Healthy by Nature radio show this week: We talk with nurse/author Sally Pacholok about the billions of dollars wasted from failing to properly diagnose a common cause of mental illness, cognitive decline, disability, vascular clots and premature death. Then John Young, MD talks about his Young Health plan to help folks restore their bodies and improve performance by building strong cells. Call the live show with questions at 1-800-281-8255. Click here to find podcasts, show archives and how to listen nationwide.

Gluten Grief
The topic of under-active thyroid came up on the show last week. (As promised, several thyroid resources are included in the “Last Week” section below.) Nutritionist Tim Mount mentioned that gluten in the diet is a significant cause of thyroid trouble. Because gluten is also a problem in so many other ways, I decided to review it briefly now rather than wait until our show on the subject scheduled for October 19.

Gluten is a sticky elastic protein found in certain common grains. Wheat, barley and rye have the most worrisome amount and type and are major components of the Standard American Diet (or SAD as nutritionists call it). Yes, bread is mentioned in the bible and called the “staff of life”. However, hunter/gatherer ancestors did without farmed grains and we have the same chemistry that they did. Besides, especially wheat is now a much different food than it was in biblical days. For one thing, as noted in the book Wheat Belly, selective breeding has greatly increased the amount of gluten in it. Moreover, our dependence on wheat-based foods and ingredients has skyrocketed. The excess exposure has apparently created challenges to our health that many (if not most) people cannot handle well. Note that the Gluten & Allergen Free Expo will be in Plano, TX October 26 and 27.  (I will be giving a lecture there.)

These grain-based foods are convenient and we like them…often a LOT. Unfortunately, that is about where the list of positives stops. Oh sure, the big manufacturers of grain products and their apologists will point to the nutrient content of grains, but there is more to even that story. The reasons to avoid gluten below (and more next week) are not necessarily in priority order. For an individual, any of them might be the key to improving health.

1. Wheat is one of the top 8 most common allergens. Beyond the easily observable allergic reactions (e.g. a person breaks out in hives right after eating it), many people are sensitive to wheat in other ways and may not make the connection. It is quite likely that at least 15% of the public is frankly intolerant of gluten. I am one of those but most of them have not been tested.  Often folks who have digestive problems, those with ADD/ADHD and even autism, do much better by avoiding grains. The reaction may be a headache, osteoporosis, mood changes or persistent skin rash and, making it even harder to connect the dots, the reaction to wheat (or other allergen) may be delayed for a day or even two from the time it is eaten.

2. Perhaps as many as 1 in 131 persons have a very severe reaction to gluten called “celiac disease” that nearly destroys their intestinal tract and their ability to absorb nutrients. Celiac can lead to migraines, brain fog, rashes, bone fracture and undoubtedly a shorter more miserable life. It now appears that celiac sufferers are also at greater risk for lymphoma.

3. Mass-produced grains are stored in silos where molds grow and produce poisons called mycotoxins. Mycotoxins can create health conditions ranging from boggy brain and joint pain to depression, heart disease and even cancer.

4. Grains are a source of starches that feed pathogenic yeasts such as “Candida” in our bodies. Being a type of fungus, yeasts create mycotoxins inside us which may cause the health problems noted in #3 above. Strong evidence also links them to “leaky gut” and auto-immune diseases such as lupus.

5. No research has been done to see what the health effects are of the ever larger amounts and changed types of gluten.  

Next week reasons 6-12 and what about the supposed benefits?

Last Week
LINK to the archives. Kristi Yamaguchi won every trophy that figure skating has to offer (including Olympic Gold) and won Dancing with the Stars. Kristi offered ideas for helping our children be more successful. (She wrote Dream Big, Little Pig and It’s a Big World, Little Pig. This is the photo contest she referenced. We also talked about supplements to avoid and to support athletic endeavors as well as enjoyed open lines with a terrific nutritionist and friend of the show, Tim Mount of Neocell. Call topics included under-active thyroid, guggle, Apex products and collagen for recovery (also comes in chocolate and larger sizes). (Thyroid resources = quiz, website, organization and book.) A call on poison oak brought up Aloe vera, clay and calendula. Afterthought on the poison oak issue: it is good to make sure that not only contaminated clothes are washed, but also door knobs, tennis shoes, the dog, etc….anything that might have been touched after touching the plant.

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My first book : Natural Alternatives to Nexium, Maalox, Tagamet, Prilosec & Other Acid Blockers. Subtitle: What to Use to Relieve Acid Reflux, Heartburn, and Gastric Ailments.

My latest book: Aloe Vera-Modern Science Sheds Light on an Ancient Herbal Remedy

The information contained in this newsletter has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The contents are for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice.

Copyright 2013 Martie Whittekin, CCN