
It was hard for me to believe it. It took a dear client insisting for me to go back and check it out. Afterall, I'd been reading about gluten and gluten free grains for over ten years now. There was always controversy around oats. On some people's gluten list there it stood, right along wheat, rye, barley.. but on other lists it was left out. Being a gluten sensitive person myself, I did the time tested elimination diet to test it. I found that if I ate oats every so often I would be symptom free, but a few times in one week, and my elbows would start to itch.
Going back to look this up felt a little like going to confirm that carrots are in fact full of beta-carotene. Do we really need to go back over this one?
Clearly, yes.
So it turns out that oats are so often contaminated with gluten because they are processed on machines that are also used to process glutenous grains like wheat. Some have gotten wise to this and we who care can now buy at our local food store, gluten free oats. It feels a bit like a miracle.
Here's what wikipedia has to say on the topic:
Coeliac disease, or celiac disease, from Greek "koiliakos", meaning "bowel-related", is a disease often associated with ingestion of wheat, or more specifically a group of proteins labelled prolamines, or more commonly, gluten. Oats lack many of the prolamines found in wheat; however, oats do contain avenin.[6] Avenin is a prolamine that is toxic to the intestinal submucosa and can trigger a reaction in some celiacs.[7]
Further information: Avenin-sensitive enteropathy
Although oats do contain avenin, there are several studies suggesting that oats can be a part of a gluten-free diet if it is pure. The first such study was published in 1995.[8] A follow-up study indicated that it is safe to use oats even in a longer period.[9]
Additionally, oats are frequently processed near wheat, barley and other grains, such that they become contaminated with other glutens. Because of this, the FAO's Codex Alimentarius Commission officially lists them as a crop containing gluten. Oats from Ireland and Scotland, where less wheat is grown, are less likely to be contaminated in this way.[citation needed]
Oats are part of a gluten-free diet in, for example, Finland and Sweden. In both of these countries there are "pure oat" products on the market.
To you who insisted, I thank you. To those who have gone without - indulge!
Oats - steel cut and rolled, are high in magnesium, iron, protein and goodness.
Can you think of a more satisfying breakfast on these coldest of winter mornings?
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