Heidi asks: “If gluten passes through into human breast milk (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9867098?dopt=Abstract), couldn't it also pass into cows milk? Any thoughts?
Reply: “Yes, I have been asking this question for a decade - but too scared to get the research done! Yes, gluten does get through breast milk. As do cow’s milk protein and all other food proteins.
And in cows? Yes, almost certainly the same goes for cow's milk. With the focus on high production, in NZ, cows are now routinely fed barley and wheat grain. There is gluten in their feed, and so, yes, some gluten proteins will get through into the milk/dairy food chain. So, yes, that will make gluten sensitive/ celiac people sick. Yes, we need to think about it. Yes, research is needed. Then there will be a big market for not-fed-gluten-grain-dairy-cows.
This is another reason why gluten sensitive people should avoid cow’s milk if they are still getting symptoms and/or their blood tests remain abnormal. This is a subtle cross-contamination of the food chain with gluten
Cheers, Dr Rodney Ford
PS – a comment on t eh web stated: “Gluten is from wheat/grain… why would it be added to any milk? Well, it is already in the milk via the cows being fed gluten grains.
see me at :Http://www.drrodneyford.com
