From Kelly Dorfman, Clinical Nutritionist on Corn Intolerance

Yesterday, September 18th, Kelly Dorfman,a Clinical Nutritionist, posted this article on Huffington Post.  I wanted to share it with you all here.  The article is titled “Corn:  New Worries about and Old Favorite” and raises many of the points that I’ve pondered over the past 2 1/2 years.  What are your thoughts?

–

I am starting to worry about corn. It started a few years ago when I noticed allergic babies in my practice were beginning to react to the infant formulas designed for them. These specialty products are made from basic protein building blocks (amino acids) rather than pre-digested milk protein. Minimum digestive function is required to tolerate them. In addition, they lack the complex antigens that tend to set off immune reactions, so they were a dependable way to save the day (and baby).

–

Despite being completely unnatural, these formulas are a critically needed feeding alternative for sensitive babies. But several years ago, I started to notice a problem. At first, it was a case here and there, but soon a growing number of infants appeared who could not tolerate any commercial formula. One frantic mother sat in my office with a red, mottled baby who screeched through the entire hour appointment. When I asked how often she was distressed at this level, the exhausted mom replied, “23 hours a day.” Several specialists and numerous formulas yielded the same distressed response.

–

I suspected corn.

–

The safety of GM foods is still being debated elsewhere, though not in as much gory detail as it deserves. Clearly, a policy of playing with our food now and deciding if what we are doing is safe later is risky. Our collective history is littered with the dead bodies of those who paid the price for scientific arrogance or someone else’s economic self-interest. Consequently, accepting assurances that ingesting food with inserted bacterial DNA is no different than eating the unadulterated stuff, from the very people who stand to gain from selling said food, could be hazardous to your health. When people started reporting symptoms from eating adulterated corn, I listened and blamed the GM process.

–

As is often the case, one does not know what one does not know. A study published earlier this year about bee colony collapse suggests a new wrinkle in corn land. Since 2006, honeybees have been dying at an alarming rate. Farmers need bees for crop pollination and if they keep dying at the current rate, there could be serious food production problems. Dr. Chenshen Lu from the Harvard School of Public Health has studied the colony collapse phenomenon. His research concerns the high-fructose corn syrup used to sustain bees over the winter. Specifically, his test target is imidacloprid, one of the world’s most popular pesticides.

–

In my practice, the health effects are often subtle, making it extremely difficult to ascertain whether the problem is corn, pollutants, food adulterations, fabric softener, sunscreen additives or a high pollen count. … The problem is the loss of navigational control regarding food safety. Somehow we have completely lost our way.

–

Read more here.

The Truth About Flouride from Dr. Doris Rapp

You can read the entire blog post here.  Below is an excerpt from her blog post.

–

Fluoride-pushing doctors and dentists who try to contaminate your water supply with fluoride are promoting their deadly agenda with a clever lie… a lie you will see obediently repeated in every fluoride push. Here’s how it sounds:

–

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral in the water. Our city’s water is unfortunate enough to have a low level, so we are simply adjusting the fluoride in the water to its optimum levels to improve public health.

–

This lie is repeated almost verbatim, across every city that seeks to poison its citizens with fluoride. Why is it a lie? Here are the five false deceptions found embedded in the statement:

–

Deception #1) The fluoride ADDED to the water is not “naturally occurring fluoride.” It’s a chemical byproduct often purchased from chemical plants in China (see below).

–

Deception #2) The false idea that ingesting fluoride is somehow good for your teeth. At best, fluoride is a topical treatment which should be swished around your mouth and then spat out. And that’s only if it’s truly natural (mineral) fluoride, not the fluosilicic acid toxins being pushed as fluoride.

–

Deception #3) What cities call “fluoride” is actually a toxic cocktail of over 100 deadly industrial chemicals and heavy metals, many of which are purchased in bulk from China, where industrial processing plants are trying to get rid of their excess toxic waste by labeling it “sodium fluoride.”

–

Deception #4) There is no such thing as a “low” level of fluoride or an “optimum” level of fluoride in drinking water. Pure drinking water should contain NO fluoride whatsoever.

–

Deception #5) Fluoride is “safe” for human consumption. Oh really? Then why is sodium fluoride labeled by its industrial manufacturers with stern safety warnings about causing severe harm to humans?

–

Chinese fluoride manufacturers openly admit to the toxicity of the chemical

–

Read more here.

Fruits, Veggies, and Pesticides (Infographic)

This Infographic is brought to you by Ecomom

–

Drop the Money Bomb on Monsanto by Mommypotamus

Heather at Mommypotamus and others around the US are coming together to raise over $1 million dollars to make the case for GMO labeling to Californians.  If we’re successful Dr. Mercola, Nature’s Path, Lundberg Family Farms and Eden Foods will donate an additional $1 Million towards the effort.  Please take a moment to read Heather’s blog post for additional information and to donate to the Organic Consumers Fund.  We have until May 26th, 2012 to donate.

“How Chemicals Affect Us” – Nicholas D. Kristof

Hi, all.  I’m sorry for the hiatus, lots of awful reactions happening on the home front.  Take a moment to read this piece from Nicholas Kristof at the New York Times.  I hope it’s an eye opener for many but we are battling an age of “unknown-knowns.”

–

How Chemicals Affect Us

We Need Your Help!

Let’s gain Corn Allergy Awareness.

–

I would like to encourage you to write 2-3 paragraphs concerning corn allergy and how it impacts and affects every aspect of your life.  This can include finding safe food, drinking water, medical issues, ADD/ADHD, neurological and behavioral issues, etc.  Please encourage those who love you and who are also affecting by your corn allergy to write 2-3 paragraphs concerning how corn allergy also affects their lives.  It doesn’t have to be the best written letter….IT JUST NEEDS TO BE WRITTEN!  Sorry for shouting, but so many people have tried over the years to gain corn allergy awareness.  This had a good shot if everyone would just try.  You can write the paragraphs anonymously.  Just please, consider writing something.  If you don’t feel like it, get your child to write it or your husband, or a supportive grandparent, or a supportive friend or sibling.  It think it would be powerful to hear about corn allergy from their perspective.

–

Please share this with everyone you know.  People on allergy awareness forums, people off of any forum, people with blogs, people on Facebook, people on the Facebook avoiding corn group, anyone, everyone who loves and supports you.

–

Please consider this.  This is an actual plea….with a bonafied southern accent to boot.

–

Here’s the link to the Write-In Campaign:  http://cornfreedom.com/blog/?p=154

–

If you’re not on Facebook, email the letter to me (cornfreelifestyle@gmail.com) or paste it here and I will get it to Nicole over at corn freedom.

–

If you have a blog please re-port this, you don’t have to post it word for word…just post it.  Please.  Encourage everyone who loves you to write in.  My hubby wrote 2 pages.  It was cathartic for him.  I would let Yipi write something…but, well, she’s only 21+ months.  She can read but her writing needs some work  ;-)

The Beginning of GMO Corn?

I came across these videos last night, as I was searching for organic cotton clothing.  It was kismet.  It seems like this was the beginning of GMO corn, introducing the idea to the world at least.  I think this man had really great intentions; however so many countries are banning GMO foods, especially corn, it does not seem like the rest of the world wants GMO corn and individuals from the States aren’t given a choice.  Thoughts?

–

Quotes from the movie:

–

“Here are planted no seeds of war but seeds of peace…”

–

“Bigley’s Best Hybrid Corn…high yield, resists disease and insects!”

–

“When word got around after 1906 that a number of scientist had explored the possibilities of a technique of exceedingly close inbreeding, the result was a genetic explosion…

–

“….grotesques combinations of all of the good, and bad, in corn.”

–

“Plant incest….we all have seen the effects of inbreeding.”

–

–

–

–

Corn Allergy and Autism from Vickie Ewell

According to recent research conducted by researchers at UAB and more current estimates by the CDC’s National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (2008 AASP Data).  I would like to pair this research with the recent article (posted to the Delphi Forum by Eldi) from Vickie Ewell at Autism/Asperger’s Syndrome.  I am unaware if the CDC has investigated the effects of food allergens/intolerance/sensitivites on the symptoms of Austism.  If you have any information concerning that research I would appreciate you sharing it in the comments section.

–

It is high time corn derivatives are labeled, not just in food and beverages, but also in emergency and non-emergency medical equipment, prescription and over the counter medications, office supplies, household cleaning items, plastics, paints, cigarette, and the list goes on.

–

Please take a moment and consider joining this Write-In Campaign (click here for link to Campaign) to get corn and corn derivatives labeled.  This can save lives and make the lives of those affected actually livable.

–

Corn Allergy and Autism Dietary Intervention by Vickie Ewell

–

Dietary intervention for autism can improve autistic behaviors and symptoms. While a GFCF diet is the most popular, corn allergy may interfere with results.

–

Dietary interventions for autism are popular treatment options among biomedical physicians and parents, but their usefulness is limited to an individual’s food and chemical sensitivities as well as health problems and imbalances. Like any autism treatment, the effectiveness of dietary restrictions range from a complete reversal of symptoms and behaviors to absolutely no effect at all. The degree to which diet helps requires total compliance to the program and elimination of all potential cross-contamination, but it also requires you pinpoint an individual’s allergens accurately.

–

While a gluten-free casein-free diet (GFCF) is the most popular dietary option among the parents of autistic children, additional allergies such as corn intolerance can make it seem like dietary intervention isn’t working. Since wheat, milk, soy, corn and eggs are the most common allergens found among autistics, before giving up on dietary treatments, it’s a good idea to investigate all potential sensitivities and allergies.

–

Pinning Allergies and Sensitivities is Difficult

–

During an allergic response to food, the body interprets harmless protein or other molecules as a threat. This causes the body’s immune system to make antibodies to fight against these molecules. Once the body makes antibodies, the threatening food particles are called allergens. The first few times the body encounters allergens, autistic symptoms and behavioral issues might not result. It takes a certain number of antibodies built up in the blood to trigger an allergy or sensitivity.

–

As the level of antibodies rises, even slight exposures to allergens can result in extreme reactions. So can emotional stress, overexertion, fatigue and severe weather conditions. Autistic individuals can become more sensitive and begin reacting to foods, chemicals and other substances they didn’t react to before. Air pollution, scented household and personal care products, a combination of allergens and heavy ingestions of one particular food, chemical or substance can create an environment that is ripe for overreactions.

–

While you or your autistic child may not actually be allergic or sensitive to the various chemicals that can cause the body to manufacture antibodies, natural gas, car exhaust, smog, tobacco smoke and the PCBs in plastic can prime the immune system for future allergic responses to other things. This threshold requirement makes it difficult to pin down exact causes for erratic, emotional behaviors and physical reactions because a child or adult with autism might not always react visibly when they have eaten or been exposed to an allergen.

–

The Problem of Hidden Corn Derivatives

–

Discovering the places where corn and corn derivatives hide is essential to eliminating them from the diet. However, U.S. law doesn’t require manufacturers to list ingredients on the label that have been legally determined to be proprietary information. Since corn is not one of the eight major allergens, this trade secret status is often used. Manufacturers do not have to reveal whether a natural flavoring or the citric acid in a product came from corn.

 –

More difficult than discerning generic ingredient terms is that manufacturers do not have to list or disclose processing aids. A processing aid is not considered an ingredient. Eggs, vegetables and poultry can be washed in a corn-based cleaning solution without that information being available on the package. In addition, the package itself can be dusted with cornstarch to keep its contents from sticking to the wrapper. These types of practices are common and make it extremely difficult to guarantee that any diet is completely corn free.

–

A GFCF Diet Can Trigger Corn Allergies

–

While some autistic children are born with a corn allergy, others develop problems due to the abundance of corn and its derivatives in typical American meals. A gluten-free diet uses alternative grains other than wheat, barley and rye plus starches such as tapioca, potato and cornstarch to replace ordinary wheat flour in baked goods and pastas. It uses vegetable gums such as xanthan gum to help imitate the properties of gluten. Corn oils, dairy-free margarines and corn-based cereals are encouraged. [read more]

–

Read the entire article here.

–

New Data on Autism Spectrum Disorders from the CDC

–

CDC estimates 1 in 88 children (11.3 per 1,000) has been identified with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

 –

This marks a 23% increase since our last report in 2009. And, a 78% increase since our first report in 2007. Some of the increase is due to the way children are identified, diagnosed and served in their local communities, although exactly how much is due to these factors in unknown.

–

The number of children identified with ASDs varied widely across the 14 ADDM Network sites, from 1 in 47 (21.2 per 1,000) to 1 in 210 (4.8 per 1,000).

–

ASDs are almost 5 times more common among boys (1 in 54) than among girls (1 in 252).

–

The largest increases over time were among Hispanic children (110%) and black children (91%). We suspect that some of this increase is due to greater awareness and better identification among these groups. However, this finding explains only part of the increase over time, as more children are being identified in all groups. [read more]

Something to Make you Laugh…

Do you ever feel like people miss the point you’re trying to make?  Hopefully this will make you smile a bit.

–

Blog: Seven Foods You Should Never Eat from BGGWL

A Black Girl’s Guide to Weight Loss posted this information and I wanted to share it with you all.  Some of you may have seen it before but just in case you haven’t, here it is.

–

I would like to take this opportunity now to thank my corn allergy/intolerance.  Without it, I would still be eating crappy food and making myself extremely ill with no hope of getting better.