Celiac disease

The celiac disease is an immune disease in which gluten represents the principal cause. Gluten is contained in several cereals, such as oats, wheat, rye and barley. Immune system of persons affected by this disease is wrongly activated when gluten component are presented by antigen presenting cells of small gut. T lymphocytes destroy the small intestine cells presenting this antigen, with a big damage in the whole gut functionality.

Indeed, patients that suffer fro celiac disease, have frequent diarrhea and other intestinal problems that seriously compromise normal life. Celiac disease is particularly dangerous in childhood, because of dehydration. Giving the genetic components of this disease, it’s important that babies with familial cases of celiac disease are immediately screened and identified as sick. The only way to treat the celiac disease is a gluten free diet. Indeed, this approach allows not only to prevent symptoms but also to regenerate the intestinal cellular layers previously destroyed. Numerous foods don’t contain gluten: rice, meat, vegetables and fruits can be eaten by celiac people without any problems and other dietary limitations can be overcome with gluten free products now available on the market. In the next future, a vaccine will be probably developed and distributed. It’s important that susceptible babies will be vaccinated in order to teach their body to recognize gluten as a positive element.