What is Celiac Disease? How is it diagnosed?
Celiac disease (“CD”) is an autoimmune condition triggered by the intake of gluten in genetically predisposed individuals. The only treatment for CD is a strict gluten-free diet for life. Luckily there are now many tasty and nutritious gluten-free foods, like Perky’s 100% Natural™ cereals that make it easier than ever to eliminate gluten from one’s diet. Once thought to be a rare disorder, CD is now known to affect as many as 1 in 100 Americans. Symptoms of the disease vary in nature (i.e. diarrhea, skin rashes, migraines) and severity (from debilitating to mild to none at all). Gone untreated CD may result in diseases of malnutrition such as osteoporosis, infertility and anemia; it also increases the likelihood of developing other autoimmune conditions and cancers of the gut. Celiac disease is the most under-diagnosed health condition today, often mislabeled as irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, ulcers and anxiety disorders. It can be diagnosed through a
