"Celiac disease is a hereditary autoimmune condition that damages the lining of the small intestine so that it cannot properly absorb food. Without essential nutrients, the entire body begins to suffer. The disease is triggered by gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. The only "cure" for the disease is a life-long gluten-free diet. The disease affects nearly 1 in every 100 people in the United States--50 percent of whom remain undiagnosed and untreated. Although the primary target of injury is the small intestine, CD can and often does affect the entire body. Complications from the disease can include infertility, liver disease, osteoporosis, anemia, and other autoimmune diseases (such as Type 1 diabetes and Thyroid disease), neurological conditions, and even cancer." -- provided by publisher.

Part I, Is the food you eat eating you? -- Normal digestion -- The digestive tract in flames: celiac disease -- How does celiac disease affect you? -- How do I know if I have it? The diagnosis of celiac disease -- Differential diagnosis: why is celiac disease underdiagnosed? -- Why do people get celiac disease? -- Part II, Related conditions and complications -- Neurological manifestations -- Malignancy -- Osteoporosis -- Depression -- Dermatitis herpetiformis and other skin diseases -- Diabetes -- Infertility -- Autoimmune and other related conditions -- Part III, Understanding and treating celiac disease: medical management -- What you need to know - and do - after diagnosis -- Why symptoms persist - I'm on the diet and not getting better -- Follow-up testing -- Part IV, The diet: do you eat to live or live to eat? -- What living gluten-free really means: the basics -- Reading labels -- Cooking without gluten -- Eating in the real world -- Family occasions -- The medicine cabinet and cosmetics -- Is your gluten-free diet healthy? -- Part V, Living with celiac disease -- Dealing with children and young adults who have celiac disease -- Adults: coping with change -- Research: finding a cure -- Myths and unexplored areas.