Coeliac Disease (CD) is a chronic disease that is defined as a permanent intolerance to gluten, a protein that is present in certain cereals such as: wheat, barley, rye, triticale (a hybrid of wheat and rye), spelt, kamut and possibly oats.

Consuming gluten causes severe damage to the intestine, which results in inadequate absorption of nutrients from food.

The only treatment consists of following a strict gluten-free diet for life, since consuming even in small amounts of gluten can seriously affect coeliacs.