Lectins are potentially active substances in many plant foods. A striking association is that celiac disease predisposes patients to the eventual development of lymphoma. There is evidence that strict adherence to a gluten-free diet long term will reduce the incidence of lymphoma. Anti-gliadin antibodies are most commonly found in the immune complexes, associated with major systemic disease. Celiac disease seems to be a general disorder of the gastrointestinal tract associated with increased permeability.
Lymphocytic gastritis is associated with celiac disease.
The aim of this study was to prospectively compare gastric and intestinal permeability with histological changes of the stomach and small bowel in patients with celiac disease. This discussion of celiac disease is continued in the Book of Celiac .