Frequently asked questions

Celiac disease is a serious autoimmune disease that occurs in genetically inclined people where the ingestion of gluten (Found in Wheat & Wheat products and is a protein of wheat) leads to damage in the small intestine. It is estimated to affect 1 in 100 people worldwide. In India nearly 6 to 8 million people are affected due to celiac disease and many more are undiagnosed and are at risk for long-term health complications. When people with celiac disease eat gluten (a protein found in wheat), their body mounts an immune response that attacks the small intestine. These attacks lead to damage on the villi, small fingerlike projections that line the small intestine, that promote nutrient absorption. When the villi get damaged, nutrients cannot be absorbed properly into the body. Celiac disease is hereditary, meaning that it runs in families. People with a first-degree relative with celiac disease (parent, child, sibling) have a 1 in 10 risk of developing celiac disease. Celiac disease can develop at any age after people start eating foods or medicines that contain gluten. Left untreated, celiac disease can lead to additional serious health problems.