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I got permission from the editor of a magazine directed to health food
stores, "Natural Foods Merchandiser", to post this article from their
February, 2004 issue:

"Introducting grains early in infants' diets may increase their risk of
developing insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in childhood, according to
two studies in JAMA (2003;290:1713-28).  These findings suggest that
infants who consume grain products before three months are most at risk of
having pancreas damage and becoming diabetic.

In the first new study, 1,183 children at increased risk of developing IDDM
were followed for an average of four year.  Information on the infant's
diet was collected, including the dates foods were introduced, frequency of
exposure and the types of foods consumed.

Infants exposed to any grains before four months or after six months had a
higher risk of developing antibodies to the pancreas, compared with
children who were introduced to grains between four and six months.  This
suggest that there may be an optimal window to introduce grain products
without increasing IDDM risk.  Several studies have found an association
between IDDM and early consumption of gluten, a protein found primarily in
wheat, oats, rye and barley.  As a result, some physicians have recommended
rice-based cereals instead.  However, no significant difference was
observed between gluten and rice grain products, suggesting that
introducing any grains outside of the two-month window may increase IDDM
risk.

In the second new study, 1,610 children born of IDDM parents were followed
for up to 11 years.  Tests to evaluate gluten sensitivity were performed,
since some studies suggest an association between IDDM and gluten
sensitivity (celiac disease).

Antibody production against cells in the pancreas was significantly
increased in children who were fed gluten-containing foods in their first
three months of life.  However, no significant rise in antibodies against
the pancreas occurred when children recieved gluten after six months.

Although the timing of introducing grains into an infant's diet continues
to be debated, both new studies showed that feeding grains to a child under
the age of three months may increase the risk of IDDM.  No increase in risk
was observed in children who wee breast-fed or formula fed, suggesting
these may be the best food early in life.

Darin Ingels, N.D. author of the Natural Pharmacist:  Lowering Cholesterol
and Natural Treatments for High Cholesterol."

Betty
Fort Worth, TX

*Please provide references to back up claims of a product being GF or not GF*