Blog | Rodney Ford

Skip to content
Skip to main navigation
Skip to 1st column
Skip to 2nd column

Home

Blog

Nutritional, Social & Emotional

2010.03.14 19:31:25

A mum asked this question about children being put on a gluten-free diet:
“How to meet the Nutritional, Social & Emotional needs of a child going on a gluten-free diet?"

My reply:

Yes it is absolutely crucial to meet the Nutritional, Social & Emotional needs of ALL children, including those who need a gluten-free diet. Unfortunately, many "normally eating" children are let down every day in these areas. The "Standard American Diet" (SAD) is not as nourishing as it should be – it is often full of carbohydrate, fructose syrup, and fat - but has inadequate levels of fruit and vegetables.

It is my experience that going on a gluten-free diet is usually a good experience for the family. Each food has to be thought about - for the first time all the food that is put on the menu has to be thought about. Cheap food is not necessarily good food.

Parents and children need help in moving onto a gluten-free diet. We have written books to help and in our clinic we are always working with these families to improve the quality of food and support the child in their gluten-free environment.

Again, it is our experience that the children are compliant on the gluten-free diet and it is only parties and picnic that are more challenging. For the child, it is easier if the whole family adopts a gluten-free diet.
Cheers, Dr Rodney Ford.

Tags: gluten free | nutritional | scoial | emotional

Thanks from Gastromom

2010.03.10 18:58:09

So many tweets and emails! But so little time! How can I best give you a comprehensive answer to your questions?

Problem solved! Yes, the concept behind the eClinic is to answer your questions very specifically, and individually. With the thousands of questions that I get, I have had to create a systematic way of helping – so I have created the eClinic.

GastroMom, in her tweet to me, says “thanks for your support – appreciated”. This is to do with the eClinic. My mission: “to help people overcome the allergy-specialist bottle-neck.” There is no waiting list for eClinic! It is available round-the-clock to help families work out if they have a food allergy/ intolerance. Especially, looking at Gluten Syndrome. We are building experience with the software – overcoming the glitches and getting excellent feedback. Cheers, Dr Rodney Ford.

Tags: eClinc | email questions | gluten syndrome

Guest of the Celiac Maniac

2010.03.07 20:27:49

Cain Credicott calls himself the Head Honcho, Celiac Maniac, GLuten-free On-line Radio. He interviewed me on his gluten-free radio show. Cain says: “I was very happy to speak with Dr. Rodney Ford. He has over 25 years of clinical experience as a pediatric gastroenterologist, nutrition consultant and allergist. He’s written numerous books on gluten sensitivity and published countless medical papers on the topic. We spoke with Dr. Ford about the importance of whole foods, gluten sensitivity being a brain and nervous system disease, blood tests in diagnosing gluten sensitivity and the potential for GF diets in prevention of autoimmune diseases. He also talked about his new initiative, the eClinic."

"Thank you for taking the time to talk with me today! I very much enjoyed talking with you and wished we had more time for the interview! I’ve already received some great feedback from people about today’s show and I would love to have you back on the show again in the future.”
Click on this link to listen to this CeliacManiac interview

Tags: gluten free | radio | Rodney Ford | eClinic

Dr M Maki agrees with Dr Rodney Ford

2010.03.07 04:30:49

Gluten intolerance in Finland has doubled says Dr Mäki. He is head of a research project in the Academy of Finland's Research Programme on Nutrition, Food and Health (ELVIRA).
He says that gluten intolerance may often be symptom-free, and people may be unaware that they have the condition if their symptoms are mild or atypical. Also, 3 out of 4 people with gluten intolerance have not yet been diagnosed.

Mäki's research team has concluded that the criteria for diagnosing gluten intolerance must be rewritten, since early stages of the condition do not meet the criteria, yet is important to treat.

The current criteria for diagnosis focus on damage to the intestinal villi and the small intestine, established in a tissue sample from the small intestine. However, early stages of gluten intolerance are not identifiable from tissue samples.

People may suffer from gluten intolerance, yet have no intestinal symptoms. They may, however, have symptoms unrelated to the intestinal tract. Serious problems with nutrient absorption have become rare; instead, sufferers generally have anaemia due to iron deficiency or folic acid deficiency as their main symptom. If researchers manage to develop sensitive, accurate antibody tests, it will become possible to identify people with early stages of gluten intolerance, who are in need of further treatment. At present, there is no single test to reliably identify early stages of gluten intolerance.

Yes, they have the gluten syndrome.

Tags: gluten intolerance | Dr Maki | treat early

If Dr Ford is right, it scares me

2010.02.21 21:32:22

Cheryl Wilson, is President of Southern Arizona Celiac Support. I was their keynote speaker in November last year: speaking on the Gluten Syndrome in Tuscon.

She writes: “Dr Ford, I thought you might enjoy reading our most recent newsletter … this one features some photos of you along with an article.”
Do have a look at this on their webpage: Dr. Ford’s lecture sets an attendance record. – and make a comment.

Darel Magee (a SACS member) said, "If Dr. Ford is right it scares me to think that the medical profession is still not listening. If they were, it would go a long way in making GF eating safer in so many ways, proper enforcement of food labelling laws for example".

Tags: gluten syndrome | celiac | Arizona

A virtual brain on the web: the eClinic

2010.02.15 07:12:17

Get virtual access to Dr Rodney Ford’s brain!
He has put his diagnostic thinking into the eClinic.

When you visit the eClinic, you basically get my medical opinion on-line, instead of face-to-face (studies show that the computer is accurate). Gluten? food allergy? celiac? intolerance? mystery illness? Please check it out. So far feedback has been excellent - and it works.
The plan for the year is to constantly improve the service. Cheers, Dr Rodney Ford.

Tags: virtual medical consultation | eClinic | gluten

eClinic on YouTube

2010.01.31 21:31:12

Check out this 45 second video clip. It explains for you how the eClinic works
The eClinic puts Dr Rodney Ford’s brain (that is his vast medical knowledge) about the diagnosis and treatment of food allergy, food intolerance, gluten sensitivity and celiac disease, on the web. If you think you could be affected and do not know what to do next - visit the eClinic (costs $30) for immediate individualized advice on diagnosis, tests and management. There are over 300 symptoms that have been attributed to The Gluten Syndrome! Cheers, Dr Rodney Ford.

Tags: eClinc | YouTube | 300 symptoms

eClinic going great

2010.01.24 08:51:24

The eClinic has been up and running for just a few days. Wow! Mostly we have had great enthusiasm and feedback. However, one person was a bit disappointed - she has read all my books, and was hoping for even more information. I have been in touch. I expect that she now understands that the eClinic is a diagnostic tool to get people started on that way to better health.

The eClinic has not yet been set up to help people who already have been diagnosed with celiac disease (this function will come soon).

Thank you again to all the fantastic people who have encouraged me to set up the eClinic. I am very keen to get more feedback so I can make the system even better. Cheers, Dr Rodney Ford.

Tags: succcess | world-wide help | eClinc

Dr Rodney Ford’s brain on the web

2010.01.18 08:08:16

After two years of work, we have done it! The eClinic is on the web!
There has been huge interest in this project – try it out and let me know your experience. The plan is to help millions of allergy suffers get precise advice about what to do with their symptoms and food reactions. I have put my brain on the web. Cheers, Dr Rodney Ford.

Tags: eClinic | Dr Rodney Ford | launch

eClinic launches 18 Jan 2010

2010.01.14 23:17:58

Yes! 4 weeks has passed since my last blog. Family, Christmas, Friends, Holiday, etc.
But - also I have been double-checking the eClinic engine. This took a lot longer than anticipated! But! Now we are ready to go.

5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1 - Zero– opening on 18 Jan 2010.

eClinic day is next week. Cheers Rodney Ford.

Tags: eClinic | Dr Rodney Ford | launch

Speaker of the Year 2009

2009.12.16 22:25:35

Dr Rodney Ford is recognised as “Speaker of the Year 2009” from NSANZ (Christchurch Chapter). This prestigious award was voted by the members of the Christchurch Chapter, National Speakers Association, NZ.

Hannah Samuel, National President says: “I’d like to personally congratulate and commend both the entrants and nominees, and the ultimate award winners. Awards of any kind are never easily won. By being named an award winner you set a wonderful example for fellow members and continue to raise the bar for professional speakers everywhere. Congratulations to all of you on your award(s) successes!”

I am honoured to be “Speaker of the Year 2009”. This was awarded to me because of my international speaking (recent USA speaking tour), the many books I have written, and the encouragement and mentoring given to my fellow members. Thank you. Cheers, Dr Rodney Ford.

Tags: Rodney Ford | Speaker of the Year | NSANZ

Rodney Ford to launch eClinic

2009.12.16 21:54:44

I am very excited. After 2 years of persistence and dedication, the eClinic is ready to go! Over the last few weeks we have been finalizing the eClinic software. It is now ready to launch. We are in countdown mode:
10 - 9 - 8 - 7 - 6 - 5 - 4 -

3 - Three - today

2 – Ignition! – us telling you about it – opening in a few days.
1 – Fire! – you experiencing the eClinic.
0 - ZERO – Lift-off! – you telling the world about it.

eClinic day is almost here! Cheers Rodney Ford.

Tags: eClinic | Dr Rodney Ford | launch

Rodney Ford: now gluten-free and dairy free.

2009.12.04 21:58:24

Did you know that I am gluten free? (have been for over a year now). Chris and I made the decision to go off gluten because we had put so many people on gluten-free diets. We began feeling guilty eating gluten!. Also, we both have the DQ2/8 gene – and so I began to wonder about the likelihood of developing autoimmune disease in the future.
It is great being gluten-free. And I can help my patients so much better – I have a full understanding of what it means to be gluten-free.

And there is more! I have now gone dairy free as well – again to experience this diet – again I have so many of patient going dairy free. It is not so hard! Now been a week of gluten/dairy free. Do what I do, not what I say. All good. Cheers, Dr Rodney Ford.

Tags: gluten free | dairy free | Rodney Ford

Comments 2 | Read more...

Healthier without wheat - YouTube

2009.12.02 00:58:25

“Healthier without Wheat” is the title of Dr Steve Wangen’s new book. It is all about how wheat/gluten is making a lot of people unwell, how to diagnose it and what you can do about it.
See a 45 second YouTube of Dr Stephen Wangen describing this book to Dr Rodney Ford. We both write about the harm of gluten - one in ten are affected – they have the gluten syndrome. Cheers, Dr Rodney Ford.

Tags: Wangen | wheat | gluten | book | YouTube

Naturally stubborn

2009.11.29 19:01:25

People who have suffered for years from gluten sensitivity often feel annoyed/ frustrated that the medical profession was not very helpful in the diagnosis of their problem. Worse, their medical practitioner may remain skeptical of the harmful effects of gluten (despite the mounting scientific evidence).

Such reluctance to adopt new thinking is human nature. This concept was encapsulated by Max Planck, German physicist (1858–1947) who, in frustration about the lack of acceptance of his revolutionary quantum theory of radiation, wrote:
“A new scientific truth does not triumph by convincing its opponents and making them see the light, but rather because its opponents eventually die, and a new generation grows up that is familiar with it.”

Our task is to gently help the health profession understand about the gluten syndrome. It will take time. It will happen. Cheers Dr Rodney Ford.

Tags: stubborn | Max Planck

TV gets gluten testing wrong

2009.11.24 06:35:36

A local TV program (Campbell Live, TV3, NZ) did a segment on gluten-free diets. Good that they were talking about gluten. Bad that they got is SO WRONG! Too simplistic.

The allergy specialist (Dr Vincent Crump) believes that his allergy testing is 100% accurate – this is not true. He claims that if you have negative skin tests (to exclude wheat allergy) and negative celiac disease blood test (to exclude celiac disease), that you definitely cannot be reactive to gluten. This is not true

It is very disappointing that there is little understanding about the blood test for gluten intolerance/ sensitivity. This is despite a HUGE medical literature (Dr. Mario Hadjivassiliou) in gluten sensitivity that was totally ignored by the participants in this story.

If you do not so the right test, you will get the wrong answers!

Cheers, Dr Rodney Ford. Paediatric Gastroenterologist & Allergist.

Tags: Gluten tests | TV

Zero gluten? What threshold?

2009.11.22 20:55:07

Lots of people are discussing the threshold of “allowable” gluten, in “certified” gluten-free products. Most gluten-free people want zero gluten in their foods. They want safe food. But it is not that straightforward when talking about processed and manufactured foods.

Any food being processed in a factory that uses ingredients derived from gluten-grains (wheat, rye & barley), will have traces of gluten in the finished product. It is likely that the FDA will end up setting the limit of 20ppm gluten threshold to deem a food gluten-free. This is practical, as making more stringent demands on manufacturers would increase the price, and also limit the products that might be available.

But many people demand undetectable gluten in their food - they want zero gluten. Some people are extremely reactive to gluten and even at these very low levels will get ill. Crumbs of gluten do matter. This means mostly avoiding packet foods (which is a healthy thing to do).

The gluten-free movement continues to grow: there will be ongoing demand for gluten-free products. Aim for zero. Small amounts of gluten can be harmful.

Tags: threshold | zero gluten

Gluten sensitivity at NASPGHAN

2009.11.14 17:06:39

I am in Washington, DC, at the NASPGHAN conference: the annual pediatric gastroenterology scientific meeting. My paper “Which Serological Tests Best Identify Gluten Reactions?” was well received. Lots of delegates were agreeing that they also saw many children who were reactive to gluten (gluten syndrome) but who did not have celiac disease. This is what I have been saying for years.

In support of this gluten sensitivity concept, Prof Alessio Fasano and associates have another two papers on gluten sensitivity:

“Gluten Sensitivity is associated to activation of the Innate but not Th1/Th17 Immune Response to Gluten Exposure”: they conclude that people with gluten sensitivity lack the specific adaptive immune response involvement which prevents them getting the autoimmune gut insult typical of celiac disease. (Put simply, gluten sensitivity people do not get the celiac gut damage, because it is due to another immune mechanisms).
“Schizophrenic patients present with increased prevalence of gluten sensitivity and celiac disease”. They conclude that some Schizophrenic patients are gluten sensitive. They estimate that 1 out of 5 schizophrenic patients could potentially benefit from a gluten-free diet.

(See this NASPGHAN link to all of the abstracts)

These papers confirm that gluten sensitivity is a real and serious clinical problem: the gluten syndrome. Cheers, Dr Rodney Ford.

Tags: NASPGHAN abstracts | Gluten sensitivity | Fasano

Gluten-free in USA

2009.11.03 14:44:45

Gluten-free eating in the USA is tricky. In NZ (my home country), most cafes and restaurants have a gluten-free option – but not here in USA. Many of the servers and host have not yet heard about gluten.

I presented information at the CSA (Celiac Sprue Association) in Erie, PA. Got a wonderfully warm reception – gave my 3 main points:

Treat gluten symptoms - not gut tissue damage.
Gluten illness is much more than celiac disease
Celiac blood tests do not identify gluten sensitivity.

The audience appreciated hearing the science behind gluten sensitivity. Dr Peter Green also spoke about the gluten sensitivity issue and showed pictures of micro-villi gut damage in gluten sensitivity (as opposed to celiac disease). The word is spreading that gluten affects about one in ten people.

Tags: Peter Green | gluten sensitive | USA

Comments 2 | Read more...

Gluten revolution

2009.10.25 02:11:51

Wow! Just met the most wonderful bunch of people at the conference: “Gluten Sensitivity & Celiac Forum, 2009”. Sponsored by HealthNOW. Thanks for your kind words. Drs Rick and Vikki Petersen are the most amazing doctors who are passionate about getting people healthy. Like me, they have recognized gluten to be the major player in the food intolerance problem. They see struggling people, with unhealthy guts, eating the wrong food.

I was privileged to speak at this symposium. My challenge to the participants is to tell just one more person about the potential harm of gluten. I will put some of my presentation on this site. Also will be answering your questions in more detail. Let’s get the Gluten Revolution started. Cheers, Dr Rodney Ford.

Tags: Rick Petersen | Vikki Petersen | HealthNOW | Gluten revolution

Page 1 of 4
<< Start < Prev 1 2 3 4 Next > End >>

Connect with Dr Rodney Ford

Login Form

Register for NewsLetter

Shopping Cart

Your Cart is currently empty.