If you go into your local grocery store, you are bound to find a host of gluten-

Question

If you go into your local grocery store, you are bound to find a host of gluten-free products made with synthetic proteins instead of the natural wheat-based protein gluten. About 1-3% of the population is sensitive to gluten. The most severe form of gluten intolerance is the autoimmune disease celiac disease. In individuals with celiac disease, the immune response to gluten antigens causes the flattening of the villi in the small intestine. How would this affect the ability of the small intestine to function? Predict the symptoms you would expect to see fro celiac disease.

Explanation / Answer

There are presence of finger like projections in small intestine known as villi that increases the surface area of absorption of nutrients. When celiac disease occurs due to gluten intake, inflammatory reactions occur in the small intestine as a result of which the villi becomes flattened leading to a decrease in the surface area of absorption of nutrients.This eventually leads to malabsorption and malnutrition.The mucosal layer of small intestine is also damaged such that salt and water leak out causing diarrhea.

The symptoms are :

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