- Looking online for alternative medicine providers to diagnose or treat celiac disease is a bad idea because many websites market unproven or ineffective tests and treatments, researchers say.
Overall, 178 sites, or 36 percent, made at least one claim regarding celiac disease, gluten sensitivity or a gluten-free diet. And 60 percent of these marketing claims were either false or unproven, the study found. Celiac disease has become more common in recent years, due in part to increased awareness and testing, but also because intolerance to gluten is becoming more common in the population, they add.
In the study, 40 percent of naturopath clinics advertised at least one option for diagnosing or treating celiac disease. So did 36 percent of integrative medicine clinics, 20 percent of homeopaths, 14 percent of acupuncturists and 12 percent of chiropractors.