The Buzz on Gluten

The Argument Against Cereal Grains

*Click title for the article*

For those who want to know what the heck gluten is , where you find it, what it does and why it's bad for you, I hope this helps to clear up any questions you might have so the next time you hear someone say "I'm gluten intolerant," you'll understand why they are and why they choose to eat that way.

Some people who are gluten free may have or are trying to rid themselves of:

Thyroid problems, malnutrition, chronic fatique, osteoporosis, an auto immune disease, chronic inflammation, weight loss, headaches, migraines, arthritis, brain fog, leaky gut syndrome, autism, skin problems, iron deficiency

Below is a summary of an article from this website. The article is kind of lengthy and may be a little confusing to those who are new to the gluten subject so I'm going to highlight on the main points to make it easy. Feel free to read the entire article though to see if it's legit.

Thoughts and opinions are always welcomed!

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-"Cereal grains are seeds of monocot grasses that have been artificially selected by humans to serve as food. The ones that cause the most trouble, and constitute the biggest part of European and North American diets, are the gluten grains Wheat, Barley and Rye."

-Gluten is a protein composite that appears in cereal grains and related species such as wheat, barley and rye.

-Lectins are a protein compound also found in grains which are very hard for the body to digest and can damage ones digestive system (ever feel gassy after eating beans, raw broccoli, or bread? Lectins are a huge part of that. Your body CAN'T break it down elegantly!). "Gluten grains are grass seeds that are employing a biologic strategy to avoid consumption, including elaborating the heat stable lectin WGA, which is known to damage the human gut"

-The reason for gluten and lectin molecules in the grain is for self preservation. it is the grains defense mechanism from consumption. Nuts have shells, certain foods have poisons or thorns, and grains have gluten and lectins which make it hard for animals to digest and therefore is toxic for them to varying degrees. Some animals have adapted to eating them...birds for example.
Humans? No...not yet at least.

Here's why:

-1% of the population has full blow Celiacs Disease (Complete gluten intolerance). 30% of the population has the genetic HLA haplotype that is susceptible to celiac disease

-People with celiac have a much higher chance of any type of autoimmune disease than anyone else, and Visa Versa...People with autoimmune diseases are more likely to have Celiacs. "Conversely, celiac patients have increased cancer, osteoporosis, and autoimmune diseases like DM I (myotonic dystrophy), autoimmune thyroid disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Sjogren disease, Rheumatoid arthritis, neuropathies, and even neurological disorders like schizophrenia."

- " there are a variety of other antinutrients in cereal grains, including phytates that bind essential minerals, and enzyme inhibitors that inhibit digestion."

-the oils found in grain containing gluten will throw off your Omega 3 and omega 6 ratio. If this 1:1 ratio (this 1:1 ratio is KEY for optimal health an to avoid inflammation, oxidation in the body and autoimmunity) is thrown off your immune function will tank! Big time!

-"Cereal grains and legumes have antinutrients with clinically significant effects, and the evidence that these are an evolutionarily recent food source (grains haven't been our staple food in our history) supports our observation that we are poorly adapted to them".

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Does this clear up any confusion?