"I am not aware of any other laboratory test available in the United States that aids in the diagnosis of Celiac Disease, which is this convenient and reliable and is able to be done inexpensively in either a medical facility or the comfort of one's home," says John Kernohan, Director of York Nutritional Laboratories, Inc.

Using a unique specimen collection kit, both medical professionals and patients alike can simply prick the end of the finger to collect a tiny sample of blood required for testing. "The specimen is conveniently sent to our laboratory in a provided return mailer. An analysis known as an IgA Tissue Transglutaminase (tTG) Autoantibody Assay is then performed, and within 10 days the test results and support materials are shipped directly to either the ordering physician or the patient," explains Martha Gonzalez, York Nutritional Laboratories' Operations Manager. "This entire non-invasive process is far less expensive and much more convenient than the intestinal biopsy procedure used in the past."

Allergy expert, author and nutritionist, Melissa Diane Smith, Dipl., Nutr., originally announced the cdSCAN in her current best selling book, "Going Against The Grain" (Contemporary Books, 2002). She comments, "By eliminating the need for a blood draw, while at the same time utilizing the highly accurate tTG ELISA method, the cdSCAN represents an advancement in the screening for Celiac Disease that other labs will probably be scrambling to duplicate.

"This is especially great news for the consumer," Smith adds. "It is now extremely simple and convenient to test for an under-diagnosed condition that can lead to far-reaching, insidious health complications."

    BACKGROUND NOTES:

    * York Nutritional Laboratories has been a pioneer in the arenas of
       immunology, food allergy, diet and nutrition and has carried out tens
       of thousands of tests for patients throughout the world for over 18
       years.

    * The laboratory first came to international attention with its
       development of the foodSCAN -- a simple "pin-prick" kit that allows
       doctors and patients to test for IgG-mediated food intolerance against
       113 foods.

    * The analysis of the cdSCAN uses the proven ELISA (Enzyme Linked
       Immunosorbent Assay) technique, which works by measuring levels of IgA
       antibodies to tissue transglutaminase in a person's blood.  A detected
       increase in the antibody indicates the probability of Celiac Disease.

    * Celiac Disease is a genetic disorder affecting children and adults.
       People with CD are unable to eat foods that contain gluten, which is
       found in wheat and other grains. In people with CD, gluten sets off an
       autoimmune reaction that causes the destruction of the villi in the
       small intestine.  People with CD produce antibodies that attack the
       intestine, causing damage and illness.

    * Symptoms of Celiac Disease include diarrhea, weight loss, abdominal
       pain, chronic fatigue, weakness, malnutrition, and other
       gastrointestinal problems.  In children, the symptoms may include
       failure to thrive, irritability, inability to concentrate, diarrhea and
       bloating.  Further, people affected by CD may experience extra
       intestinal symptoms that involve many systems and organs including
       bones (osteoporosis, arthritis, and joint pain), blood (anemia and
       bleeding), reproductive system (infertility and reoccurring
       miscarriages), nervous system (chronic fatigue syndrome, depression,
       dementia), and behavioral changes.  However, some people who have a
       "silent" form of the disease have no obvious symptoms or only
       experience vague symptoms such as fatigue.

    * Nearly one out of every 150 Americans suffer from Celiac Disease,
       according to a study by the University of Maryland Center for Celiac
       Research.  The research indicates that CD is twice as common as
       Crohn's Disease, ulcerative colitis and cystic fibrosis combined.

    * Untreated Celiac Disease can be life-threatening.  Celiacs are more
       likely to be afflicted with problems relating to malabsorption,
       including osteoporosis, tooth enamel defects, central and peripheral
       nervous system disease, pancreatic disease, internal hemorrhaging,
       organ disorders (gall bladder, liver, and spleen), and gynecological
       disorders.  Untreated CD has also been linked to an increased risk of
       certain types of cancer, especially intestinal lymphoma.

For further information about the cdSCAN, Celiac Disease or food intolerance testing, contact John Kernohan: Toll Free (888) 751-3388, Fax (954) 920-3729, info@yorkallergyusa.com or www.yorkallergyusa.com .