But gluten sensitivity occurs in response to a specific protein known as gliadin, notes cardiologist William Davis, MD, author of Wheat Belly.

— W.C.S. ANSWER: People with unexpected osteoporosis should be considered for celiac disease testing. Celiac disease is a condition of damage to the small intestine due to gliadin sensitivity.

Gliadin also induced caspase-3 cleavage and epithelial cell death in CeD organoids. By contrast, IL-15 induction and caspase-3 cleavage were not seen in non-CeD organoids treated with gliadin.