A Genetic and Environmentally Triggered Disease

When I share with others that I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease at the young age of two, I often receive reactions expressing surprise. At that time, Celiac Disease was relatively new, and it was uncommon for individuals to receive a diagnosis before reaching their thirties or beyond. This is due to the fact that Celiac Disease is triggered by a combination of environmental factors, knowledge of which was limited back then.

​According to research from PubMed Central, various factors such as intestinal infections, the quality and quantity of gluten consumed, intestinal microbiota, and early nutrition may contribute to the switch from gluten tolerance to an immune response (PubMed Central). Regrettably, I wasn't aware of this information until I read the mentioned article. Despite living with Celiac Disease for almost two decades, I continue to learn something new about it every day.

Celiac Disease, as I've come to understand, arises from a combination of both environmental and genetic factors. Specifically, gluten serves as the environmental trigger for this condition. Various environmental factors have been found to play a role in the immune system's response, including the amount and quality of ingested gluten, the type and duration of wheat dough fermentation, early infant feeding, intestinal microorganisms, and their changes over time, as well as the presence of intestinal infections and stressors (PubMed).

The concept of a disease being triggered by both genetic and environmental factors can be perplexing to comprehend. For those seeking reliable information on Celiac Disease, BeyondCeliac is an excellent resource. According to the same article from BeyondCeliac, while approximately 40% of the general population has genes related to the development of Celiac Disease, only 1% of the population actually develops the condition (BeyondCeliac).

The specific factors that cause Celiac Disease remain elusive, and the specific triggers are not yet fully understood. However, it is evident that there is a history of the disease within families, and some individuals may carry the gene without ever encountering the necessary triggers (BeyondCeliac).
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