Ans. Some of the conditions that can damage the villi are:Intake of protein gluten (found in wheat, barley, and rye grains) in celiac disease allows the immune system to attack the intestinal villi and slow them down (this process can also be termed as villous atrophy). When first diagnosed because their intestinal villi are impaired, many individuals with celiac disease have vitamin and mineral deficiencies.Inflammatory bowel disease, that involves Crohn's disease, may also cause the villi to erode. Few medicines can also cause serious damage to the villi of the intestine. That includes Benicar, a blood pressure drug (generic name: olmesartan), and some over-the-counter painkillers, for example, ibuprofen and aspirin. Usually, discontinuation of the drug may lead to the villi growing back in these situations.