Dextrose is corn sugar, 21CFR184.1857, and can prove fatal to anyone with an IgE-mediated allergy to corn.

[Please refer to June 15, 2021, June 30, 2021, and July 3, 2021, critical updates at the end of this blog post.]

Dextrose (corn sugar manufactured from cornstarch/D-glucose) is an FDA-approved “food additive” that is generally recognized as safe (GRAS); therefore, dextrose cannot be naturally present in the human body or in any other food product.  It is ONLY derived from corn.

Glucose is blood sugar naturally present in all living organisms, and is essential for their survival.  D-glucose is a manufactured, food-derived sugar from cornstarch (dextrose).  Therefore, glucose (blood sugar) and D-glucose (corn sugar/dextrose) cannot be “biochemically identical.”  They may be mirror images of each other (enantiomers); however, like a glove, if you place your hands on top of each other, they are not identical.  Likewise, you cannot fit your right hand into a left-handed glove.  

If you reference “Dextrose” on the FDA’s Food Additive Status List, it refers to 21CFR184.1857.
https://www.fda.gov/food/food-additives-petitions/food-additive-status-list#ftnD

If you reference 21CFR184.1857, the definition is “Corn sugar.”
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=184.1857

"...called corn sugar...the name for the sweetener dextrose...used by people who have trouble tolerating regular sugar for 30 years, the FDA says."
https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2012/05/30/154009682/fda-rules-corn-syrup-cant-change-its-name-to-corn-sugar

The Corn Refiners Association correctly identifies corn-derived sweeteners with the requisite “D-“ modifier (DE for dextrose equivalent).  This critical modifier has been omitted from many published articles over many decades, which is the reason that corn-derived sweeteners are being erroneously equated with blood sugar (glucose). 

Nutritive Sweeteners From Corn, Corn Refiners Association, 2006
https://corn.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/NSFC2006.pdf

The Corn Products Refining Company declared dextrose to be corn sugar back in the 1940s.

“Dextrose: All-American Corn Sugar,” Candy Professor, September 29, 2010
https://candyprofessor.wordpress.com/2010/09/29/dextrose-all-american-corn-sugar/

"Corn must first be converted to corn sugar (dextrose, the common commercial name for D-glucose) . . ."
https://polymerinnovationblog.com/from-corn-to-poly-lactic-acid-pla-fermentation-in-action/

Dextrose is the chemical name for corn sugar manufactured from allergenic cornstarch; therefore, dextrose cannot be "naturally present" in mammals, fruits, honey, etc. 
". . . that corn sugar is what is chemically known as dextrose, . . ."
https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=umn.31951d03669822a&view=1up&seq=3

Dextrose (corn sugar/D-glucose)-containing IV solutions are contraindicated for administration to corn-allergic patients in the package insert.

Administering dextrose (corn sugar/D-glucose)-containing IV fluids to corn-allergic patients is a critical medical error equivalent to administering penicillin to a patient with an allergy to penicillin.

Dextrose (Corn Sugar/D-Glucose) IV Solutions Contraindicated for Corn-Allergic Patients
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2020/08/corn-sugar-dextrose-iv-fluids.html

Lactated Ringer’s in 5% Dextrose Contraindicated for Corn-Allergic Patients
[Includes guidelines for reporting clinicians who administer dextrose-containing IV fluids to corn-allergic patients in direct violation of the contraindication warning in the package insert.]
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2019/12/lactated-ringers-in-5-dextrose.html

“DEXTROSE or refined corn sugar . . . This is the form of dextrose used for intravenous injections and in various pharmaceutical and medicinal preparations.”
https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/pdf/10.2105/AJPH.29.2.135

Anaphylactoid reaction to 50% solution of dextrose
Czarny D, Prichard PJ, Fennessy M, Lewis S. Anaphylactoid reaction to 50% solution of dextrose. Med J Aust. 1980 Sep 6;2(5):255-8. doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1980.tb131845.x. PMID: 6159523
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.5694/j.1326-5377.1980.tb131845.x

Excipients in Anesthesia Medications
"Dextrose-containing solutions pose a significant risk to patients allergic to corn. Dextrose used for IV fluids is prepared by the simple hydrolysis of cornstarch."
Burbridge, Mark A. MD; Jaffe, Richard A. MD, PhD Excipients in Anesthesia Medications, Anesthesia & Analgesia: May 2019 - Volume 128 - Issue 5 - p 891-900 doi: 10.1213/ANE.0000000000003302
https://journals.lww.com/anesthesia-analgesia/Fulltext/2019/05000/Excipients_in_Anesthesia_Medications.11.aspx

Severe Hyponatremia and Seizure From Peripheral Infusion of Norepinephrine Diluted in Dextrose 5% in Water: A Case Report
Alibhai, Nafeesa*; Detsky, Michael MD, MSHP†,‡; Wunsch, Hannah MD, MSc§,∥; Teja, Bijan MD, MBA∥,¶ Severe Hyponatremia and Seizure From Peripheral Infusion of Norepinephrine Diluted in Dextrose 5% in Water: A Case Report, A & A Practice: May 2021 - Volume 15 - Issue 5 - p e01479 doi: 10.1213/XAA.0000000000001479
https://journals.lww.com/aacr/Abstract/2021/05000/Severe_Hyponatremia_and_Seizure_From_Peripheral.15.aspx

Probable anaphylactic reaction to corn-derived dextrose solution
Guharoy SR, Barajas M. Probable anaphylactic reaction to corn-derived dextrose solution. Vet Hum Toxicol. 1991 Dec;33(6):609-10. PMID: 1808842
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1808842/

Acute Hypotension After 50% Dextrose Injections
Saites, Victoria MD; Laudanski, Krzysztof MD, PhD Acute Hypotension After 50% Dextrose Injections, A & A Case Reports: May 15, 2016 - Volume 6 - Issue 10 - p 296-298 doi: 10.1213/XAA.0000000000000299
https://journals.lww.com/aacr/Abstract/2016/05150/Acute_Hypotension_After_50__Dextrose_Injections.3.aspx

The administration of dextrose during in-hospital cardiac arrest is associated with increased mortality and neurologic morbidity
Peng, T.J., Andersen, L.W., Saindon, B.Z. et al. The administration of dextrose during in-hospital cardiac arrest is associated with increased mortality and neurologic morbidity. Crit Care 19, 160 (2015).
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13054-015-0867-z

BCPharmacists, "Warning: corn-related allergens . . ."
http://library.bcpharmacists.org/6_Resources/6-7_ReadLinks/ReadLinks-MayJun2007.pdf

What are the sources that continue to propagate the false narrative of equating dextrose (corn sugar manufactured from allergenic cornstarch) with glucose (blood sugar naturally present in all living organisms that is necessary for their survival)?
 

Reminder:  Dextrose (corn sugar/D-glucose) is an FDA-approved “food additive” that is manufactured from allergenic cornstarch, 21CFR184.1857.  Dextrose is not naturally occurring, but is manufactured corn sugar.  Dextrose can never be “naturally present” in any other food product, and it can never be “naturally present” in mammals.  Dextrose (corn sugar manufactured from allergenic cornstarch/D-glucose) is NOT glucose (blood sugar naturally present in all living organisms that is essential for their survival).

American Heritage Dictionary
"The dextrorotatory form of glucose . . . naturally occurring form of glucose found in all organisms.  Also called dextroglucose."
https://www.ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q=dextrose

Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM), Ingredient Supplier
ADM is a "Member Company" of the Corn Refiners Association
My June 2, 2021 Email to ADM, sweeteners@adm.com, Re: Dextrose (Corn Sugar)
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2021/06/my-june-2-2021-email-to-adm-re-dextrose.html

BBI Healthcare
“Dextrose is a form of glucose found in naturally occurring foods such as corn, fruits, and honey.”
https://www.liftglucose.com/what-is-the-difference-between-glucose-dextrose/

My September 18, 2020, Email to BBI Healthcare Re: Glucose (blood sugar) vs. Dextrose (corn sugar)
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2020/09/my-september-18-2020-email-to-bbi.html

Cambridge Dictionary
"a form of glucose (= a type of sugar) that is found in fruits, honey, etc."
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/dextrose

Cargill, Ingredient Supplier
Cargill is a "Member Company" of the Corn Refiners Association
"Dextrose is a sugar occurring widely in nature – in honey and many fruits for example. As a constituent of cellulose, starch and glycogen, it is found in all plants and animals and is also known as ‘grape sugar’ or ‘blood sugar’."
https://www.cargill.com/food-bev/emea/sweeteners/c-dex-dextrose

Collins Dictionary
"Dextrose is a natural form of sugar that is found in fruits, honey, and in the blood of animals."
https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/dextrose

definition.org
"The dextrorotatory form of glucose, C6H12O6·H2O, found naturally in animal and plant tissue and derived synthetically from starch. Also called dextroglucose."
https://definition.org/define/dextrose/

Encylopedia Britannica
"Glucose, also called dextrose . . ." [Should state “D-glucose,” NOT “glucose.”]
https://www.britannica.com/science/glucose

FDA
Even though the FDA is clearly aware that dextrose is corn sugar manufactured from cornstarch/D-glucose pursuant to 21CFR184.1857, the FDA is erroneously equating HFCS (also manufactured from cornstarch) with blood sugar naturally present in all living organisms (glucose) in 21CFR182.1866.
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-1996-title21-vol3/html/CFR-1996-title21-vol3-sec182-1866.htm 

The FDA is implying that consuming HFCS is essential for our survival! / Quora Surveys

https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2021/06/the-fda-is-implying-that-consuming-hfcs.html

Greatist
"Dextrose is what’s dubbed a “simple sugar” and is made from corn (plus sometimes other veggies)." [emphasis added]
https://greatist.com/health/dextrose

Livestrong.com
"Although dextrose is derived from plants . . ." [only derived from corn]
https://www.livestrong.com/article/274155-what-is-dextrose-in-food/

Macmillan Dictionary
"a type of sugar that is found in fruit"
https://www.macmillandictionary.com/us/dictionary/american/dextrose

Medical News Today
“Dextrose is a sugar that comes from corn and sometimes other plants. [emphasis added]
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322243

Merriam-Webster
"technical : a kind of sugar found in fruits, plants, etc. : a form of glucose"
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dextrose#h1

NIH National Library of Medicine
After the NIH National Library of Medicine told me in an email that corn sugar and blood sugar are "one and the same," I filed the following petition against them for "willful negligence."

Glucose (blood sugar) must NEVER be equated with dextrose (corn sugar manufactured from cornstarch).
[This petition does NOT solicit donations.]
PETITION: Defund the NIH National Library of Medicine for Willful Negligence
https://www.change.org/p/united-states-department-of-health-human-services-defund-the-nih-national-library-of-medicine-for-willful-negligence

My August 29, 2020, Email to the National Library of Medicine Re: Depositor-Supplied Synonyms in PubChem Documents; e.g., Grape Sugar
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2020/08/august-29-2020-email-to-national.html

When I discovered conflicting molecular formulas between the FDA and the NIH National Library of Medicine, I wrote the following "Open Letter to the FDA."  This letter was distributed globally, and the following recipients have responded positively to my letter addressing the conflicting molecular formulas between these agencies..

My January 6, 2021, Open Letter to the FDA Re: Critical Difference Between Glucose (Blood Sugar) and D-Glucose (Corn Sugar/Dextrose)
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2021/01/my-january-6-2021-open-letter-to-fda-re.html

Allergy Strong, Washington, DC, @allergystrong

American Association of Surgical Physician Assistants (AASPA), @SurgeryPA

Arkansas Department of Human Services, Little Rock, AR, @ARHumanServices

Baptist Health, Northeast, FL, @BaptistHealthJx

Biology Online, @BiologyOnline2

Health New England, Springfield, MA, @HNEinc

Holy Redeemer Health, Meadowbrook, PA, @RedeemerHealth

Janice L. Pelletier, MD, FAAP, Orono/Penobscot, ME, @DrJanPeds

Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, @OhioStateMed

Primary Care Progress, Boston, MA, @PCareProgress

Regulatory Affairs Professional Society, Rockville, MD, @RAPSorg

Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM), Des Plaines, IL, @SAEMonline [Retweeted]

St. Michael's Elite Hospital, Sugar Land, TX, @StMichaelsER

Stanford MedicineX, Stanford, CA, @StanfordMedX

University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD. @UMESNews

University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, @pittpharmacy

University of Saint Joseph, West Hartford, CT, @USJCT

Salt of the Earth
"Is Dextrose Bad for You? What You Should Know"
[Their critical lack of knowledge regarding dextrose in this article endangers the lives of corn-allergic citizens.]
https://www.saltpgh.com/is-dextrose-bad-for-you/

Vocabulary.com
“. . . an isomer of glucose that is found in honey and sweet fruits.”
https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/dextrose

Wikipedia: 

If the reader references "dextrose" on Wikipedia, the reader is erroneously redirected to "glucose."  Glucose (blood sugar naturally present in all living organisms) must never be equated with dextrose (corn sugar manufactured from cornstarch/D-glucose).  Wikipedia has been notified of this critical error.

Included in my petition against the NIH National Library of Medicine. 

“Wikipedia should never be a source of reference for any official government publications; however, the National Library of Medicine often cites Wikipedia.

The NIH National Library of Medicine cites Wikipedia 9 times in one publication, alone:
Is it usual and customary for government agencies to cite Wikipedia in official government publications?”
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Inositol#section=Wikipedia

This practice is considered "circular referencing" if one or more parties control the narrative.   

Wikipedia warns against citing their articles.

"Wikipedia:Wikipedia is not a reliable source"

"Wikipedia is not a reliable source for citations elsewhere on Wikipedia. Because it can be edited by anyone at any time, any information it contains at a particular time could be vandalism, a work in progress, or just plain wrong. Biographies of living persons, subjects that happen to be in the news, and politically or culturally contentious topics are especially vulnerable to these issues. Edits on Wikipedia that are in error are usually fixed after some time. However, because Wikipedia is a volunteer-run project, it cannot constantly monitor every contribution. There are many errors that remain unnoticed for hours, days, weeks, months, or even years. Therefore, Wikipedia should not be considered a definitive source in and of itself."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Wikipedia_is_not_a_reliable_source#:~:text=Wikipedia%20can%20be%20edited%20by,progress%2C%20or%20just%20plain%20wrong.&text=Therefore%2C%20Wikipedia%20should%20not%20be,source%20in%20and%20of%20itself

Your Dictionary:
". . . the naturally occurring form of glucose found in all organisms."

"A right-handed form of glucose found in plants and animals and in human blood, and made by the hydrolysis of starch with acids or enzymes."
https://www.yourdictionary.com/dextrose#websters

What are the risks to corn-allergic patients of equating corn sugar manufactured from cornstarch (dextrose/D-glucose) with glucose (blood sugar naturally present in all living organisms)?

Even though dextrose (corn sugar/D-glucose)-containing IV solutions are clearly contraindicated for administration to corn-allergic patients in the package insert, too many clinicians claim that “No one can be allergic to dextrose, since it’s naturally present in our body.”  Corn-allergic patients should not be required to assume the responsibility of educating our clinicians to guarantee our safety.  

Since dextrose (corn sugar/D-glucose) is often the carbohydrate-of-choice utilized as a glucose (blood sugar)-elevating agent in some IV solutions, this is the reason these solutions are contraindicated for administration to corn-allergic patients in the package insert.

What are the risks to corn-allergic consumers of equating corn sugar manufactured from cornstarch (dextrose/D-glucose) with glucose (blood sugar naturally present in all living organisms)? 

Some food manufacturers/retailers are claiming their products are free from corn even though the product contains dextrose.  They are equating dextrose (corn sugar) with blood sugar naturally present in all living organisms (glucose).

Some food manufacturers/retailers are listing “glucose syrup” as an ingredient on their label, when the label should indicate “dextrose.” They are erroneously equating dextrose (corn sugar) with blood sugar naturally present in all living organisms (glucose).

Some food manufacturers/retailers are claiming that dextrose can be derived from sources other than corn; e.g., tapioca-derived dextrose, rice-derived dextrose, etc. [FALSE] The only source of dextrose is corn.

Confirmation that dextrose (corn sugar/D-glucose) is only derived from corn. Dextrin (usually derived from corn) may be derived from food products other than corn.
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2020/12/confirmation-that-dextrose-corn-sugard.html

Confirmation that dextrose equivalent (DE), corn sugar/D-glucose, is only derived from corn.
https://www.austradeinc.com/products/sweeteners/

Corn allergy studies/statistics:

Corn allergies are NOT rare.  Corn is exempt from FDA labeling requirements; therefore, corn allergy reactions are categorized as “idiopathic,” which leads to suppression of corn allergy statistics. 

May 2, 2021

Sesame Allergy Support Groups = 6.8K Members
Corn Allergy Support Groups = 14.7K Members

Imagine if this article read: "Sesame: It's Everything"

“Corn: It's Everything.” Iowa Corn
[Note: Pharmaceuticals]
https://www.iowacorn.org/education/corn-its-everything/

1st Quarter, 2021, Corn Allergy Statistics

In one corn allergy group of 11,161 members, the growth in membership represents a 1,016.1% increase in corn allergies in the last 93 months with an average of 109.2 new members/month.
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2017/04/corn-allergy-statistics-monthly.html

Published Corn Allergy Studies (“. . . Maize major allergen . . .”)
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2017/05/published-corn-allergy-studies.html

Summary

For the safety of corn-allergic citizens, the practice of equating corn-derived sweeteners with blood sugar naturally present in all living organisms (glucose) must cease immediately.

 

 

Diane H., Corn Allergy Advocate
Corn Allergy Advocacy/Resources
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/
Email:  cornallergyinitiative@gmail.com
Twitter:  @CornAllergy911

 

Additional Reference:

Corn Allergy References, Surveys, Studies, Statistics, & Petitions
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2018/04/corn-allergy-reference-links.html

 
June 15, 2021, Critical Update:

Emergency tweet to my global contacts:

The NIH, NLM, and NCBI are intentionally endangering the lives of corn-allergic citizens with their erroneous definition of dextrose in this PubChem document. Dextrose is corn sugar manufactured from allergenic cornstarch, 21CFR184.1857.
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Dextrose-monohydrate

June 30, 2021, Critical Update:

The FDA’s June 30, 2021, reply to my June 28, 2021, email requesting their contact telephone number to provide to our clinicians verifying that dextrose is corn sugar (NOT "naturally present" in humans)
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2021/06/the-fdas-june-30-2021-reply-to-my-june.html 

July 3, 2021, Critical Update:

As of December 21, 2020, this was the description for D-Glucose in this PubChem document: [screenshot taken]

"A primary source of energy for living organisms.  It is naturally occurring and is found in fruits and other parts of plants in its free state.  It is used therapeutically in fluid and nutrient replacement."
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/5793

As of July 3, 2021, this description for D-Glucose was removed, and has now been applied to L-Glucose. In addition, “corn sugar” was correctly added as a Depositor-Supplied Synonym for D-Glucose.
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/10954115

Blog Post Reference:

Dextrose is corn sugar, 21CFR184.1857, and can prove fatal to anyone with an IgE-mediated allergy to corn.
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2021/06/dextrose-is-corn-sugar-21cfr1841857-and.html