to the large intestines. The liver, gallbladder, and pancreas
all aid in the digestion and absorption of nutrients. After the nutrients have
been absorbed, the remaining un-absorbed food passes through to the large
intestine, also known as the colon. The primary function of the large intestine
is to store waste products.
Disorders and diseases can occur throughout the digestive tract. Some of the
common digestive diseases are:
What is celiac disease?
Celiac disease is also known as celiac sprue, nontropical sprue, and
gluten-sensitive enteropathy. The exact cause of celiac disease is not clear,
however, the outcome is well established. This disease effects the small
intestine and its ability to absorb nutrients, resulting in deficiencies and
health complications. For more, please read the
Celiac Disease article.
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. When you have celiac
disease your body reacts to gluten as if it were toxic. This reaction occurs in
the small intestine and ends up damaging the mucosal surface (the inner lining
of the small intestine). When the mucosal surface is damaged the small intestine
is not able to absorb nutrients properly. These nutrients include
vitamins,
calcium, carbohydrates, protein, and fats.
Next: What are the symptoms of celiac disease? »
- Muscle Cramps - Get information on muscle cramps causes (vitamin deficiency, drugs, lactic acid, dehydration, low calcium, potassium or magnesium), treatment and prevention.
- Constipation - Read details about constipation and the different treatments available for constipation including laxatives, dietary fiber, enemas, suppositories, drugs, and surgery.
- Anemia - Read about anemia (low blood cell count, low hemoglobin) causes like iron deficiency, stomach ulcers, medications, colon cancer, trauma, vitamin 12 or folate deficiency, leukemia, myltiple myeloma and more.
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