[robertpaulsen]

"The wheat stimulates the destruction of the intestinal villi. You may not see the symptoms but the internal damage can still be occuring in isolated patches of the intestine."

My understanding is that after avoiding gluten completely, the intestine will return to to its normal function -- that there is no permanent damage.

Is that correct?

[parcel_of_rogues]

"My understanding is that after avoiding gluten completely, the intestine will return to to its normal function -- that there is no permanent damage."

That is correct.

[pageonetoo]

To my limited knowledge, yes. From personal experience with my daughter, she has no problems eating anything, these days. She did without stuff until around age 5-6, then we slowly introduced her to a variety of foods (all, under the supervision of her pediatrician). According to the specialists, this is lifelong, but not proven so, in our lives.

I do not believe this woman's child (in the article) had a severe reaction to anything she ate at MickeyD's. I don't know of anybody that does (though I also don't know all the people in the world). I think she found a hungry lawyer, with a penchant for frivolity. If John Edwards can channel a little dead girl, then anything like this is definitely possible!

As for more answers, my link is to the Celiac Disease Foundation... They actually have facts!