biological explanation

• autoimmune condition, meaning immune system, which fights infections, mistakes part of body as threat and attacks it.
• immune system mistake gliadin, substance found in gluten as threat to body and attacks it
• causes damage to villi (tiny projections lining small intestine)
• antibodies cause the surface of the intestine to become inflamed and the villi are flattened, meaning the body's ability to absorb nutrients is disrupted
• villi normally help the nutrients from food be absorbed through the small intestine walls into bloodstream
• coeliac disease is not a food allergy or gluten intolerance, but autoimmune response where healthy substances are mistaken for harmful ones and body produces antibodies against them