What on Earth is a Celiac?

Diane Jakubowski was diagnosed with Celiachave been associated with Celiac Disease are: iron
Disease in spring of 2003,and her somewhatdeficiency anemia, osteoporosis, gum problems,
confused physician sent Jakubowski to theskin problems, Multiple Sclerosis, chronic fatigue
nearest health food market for answers.syndrome and fibromyalgia, peripheral neuropathy,
Celiac Disease, also known as Celiac Sprue, is aand infertility.
genetically-linked autoimmune disease in which theCeliac Disease is frequently misdiagnosed as
absorbing surface of the small intestine isIrritable Bowel Syndrome, Inflammatory Bowel
damaged by gluten, the protein found in wheat,Disease, (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis,
barley, rye, and sometimes even oats. But asproctitis) pancreatitis, and even gall bladder
recently as two years ago, this illness wasdisease, to name but a few.
considered very rare in this country, leaving manyThere are literally millions of Celiac's running around
Celiacs misdiagnosed, under diagnosed, or simplyin this country....who don't even know they are
overlooked altogether.Celiacs. And the really significant additional concern
Approximately 1 in 4700 people in the USA areis that all these folks are simultaneously running
diagnosed Celiacs. But recent medical researchthe risk of developing secondary autoimmune
indicates that this figure is extraordinarilydisease. This, due to the fact that many Celiacs
inaccurate. Suddenly, the long-accepted thinkinggo undiagnosed an average of eleven years...or
that Celiac Disease was rare has literally explodedeven longer.
off of the medical horizon. It is now known that 1In the author's case, it was 52 years.
in 133 folks in this country (or more) are probablyJakubowski's desire is that people will be able to
Celiacs...again going undiagnosed...and sufferinggain answers through information that has been
needlessly for many years.made available on her website. Her wish is that
In Celiac Disease, nutrients pass through thesharing this information may possibly provide a
damaged small intestine, unabsorbed, oftenservice for those who suffer from digestive
creating a host of sometimes devastating healthdisease for decades due to the direct or indirect
problems. Medical conditions and diseases thatimpact of this insidious disease.