Coeliac disease is a medical condition and is a permanent intestinal intolerance to dietary gluten, the protein portion of wheat, rye, barley, triticale and oats. Sufferers of Coeliac disease have a damaged small bowel, where the absorption of nutrients and minerals from food is seriously depleted. This leads to deficiencies in vitamins, iron, folic acid and calcium, because of poor absorption.
Coeliac disease is becoming recognised as more common than previously thought. There are no firm statistics, but it is believed that thousands of Australians have Coeliac disease. It is predominantly a disease of Caucasians, with people of Celtic origin being the most susceptible to the condition.
Coeliac disease is treated by a life long gluten free diet. By specifically removing the cause of the disease, this treatment allows all abnormalities, including that of bowel lining, to recover completely.
If you are not sure of the gluten content of any food, use the general rule - leave it out. Information about gluten free diets can be obtained from qualified dietitians, or your state branch of the Coeliac Society of Australia.