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Celiac sprue

By Barbara Bradley Bolen, Ph.D., About.com

Updated: January 19, 2008

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

Definition: An inherited, digestive disorder in which eating foods that contain gluten sets off an autoimmune response that damages the small intestine and interferes with the body's ability to absorb certain essential nutrients.

Gluten is a protein most commonly found in wheat, barley and rye.

Also Known As: celiac disease

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