Comments on: It’s breakfast on my first day, and I’m already confused

By: Ainsley

Ainsley — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 22:41:39 +0000

Instead of Udo’s, can I suggest this product I pasted below - which I currently take. It is gluten free AND vegetarian.

http://www.quixtar.com/Products/PrintFlyer.aspx?itemno=102619

By: Elwoodcity

Elwoodcity — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 19:13:34 +0000

So why didn’t they say that in the first place? So they DID run an assay, and it was a good one that could have detected any gluten down to 10 ppm. My understanding is that that is good enough to be certified GF in the U.S. Good. Enjoy in good health!

By: Jenni

Jenni — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 23:38:51 +0000

Hmm, so two things.

* First, Elwoodcity makes some interesting points. I agree that the Udo’s response on the web site is kind of odd. So it made me wonder - and I contacted their PR rep (after all, I _am_ a member of the health care press, and I am reporting on this) for a more direct answer. Here’s what they had to say:

“In response to your question, the product is gluten free; however it is manufactured in a facility where gluten is used in other products. Another source from Flora (the manufacturer) informed me that at 10 PPM there is no detectable gluten; however trace amounts are likely to be present.”

So the upshot: I think I’m OK with the possibility of trace amounts, considering that the pain relieving benefits are MASSIVE and heretofore unachievable. Since I’m not actually a celiac, trace amounts shouldn’t make me sick.

* Second, Shannon asks if Stonyfield Farms yogurt is GF, and here’s what their FAQ has to say:

“Our nonfat, lowfat and whole milk plain yogurts do not contain any gluten source ingredients. We do not add gluten to our products; however, some of the natural flavors used to make our products may contain gluten-derived stabilizers.”

This makes me think I’m OK, but not sure. Anyone want to chime in?

Thanks again for all the incredible advice and feedback! I feel so spoiled.

By: Shannon

Shannon — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 22:27:02 +0000

Since you do not have Celiac, this may be a situation where you say screw it, and still use Udo. As Elwoodcity said, you have to weigh the benefits of the oil versus the benefits of being truly GF.

Did you check on Stoneyfield Farms? I know their plain yogurt is GF, but had not checked on their flavors. It would be awesome if it is! Also, if you like kefir then try the Lifeways kefir. It is labled GF. Well, except for the cappuccino flavor. Darn it!

By: Elwoodcity

Elwoodcity — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 19:09:22 +0000

I have a celiac friend who is a plant chemist who has run the ELIZA assay himself on various strains of oats. He has found that some strains of oats have gluten-like proteins and some do not. They are not technically gluten, but the standard antibodies, as well as his own blood serum reacted with them, indicating that they are close enough to bother celiacs.

When Udo says “Oats”, unless he specifies what strain he is talking about, he is speaking generally and generalizations are not precise. The fact that Udo doesn’t seem to know about different strains of oats doesn’t inspire me with confidence that these oats are clean. You can find oats that are strains that are certified free from gluten and also free from cross-contamination problems. Sheltie-girl uses GF oats all the time.

It IS true that proteins are not generally oil soluble, but most proteins are water soluble, and gluten is not. I don’t know if the converse is true.

Udo seems a little defensive to me. Old, incorrect information mis-educates people, he says, then bases all his recommendations on papers older than 5 years.

It all depends on the benefit you get from taking Udo’s oil compared to the cost of possibly ingesting oat proteins.