Celiac disease is a digestive disorder also known as celiac sprue or gluten intolerance. A person with celiac disease cannot tolerate foods with wheat, barley, and rye because they contain gluten. When gluten is consumed, the body’s immune system attacks the small intestine and interferes with the body’s ability to absorb nutrients from food.

The only way to treat celiac disease is by avoiding all foods that contain gluten. This includes most grains, cereals, and pastas and many processed foods. Most people find that once they stop eating foods with gluten, their symptoms improve right away. To learn more, visit the Celiac Sprue Association Web site at www.csaceliacs.org.

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