A recent study in Finland reported that the genetic problem with wheat extends to at least 3.5% of the population in that country who have the genes for it (and there are now 11 different genes that can cause it). However, the problem with wheat usually only affects about 1.2% of infants and children.
Fortunately it's not really an allergy. Instead, our T-cells are already pre-programmed by the genome to treat wheat as a deadly poison. It's not, of course, but the genome doesn't know that. Lactose intolerance isn't an allergy either ~ it's just normal. Adults up until about 10,000 years ago had a full set of genes that enabled folks to handle milk up until they were 6 years old or so, and then they shut down lactase production. Normal adults can't handle milk, but mutants can (how's that for spin).
In the US, about 5% of whites, 25% of African Americans and virtually 100% of Asian Americans cannot digest lactose without the aid of lactase pills.With 7% of all Americans having some degree of trouble with milk, and another 3.5% having some degree of trouble with wheat, you have a nice chunk of the market (10.5%) that will NOT BUY products containing milk or wheat, or both.
Those of you with either problem know how terribly many things like that are sold in modern grocerystores. Even sodapop has wheat additives (called "modified food starch") ~ I'm down to one brand in one flavor because of that.
I'm starting a campaign to force "truth in labeling" on cornbread so that it only has corn in it, and Rice Krispies have only rice! And what's this problem with so many cooks who ruin perfectly good chili by putting in flour when there's so much cornstarch available.
BTW, there's another 40%+ of the population who have a fish allergy to one degree or the other. A few of them really get sick. Most don't.
I can always tell a fellow celiac because they understand the diference between intolerance and allergy! Thus you know why I use the word “allergy” as to not to have explain over and over to the uninformed.
Here’s my favorite (as I am chowing down on a ridiculously expensive, tasteless, gluten free rice bagel - that looks like a normal bagel) “Oh, I thought you DIDN’T eat wheat!” SCREAM!!!!! Gets a little tiring after a while.
Don’t you want to scream at the reasearchers as they scratch their heads and try to explain the figures - Yes, its more prevalent in certain nationalities because it is GENETIC!!!! Yes, it only affects 1.2% children because they have not been exposed to wheat long enough to have the damage adults do! Teens are being diagnosed in the US at an alarming rate - look at the diets they eat - WHEATFUL!!! You are hard pressed to go down the grocery aisle and find a food that doesn’t have wheat in it!
You must have the same frustration I do. As far as your soda, check out the new codex alimentarius standards. Modified Food Starch -IF produced in the USA MUST come from CORN. However, if from another country - it is not the same standard.
And the Communion thing - former Catholic - understand that!!! One church will not make exception for a celiac family - forcing the family from the church, lawsuits, fear of going to hell because their child did not receive first holy communion!
Great corn bread - Chi-Chi’s Fiesta Sweet Corn Cake Mix www.chichissalsa.com. Can get it at your local grocery in the Mexican aisle. Mmmmmmm Gluten Free!!! Here I go - still haven’t had lunch!
I am in favor of “truth in labeling” too. While you want to keep the wheat out of cornbread, I want to keep the corn out of everything. I am VERY allergic to corn, and as far as I can tell corn is in almost everything sold in the supermarket that has 3 or more ingredients. It will be corn starch corn flour, corn oil, or high fructos corn syrup. also sweeterner dextros and moltos are made from corn and maltodextrin is a flavor enhancer, and it makes my throat close up. Very scary when that happens.