Yogurt, Any One?

[RiceGuy]

It's not the carrier. It's the cobalt. I can't take any form of supplement containing cobalt. In addition to vitamin B12 supplements, I also have to avoid prolonged contact with:

jewelry

snaps, zippers, buttons and buckles

tools, utensils and instruments

machinery parts

hair dyes & cosmetics

pigments in pottery, glass and crayons

joint replacements and dental appliances

shell splinters

cement, paint and resins

printing inks

tattoos

welding rods

electroplating

animal feed

tires

That's in addition to the long lists for nickel and chromium.

I'm surprised and frustrated by being questioned on this. Allergies to minerals and metals is no different that being allergic/intolerant/sensitive to a food. Do you question others who are avoiding minute amounts of food allergens? Is it really implausible to think that too much of these allergens in my system may cause health issues?

Michelle

PS: Sorry, Ronnie, that this thread got hijacked. It wasn't my intention. I was just interested in finding a yogurt that was both gluten and supplement free!

OK. It's obvious that you've done well in figuring out your sensitivities to such things. That is what I (and I think tarnalberry) where simply trying to verify. Sorry if our zealous wish to assist seemed like undue mistrust in your research. I guess it's because many folks seem to make mistakes regarding their health, and like the rest of the caring members here, we didn't want to see you having added difficulties. I extend to you my sincere apologies.

[Michi8]

OK. It's obvious that you've done well in figuring out your sensitivities to such things. That is what I (and I think tarnalberry) where simply trying to verify. Sorry if our zealous wish to assist seemed like undue mistrust in your research. I guess it's because many folks seem to make mistakes regarding their health, and like the rest of the caring members here, we didn't want to see you having added difficulties. I extend to you my sincere apologies.

It has definitely been an eye-opening experience with regards to sorting out my health issues. Heck, I did the patch test to confirm if I had a latex allergy...latex (and related manufacturing chemicals) came back negative, but I got an strong positive on this other stuff. So one more piece of the puzzle falls into place.

If anything, my attempt at going gluten free is probably adding more difficulties than I need, but, in the absence of positive test results (including an incorrectly done DH biopsy) it seems like trying it can't hurt.

Michelle

[tarnalberry]

I'm surprised and frustrated by being questioned on this.

That is what I (and I think tarnalberry) where simply trying to verify.

Just to clarify, I wasn't questioning the existence of the the trace allergies. I just don't fully understand how they work and am truely interested. After your post, it sounds like it truely is a 'level of tolerance' issue, but the level is very, very, VERY low (basically, nothing above what it necessary for basic metabolism). I'm still curious about the pharmokinetics, but that's just me.

I've known people with skin allergies (my MIL has a nickel allergy, and hence can't wear gold below a certain purity, for example) to metals, and it's a fascinating thing, especially when you traditionally hear/think about allergies as being reactions to proteins.

[Michi8]

Just to clarify, I wasn't questioning the existence of the the trace allergies. I just don't fully understand how they work and am truely interested. After your post, it sounds like it truely is a 'level of tolerance' issue, but the level is very, very, VERY low (basically, nothing above what it necessary for basic metabolism). I'm still curious about the pharmokinetics, but that's just me.

I've known people with skin allergies (my MIL has a nickel allergy, and hence can't wear gold below a certain purity, for example) to metals, and it's a fascinating thing, especially when you traditionally hear/think about allergies as being reactions to proteins.

Yes, it is different in that it isn't a protein reaction...is it really an "allergy" as such, or a different type of immune response? It makes me wonder, too, if reactions to foods can also come about from trace minerals, metals, chemicals in our foods rather than an actual response to proteins...could this be why some people react to certain foods, but test negative for allergy on scratch tests?

In addition to my skin allergies, I have OAS (Oral Allergy Syndrome...which is a misnomer since the reaction is not limited to the mouth) related to my severe allergy to birch tree pollen. I have just discovered that the list of possible allergy foods is much longer than listed by my allergist...and includes wheat (whole wheat is also a suspect food for nickel allergy.) So, even if I am not celiac or gluten intolerant, I may still have issues with certain grains based on my known allergies...and will probably benefit from a gluten free diet.

Michelle

[plantime]

Michelle, thank you for answering! I do not disbelieve you, I just am curious to know more. I react to different metals in jewelry, and cannot have surgical staples, so I fully believe that you have bad reactions to trace metals. I shudder to think of what it does to your insides, when it breaks out your skin so bad!

[Felidae]

Okay, it may cost a little more but I eat Olympic organic yogurts and sour cream (from BC). I don't know about the B12 content, but they are very good at answering e-mail questions.

[Michi8]

Just got a reply back from Astro (a Parmalat brand.) They said that the only yogurt product they can declare gluten free is Jeunesse. At this time they are still awaiting confirmation from their suppliers so they can make a declaration about other Astro yogurts.

Also, any vitamin B12 in their products is naturally occuring, rather than an added supplement...so that's good news...I know I can safely have Astro Jeunesse yogurt. I'll have to contact other yogurt manufacturers to confirm whether B12 listed in the Nutrition Facts is naturally occuring or not.

Michelle