Guest guest Posted March 10, 2004 Report Share Posted March 10, 2004 This is from the celiac list ... for you Mom's! (and Dads). -- Heidi Jean ------------------------ I got permission from the editor of a magazine directed to health food stores, " Natural Foods Merchandiser " , to post this article from their February, 2004 issue: " Introducting grains early in infants' diets may increase their risk of developing insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in childhood, according to two studies in JAMA (2003;290:1713-28). These findings suggest that infants who consume grain products before three months are most at risk of having pancreas damage and becoming diabetic. In the first new study, 1,183 children at increased risk of developing IDDM were followed for an average of four year. Information on the infant's diet was collected, including the dates foods were introduced, frequency of exposure and the types of foods consumed. Infants exposed to any grains before four months or after six months had a higher risk of developing antibodies to the pancreas, compared with children who were introduced to grains between four and six months. This suggest that there may be an optimal window to introduce grain products without increasing IDDM risk. Several studies have found an association between IDDM and early consumption of gluten, a protein found primarily in wheat, oats, rye and barley. As a result, some physicians have recommended rice-based cereals instead. However, no significant difference was observed between gluten and rice grain products, suggesting that introducing any grains outside of the two-month window may increase IDDM risk. In the second new study, 1,610 children born of IDDM parents were followed for up to 11 years. Tests to evaluate gluten sensitivity were performed, since some studies suggest an association between IDDM and gluten sensitivity (celiac disease). Antibody production against cells in the pancreas was significantly increased in children who were fed gluten-containing foods in their first three months of life. However, no significant rise in antibodies against the pancreas occurred when children recieved gluten after six months. Although the timing of introducing grains into an infant's diet continues to be debated, both new studies showed that feeding grains to a child under the age of three months may increase the risk of IDDM. No increase in risk was observed in children who wee breast-fed or formula fed, suggesting these may be the best food early in life. Darin Ingels, N.D. author of the Natural Pharmacist: Lowering Cholesterol and Natural Treatments for High Cholesterol. " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.