Gluten Free / Corn Free Multivitamins?

[Esch]

I've had Celiac for the past 15 years now (diagnosed for 9), and just a couple weeks ago I was diagnosed with having a corn intolerance. (sigh)  It's been very difficult replacing things I've been consuming, and the one thing I'm having the hardest problem replacing is multivitamins. It seems that every pill out there has corn in it. Does anyone have any recommendations for gluten-free/CF multivitamins by chance? Any help is appreciated, thank you!

 

E

[millerb68]

I use Deva Vegan products: http://www.devanutrition.com/multivitamin.html. It doesn't specifically say it doesn't have corn, but I don't see that it does, but you'd probably have to call them. 

 

You can also check Country Life brand (http://www.country-life.com/)

[Esch]

I use Deva Vegan products: http://www.devanutrition.com/multivitamin.html. It doesn't specifically say it doesn't have corn, but I don't see that it does, but you'd probably have to call them. 

 

You can also check Country Life brand (http://www.country-life.com/)

 

Unfortunately that first one does have corn. Anytime you see "Cellulose" in the ingredients, that can be a derivative of corn. I looked at a couple on the second link and they have maltodextrin in them (as well as cellulose), and that is also a derivative of corn. Also looked at a couple others on that 2nd link and they have Fructose and Soribol, which are also from corn.

 

It's in everything. :/

[bartfull]

Maltodextrin is safe because the protein (the part we react to) has been processed out of it. But the main problem with vitamins is that almost ALL vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is derived from corn. They could get it from citrus fruit but it would be more expensive so they usually use corn.

 

So, do you live near a Shopko? They carry a line called "Shopko Naturals" which contain NOTHING bad - no gluten, corn, soy, dairy, yeast, sugar, artificail colorings or flavorings. They don't have a multi, but you can buy vitamins and minerals seperately. I know that sounds expensive but they range between $3.99 and $7.99 and they quite often have buy one get one specials. Last time I bought some I think it cost me $24 for about 6 months worth.

[Esch]

Maltodextrin is safe because the protein (the part we react to) has been processed out of it. But the main problem with vitamins is that almost ALL vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is derived from corn. They could get it from citrus fruit but it would be more expensive so they usually use corn.

 

So, do you live near a Shopko? They carry a line called "Shopko Naturals" which contain NOTHING bad - no gluten, corn, soy, dairy, yeast, sugar, artificail colorings or flavorings. They don't have a multi, but you can buy vitamins and minerals seperately. I know that sounds expensive but they range between $3.99 and $7.99 and they quite often have buy one get one specials. Last time I bought some I think it cost me $24 for about 6 months worth.

 

Unfortunately I've never heard of that store before. I live in the midwest in the USA. I tried looking up that brand on Amazon but they don't sell it there.

 

As far as the maltodextrin goes, the list I received from a dietician had it listed, so wonder why it's on there if it's really safe. (it wasn't even listed as a "in some cases it could have it" sort of thing.)

 

:/

[bartfull]

When I first became intolerant to corn I avoided it completely. But I now eat corn starch and maltodextrin because neither has the corn protein in them. Even baking powder has corn starch in it. I eat it with no problems.

 

I can't drink out of those clear plastic bottles that water and soda come in though, because some of them are now made with corn protein instead of BPA's. Same thing for canned food. They are replacing the old plastic lining with the corn-based plastic.

 

If you buy a bagged salad in the grocery store be aware that they wash the stuff in a "veggie wash" that contains citrus from corn. If you Google "corn allergen" you will see several websites that list other things to avoid but remember, an allergy is not the same as an intolerance.Some things that would kill a person with an allergy will only make us sick, and some of them won't make us sick at all. I'm not saying you don't react to other parts of corn and not just the protein, but as a celiac, it is most LIKELY that the protein is what bothers you.

 

Some weekend when you have nothing planned you might try something with maltodextrin. A lot of low calorie or sugar-free ice creams use it. If that doesn't make you sick, try something with corn starch. If neither makes you sick it will GREATLY expand your diet. Just think - you can make GRAVY! You can take pills (most use corn starch as a filler). I was getting my Tylenol made at a compounding pharmacy and it was 20 times more expensive than from the store. Now I buy the stuff at Family Dollar and life is so much easier and less expensive too!

[Esch]

Yeah mine is purely an intolerance that triggers IBS, so for me if I eat anything with it I get the bloating and all the other fun IBS related symptoms. I've been 100% corn free for just over a month now and feel a lot better, so obviously I'm apprehensive trying out anything despite knowing I need to do it to narrow things down a bit. I figured as an absolute last resort if I couldn't find any multivitamins I could take, I would take my old ones again figuring that that tiny minute amount of corn wasn't going to hurt me as long as I didn't ingest it in any other form.

 

Thanks for the tip about the plastic bottles and can liners, that's just insane. I stopped drinking soda a while ago before this cropped up, but the fact that HFCS, fructose, aspertame and caramel coloring were in it they would have been no goes anyway due to those being from corn as well.

 

So really what I need to determine is exactly what derivatives of corn have the gluten protein in it and what do not, and start experimenting. I assume if I try something like maltodextrin or corn starch and I have a problem with it, then I'm a little more severe on the sensitivity side of things and just need to keep avoiding it all together, right?

[bartfull]

Yes, but after you've been away from those things for a few months you might get them back. Corn intolerance is like gluten intolerance in that everybody is different. Maybe give it a few more months and then try.

 

The multi-vitamin thing is going to be the problem though. Not because of the corn starch so much as the blasted ascorbic acid in the vitamin C. I was looking for vitamins for a long time before I found these Shopko ones, and I tried one from the health food store that didn't SAY ascorbic acid from corn, but I honestly thought I was going to die from it. Not only did I have screaming D, but when it was finally over my body temperature dropped and I couldn't get warm no matter how many comforters I piled on me. Then I started having involutary muscle contractions. I was too weak to crawl out of bed and dial 911.

 

There are a lot of folks here who are in the same boat we are. Sometimes I think I should take orders from all of you and mail these vitamins to you! They have made a world of difference for me. I actually have energy again and am feeling good for the first time in years.

[1desperateladysaved]

I had an extremely difficult time finding a multi-vitamin with no corn and gluten along with my other intolerances.  I am currently using Ultra Nutrients marketed online from a company based in Sweetwater, Texas and it is working for me! 

[Esch]

Thanks everyone! I'll look into this whole "does it have corn gluten in it" thing and go from there and get back to you.

[Melanie McG]

Just stumbled across this post in hopes of finding some corn free multivitamins (severe allergy) and was wondering if you all found any supplements that worked for you? Unfortunately, I need gluten-free, soy free, corn free, dairy free, egg free, etc. 

Edited July 24, 2018 by Melanie McG

[Camy2020]

On 7/24/2018 at 1:05 PM, Melanie McG said:

Just stumbled across this post in hopes of finding some corn free multivitamins (severe allergy) and was wondering if you all found any supplements that worked for you? Unfortunately, I need gluten-free, soy free, corn free, dairy free, egg free, etc. 

I’m still looking, as well. I also need dairy free, soy free, gluten free, egg free, etc.

Has anyone had any luck finding a good multivitamin or brand for single vitamins?