Monday, February 14, 2011

"The Intestinal Battlefield"

I think I am starting to understand how gliadin affects the intestines.  Dr. Peter H.R. Green, M.D., who is the director of the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University, has written an informative book. It is entitled, Celiac Disease:  A Hidden Epidemic.  In his book, on Page 26, he explains:  "In the digestive tract of people with celiac disease, the gliadin molecule gets into the intestinal lining and continually stimulates the inflammatory response.  The inflammation becomes excessive and causes continuous damage to the villi until the triggering toxin is removed."

OK...though this quote is beneficial, I suppose it is a little on the technical side. :)  My eleven-year-old daughter (who also has celiac disease), summarizes this idea in the following way:  "A molecule gets into your digestive system and RUINS IT!"  However, our lives are not ruined forever.  We have the opportunity to eat delicious gluten-free food happily...(especially chocolate). 

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