Posts Tagged ‘gluten free society’

Genetic modification of wheat responsible for increase in gluten sensitivity

Friday, September 24th, 2010

New research claims that the toxicity of wheat gluten potentially worsened by cross breeding different strains…

suggests that modern wheat breeding practices may have led to an increased exposure to CD epitopes

Source:

Theor Appl Genet. 2010 Jul 28.

Recent research from across the globe shows a prevalence toward the increase in celiac disease and gluten sensitivity.  We know the problem is growing.  The big question on every one’s mind is – WHY?  The following is a list of some of the potential possibilities.

  1. Genetic manipulation of grains – no long term research has been done on safety, yet we assume these foods are OK contrary to common sense.   Many studies show these foods to be dangerous.
  2. The pervasive use of grains in the food supply.  Almost all packaged foods contains grain either as a main ingredient or an agent to alter food texture, viscosity, etc.  More grain exposure = more people reacting to grain.
  3. The use of herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, etc.  Much like genetically modified foods, these chemicals are used under the assumption that they are safe.
  4. Over use of antibiotics.  Although life saving if one has a bacterial infection, the over utilization of these drugs contributes to a change in the normal healthy gut flora thus weakening the immune system.  Additionally, we feed them to chickens, pigs, cows, and fish that are being raised for human food consumption.
  5. Anti-acid medications.  Nexium, Tums, Prilosec, Rolaids, and more, these drugs suppress acid in the stomach.  Acid suppression weakens the immune system and leads to wide spread malabsorption of nutrients.
  6. Non steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS).  These medications contribute to the destruction of the gastric and intestinal lining thus weakening immunity and predisposing one to intestinal permeability (leaky gut syndrome)
  7. Medications in general.  Many OTC and prescription medications contain grain based adhesives.  Sick from gluten?  Take this pill (with gluten in it) and you will get better?!?
  8. Grain is cheap food.  The government subsidizes grain making it much less expensive to use as a staple food.
  9. Commercialization.  Everywhere you look, there is a billboard, TV commercial, nutritionist, Food Guide Pyramid, etc telling us how healthy whole grains are.
  10. Degradation of the eduction system.  Public schools focus on teaching students how to pass standardized tests.  Nutrition and physical education are given minimal time in the classroom.  Many of those teaching nutrition do not lead by example thus devaluing the lesson.  The nutrition basics taught focus on a Food Guide Pyramid based in grain.

Gluten Free For the Holidays!

Friday, September 24th, 2010

Gluten Free Society and Dr. Peter Osborne are hosting a gluten free meeting on November 13th at the Sugar Land Library.

Note:  This is a new location for the meeting (please see link above for directions).

Place: 550 Eldridge Road, Sugar Land, TX 77478

Time: 11:00 am to 1:00 pm

No Entry Fee, but you must bring a gluten free/grain free dish with recipes.

Join us for learning, food and friendship.

Depression Resolved with Diet Changes

Sunday, July 25th, 2010

If you or a loved one suffer with depression, please watch this video.  A small change in diet is sometimes all that is necessary to overcome this problem.  Remember, food can have drug like effects…sometimes these side effects make us very ill…

Want to learn more about gluten and its impact on human health and disease?

Visit www.glutenfreesociety.org

Packaged Food – High Risk for Cross Contamination of Gluten

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

A new pilot study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association finds a that high number of “gluten free” products are cross contaminated…

Twenty-two inherently gluten-free grains, seeds, and flours not labeled gluten-free were purchased in June 2009 and sent unopened to a company who specializes in gluten analysis. All samples were homogenized and tested in duplicate using the Ridascreen Gliadin sandwich R5 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with cocktail extraction… Nine of 22 (41%) samples contained more than the limit of quantification, with mean gluten levels ranging from 8.5 to 2,925.0 ppm. Seven of 22 samples (32%) contained mean gluten levels >/=20 ppm and would not be considered gluten-free under the proposed FDA rule for gluten-free labeling. Gluten contamination of inherently gluten-free grains, seeds, and flours not labeled gluten-free is a legitimate concern.

Source:

J Am Diet Assoc. 2010 Jun;110(6):937-940.

This pilot study demonstrates a major problem for those following a gluten free diet.  A random test showed that as high as 41% of shelf based products had enough gluten cross contamination to create a health problem for those with gluten intolerance.  Gluten Free Society has always recommended avoiding packaged processed foods for the following reasons:

  1. You cannot control what manufacturers will put in their products.
  2. Packaged processed foods are contradictory to good health.  (Considering that going gluten free is a mandatory decision to restore health, processed gluten free products will not help you achieve this)
  3. Cross contamination is a major issue.
  4. The so called “gluten free” grain substitutes have not been adequately studied to be recommended as staple foods in the diet, and many studies show them to be detrimental for those with celiac disease.

Bottom line:

Don’t fall into the false mindset that eating processed foods labeled “gluten free” are actually gluten free.  Don’t think that eating unhealthy processed food is going to help you re-establish or maintain your health.

Dr. Peter Osborne Interview on Fox News – Gluten Intolerance

Friday, May 21st, 2010


Genetic testing for gluten intolerance is available here