How Does Celiac Disease Happen?

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that
damages the small intestine interfering with
the absorption of nutrients and causing systemic
problems.

The small intestine is the site of digestion of the
food we eat.  These components include proteins,
carbs, fats, mineral, and vitamins.  The small
intestine then absorbs these nutrients and releases
them into the bloodstream, which carries them to
all tissues and cells of the body.

Critical to the absorption are tiny villi, these line
the small intestine.  These villi greatly expand the
intestine's surface area, maximizing the absorption
of nutrients into the bloodstream.

When the immune system of a person with Celiac
is triggered, it attacks and destroys the villi. 
Without villi, nutrients cannot be fully absorbed.
This is called malabsorption.  This is how having
Celiac disease can interfere with absorption of
nutrients. 

In addition to damaging the villi, the immune
response in the intestine causes inflammation
and creates antibodies including antibodies
to food components.