A Little Discussion about Quinoa

[peter grimes]

I've had the allergy test done and now I carry a card for proof that I have an allergic reaction to Wheat. I don't know about if I have celiac disease though.

Hmm, I thought, perhaps mistakenly, that celiac disease is a functional wheat allergy.

 

[Zelig]

I'd like to agree with you, but people who suffer from celiac disease have a serious problem with it.

However, I'm afraid far to many people self-diagnose and claim a "food allergy" which is, numerically, rare.

Many people who suffer from a peanut allergy have a serious problem eating foods with peanuts, but for some reason peanut-free foods haven't become a fad.

I've had the allergy test done and now I carry a card for proof that I have an allergic reaction to Wheat.

From an actual doctor, or from some naturopath?

And why would you need to carry a card for proof? If you're actually allergic to wheat, it's a like a peanut allergy, just don't eat foods with it.

 

[Murky]

Many people who suffer from a peanut allergy have a serious problem eating foods with peanuts, but for some reason peanut-free foods haven't become a fad.



From an actual doctor, or from some naturopath?

And why would you need to carry a card for proof? If you're actually allergic to wheat, it's a like a peanut allergy, just don't eat foods with it.

I had a blood sample sent to a certified lab that tested it.

 

[peter grimes]

And why would you need to carry a card for proof?

Maybe in case he runs into this attitude:

From an actual doctor, or from some naturopath?

Be careful with health issues - you never know what is going on behind the scenes in someone else's life.

 

[Zelig]

I had a blood sample sent to a certified lab that tested it.

For specifically wheat, or for food allergies in general? Look for IgG/IgG4 or IgE antibodies?

 

[hobbsyoyo]

There you go again Pete - trying to restrict the rights of users to be experts IN ALL THINGS wantonly.

I AM THE EXPERT ON HYPERLOOPS AND SPACE AND STUFF.

Half the fun I have is pretending to know it all and then arguing vigorously when someone calls my bluff.

 

[NovaKart]

I've only had it once, at my cousin's place. She's super crunchy granola. I didn't care for it much.

 

[Murky]

For specifically wheat, or for food allergies in general? Look for IgG/IgG4 or IgE antibodies?

It was test for food allergies. The doctor's office took a large enough quanity that they had enough to test for 150 known allergens in various foods. I'm also allergic to milk, spelt and millet.

 

[downtown]

I don't think it's bad, I've had it in wraps and with veggies before, and my wife seems to enjoy it, but I think all things being equal, I'd rather have rice. It's not a bad change of pace food though.

 

[Zelig]

It was test for food allergies. The doctor's office took a large enough quanity that they had enough to test for 150 known allergens in various foods. I'm also allergic to milk, spelt and millet.

Probably a waste of money.

 

[NovaKart]

It was test for food allergies. The doctor's office took a large enough quanity that they had enough to test for 150 known allergens in various foods. I'm also allergic to milk, spelt and millet.

How do you eat?

 

[Murky]

Probably a waste of money.

The test isn't covered by medicare because of the medical lobby not because it's invalid.

I know for fact I felt some of the worst cramps when exposed to Wheat. Now, that I avoid it I feel a lot better. One previous Dr. recommended that I keep a food journal to note how my body reacted to certain foods. My worst days were always after eating Wheat products, especially whole wheat cereal.

There's a good PDF on how food allergies work.
http://library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1102641275847-200/Patient+FAQs.pdf

This too.
http://library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1102641275847-201/FoodRxns--RMA_2.pdf

To answer the other question posed. I eat healthy foods, but it does cost a bit more.

 

[Zelig]

The test isn't covered by medicare because of the medical lobby not because it's invalid.

That doesn't address that the test is invalid, and is irrelevant anyway, as the news article is from a Canadian source where medicare isn't a thing.

There's no evidence that IgG4 tests are of any value.

 

[Thorgalaeg]

I am currently hooked to Avena and dont see any reason to change to this Quinoa thing, since it seems less tasty, with same nutritional value and much more expensive.

 

[Murky]

That doesn't address that the test is invalid, and is irrelevant anyway, as the news article is from a Canadian source where medicare isn't a thing.

There's no evidence that IgG4 tests are of any value.

None whatsoever eh? Quoting your own source:

Although elimination of foods based on IgG-4 testing in IBS patients resulted in an improvement in symptoms, the positive effects of food elimination were more likely due to wheat and milk elimination than IgG-4 test-determined factors.[46] The IgG-4 test specificity is questionable as healthy individuals with no symptoms of food intolerance also test positive for IgG-4 to several foods.

 

[carmen510]

I've heard it is a very nutritious grain, but it is rather expensive.

The recent upsurge in demand for quinoa has also contributed to environmental degradation in Bolivia and priced it beyond the means of the local population.

 

[peter grimes]

It was test for food allergies. The doctor's office took a large enough quanity that they had enough to test for 150 known allergens in various foods. I'm also allergic to milk, spelt and millet.

Probably a waste of money.

That doesn't address that the test is invalid, and is irrelevant anyway, as the news article is from a Canadian source where medicare isn't a thing.

remind me to never mention personal medical issues on this forum unless I want a diagnosis from a CivFanaticsForum-Certified Doctor

Seriously, Zelig, do you have a horse in this race?

 

[Murky]

I've heard it is a very nutritious grain, but it is rather expensive.

The recent upsurge in demand for quinoa has also contributed to environmental degradation in Bolivia and priced it beyond the means of the local population.

This is the thing that bothers me most about it. Quinoa could be grown here too and some places are starting grow it and other Wheat alternatives. I only eat it occasionally at the moment. It' too expensive to eat everyday.

 

[Zelig]

None whatsoever eh? Quoting your own source:

Yes, the your quote specifically says that there's no solid evidence of IgG-4 tests being of value.

remind me to never mention personal medical issues on this forum unless I want a diagnosis from a CivFanaticsForum-Certified Doctor

Seriously, Zelig, do you have a horse in this race?

I want to help people by exposing quackery, and have a keen personal interest in optimizing my own health. People who waste money on tests which aren't proven to be of any value could save their money and simply eat foods which are already proven to be healthier than what they're currently eating.

I would also discourage people from homeopathy, magnetic therapy or any diets not comprising a large proportion of vegetables. (Well, not the former two so much, they don't really need my help to be debunked any further.)

I used to work in statistics for clinical trials but they didn't pay enough.

 

[timtofly]

The test isn't covered by medicare because of the medical lobby not because it's invalid.

I know for fact I felt some of the worst cramps when exposed to Wheat. Now, that I avoid it I feel a lot better. One previous Dr. recommended that I keep a food journal to note how my body reacted to certain foods. My worst days were always after eating Wheat products, especially whole wheat cereal.

There's a good PDF on how food allergies work.
http://library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1102641275847-200/Patient+FAQs.pdf

This too.
http://library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1102641275847-201/FoodRxns--RMA_2.pdf

To answer the other question posed. I eat healthy foods, but it does cost a bit more.

Celiac sprue is not an allergy. It is an autoimmune disease in the small intestine. Antibodies start fighting and killing the lining of the walls. This keeps food from digesting properly and can cause intense stomach pain. The only cure is to stop putting gluten into your body.

It is genetic where the immune system is confused as to what it is fighting.

My wife has celiac sprue, but no wheat allergy. My son has the wheat allergy, but not celiac sprue. Although I have my doubts. They say that if they cannot find signs of it at a young age, it will not appear later in life. My wife suffered with it until she was almost 40 before they figured out to do an endoscopy of her small intestine. They even removed her gall bladder, probably for no reason.

It is a toss up if you want to give up gluten or do an endoscopy. Giving up gluten because you have to or because it makes you feel better? If the endoscopy shows you have it, at least you know what makes you sick all the time.