Comments on: The Deception and Danger of Grain Based Foods http://naturalbias.com/the-deception-and-danger-of-grain-based-foods/ A better life through natural health, fitness, and personal development. Fri, 12 Mar 2010 01:22:19 +0000 hourly 1 By: Vin Miller http://naturalbias.com/the-deception-and-danger-of-grain-based-foods/#comment-7121 Vin Miller Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:27:21 +0000 http://naturalbias.com/?p=5492#comment-7121 Hi Greta, thanks for sharing your experience! It's great to hear that you've made such a dramatic improvement. I too wonder if I have celiac, but knowing how negatively gluten affects me, I don't really care and certainly don't need any further convincing to avoid it. I share your feeling that it's not worth it to start eating gluten again just to be tested. Besides, it would still be possible for the test result to be inaccurate. Hi Greta, thanks for sharing your experience! It’s great to hear that you’ve made such a dramatic improvement.

I too wonder if I have celiac, but knowing how negatively gluten affects me, I don’t really care and certainly don’t need any further convincing to avoid it. I share your feeling that it’s not worth it to start eating gluten again just to be tested. Besides, it would still be possible for the test result to be inaccurate.

]]> By: greta http://naturalbias.com/the-deception-and-danger-of-grain-based-foods/#comment-6985 greta Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:48:41 +0000 http://naturalbias.com/?p=5492#comment-6985 FOR YEARS I suffered from severe, red and painful "acne" cysts. Tried every antibiotic, natural home remedies, balancing hormones... nothing helped. May 2009 it got WORSE. at least 3 new cysts on my face EVERY DAY. I prayed and asked God to show me what I could be doing...I knew this was not normal. Dermatologist told me... "this happens to women at 50". The Lord led me to studying food allergies. Wheat (bread, cake, pie, cookies, crackers...was the LAST thing I ever wanted to give up) But HE told me one day eating at a restaurant, roll in hand..."it's in the bread". The next day (Friday) I ate NO wheat products. Saturday morn I woke and for the first time in 6 months, I had NO NEW CYSTS. Tried it again that day... NO new cysts the following day. For 4 days, no cysts and the old ones started drying up. I goofed and ate something thickened with flour...the next day, 2 cysts. It was the wheat. Been off it ever since (3 weeks now) and PRAISE GOD my cysts are gone and the scars are leaving slowly. It is hard at times, but I am committed to stay off all gluten products. Celiac ??? don't know. I don't want to get back on it for the test ... I just know what the Lord showed me and I intend to heed His word. FOR YEARS I suffered from severe, red and painful “acne” cysts. Tried every antibiotic, natural home remedies, balancing hormones… nothing helped. May 2009 it got WORSE. at least 3 new cysts on my face EVERY DAY. I prayed and asked God to show me what I could be doing…I knew this was not normal. Dermatologist told me… “this happens to women at 50″. The Lord led me to studying food allergies. Wheat (bread, cake, pie, cookies, crackers…was the LAST thing I ever wanted to give up) But HE told me one day eating at a restaurant, roll in hand…”it’s in the bread”. The next day (Friday) I ate NO wheat products. Saturday morn I woke and for the first time in 6 months, I had NO NEW CYSTS. Tried it again that day… NO new cysts the following day. For 4 days, no cysts and the old ones started drying up. I goofed and ate something thickened with flour…the next day, 2 cysts. It was the wheat. Been off it ever since (3 weeks now) and PRAISE GOD my cysts are gone and the scars are leaving slowly. It is hard at times, but I am committed to stay off all gluten products. Celiac ??? don’t know. I don’t want to get back on it for the test … I just know what the Lord showed me and I intend to heed His word.

]]> By: Vin Miller http://naturalbias.com/the-deception-and-danger-of-grain-based-foods/#comment-5024 Vin Miller Wed, 16 Sep 2009 12:34:06 +0000 http://naturalbias.com/?p=5492#comment-5024 Thank you for your comments! Organic and Thrifty - Thanks for sharing your experience! I think a lot of people make the mistake of <a href="http://naturalbias.com/is-your-gluten-free-diet-still-harming-your-health/" rel="nofollow">continuing to eat a lot of grains</a> despite being on a gluten free diet. I think it's better to be conservative and minimize the consumption of all grains at least until it can be determined whether or not they cause any issues. Rose - Congratulations on taking responsibility for your health and making progress! I know from personal experience how frustrating it could be to feel as if the past has been taken away. However, it's much better to focus on all the healthier years that lie ahead. :) Unfortunately, there's been a lot of dogma in mainstream science and medicine for many years and it will probably stay that way for many more. Gluten sensitivity isn't the only widespread condition that's often ignored by conventional medicine and even celiac disease, which is generally accepted as a legitimate condition, is not considered often enough. However, I do believe that the situation is getting better and I'm hopeful that as long as we continue to educate ourselves and demand sensible treatment from the medical community, we will continue to see progress. That's an excellent question about the circulating gluten. I'm not exactly sure of the answer and will have to look into it more. As with any other foreign substance in the blood stream, I figure that it's eliminated by the immune system and/or the detoxification system. Perhaps it can accumulate in tissue, but based on the significant improvement that most people experience within a few weeks of eliminating gluten, I would think that such a build up wouldn't be as much of a problem as it is with heavy metals and other toxins. Thank you for your comments!

Organic and Thrifty – Thanks for sharing your experience! I think a lot of people make the mistake of continuing to eat a lot of grains despite being on a gluten free diet. I think it’s better to be conservative and minimize the consumption of all grains at least until it can be determined whether or not they cause any issues.

Rose – Congratulations on taking responsibility for your health and making progress! I know from personal experience how frustrating it could be to feel as if the past has been taken away. However, it’s much better to focus on all the healthier years that lie ahead. :)

Unfortunately, there’s been a lot of dogma in mainstream science and medicine for many years and it will probably stay that way for many more. Gluten sensitivity isn’t the only widespread condition that’s often ignored by conventional medicine and even celiac disease, which is generally accepted as a legitimate condition, is not considered often enough. However, I do believe that the situation is getting better and I’m hopeful that as long as we continue to educate ourselves and demand sensible treatment from the medical community, we will continue to see progress.

That’s an excellent question about the circulating gluten. I’m not exactly sure of the answer and will have to look into it more. As with any other foreign substance in the blood stream, I figure that it’s eliminated by the immune system and/or the detoxification system. Perhaps it can accumulate in tissue, but based on the significant improvement that most people experience within a few weeks of eliminating gluten, I would think that such a build up wouldn’t be as much of a problem as it is with heavy metals and other toxins.

]]> By: Rose http://naturalbias.com/the-deception-and-danger-of-grain-based-foods/#comment-4875 Rose Sun, 13 Sep 2009 04:40:12 +0000 http://naturalbias.com/?p=5492#comment-4875 This is a great article and I'm so glad to see more publicity about gluten intolerance. I was horrified to learn 4 months ago at the age of 59 that I am gluten intolerant and probably have been all my life. I certainly have a plethora of medical conditions, some since childhood that now leave me with no doubt they were all caused by this gluten intolerance. I am also angry that having been under the 'care' of various health professionals all my life, that nobody picked this up. When is the medical establishment going to wake-up, start diagnosing this problem and saving people from lives of unneccesary misery? I discovered that I am gluten intolerant myself as it happens. IMHO every disease under the sun is caused by gluten and I despair over the fact that so few people with various conditions don't know why and that diet is very definitely the cause of ill health. Although I have been totally gluten free for 4 months now, my lingering worry is: What happens to all the gluten still circulating in my body that I wasn't able to digest? This is a great article and I’m so glad to see more publicity about gluten intolerance. I was horrified to learn 4 months ago at the age of 59 that I am gluten intolerant and probably have been all my life. I certainly have a plethora of medical conditions, some since childhood that now leave me with no doubt they were all caused by this gluten intolerance. I am also angry that having been under the ‘care’ of various health professionals all my life, that nobody picked this up. When is the medical establishment going to wake-up, start diagnosing this problem and saving people from lives of unneccesary misery? I discovered that I am gluten intolerant myself as it happens. IMHO every disease under the sun is caused by gluten and I despair over the fact that so few people with various conditions don’t know why and that diet is very definitely the cause of ill health. Although I have been totally gluten free for 4 months now, my lingering worry is: What happens to all the gluten still circulating in my body that I wasn’t able to digest?

]]> By: Organic and Thrifty http://naturalbias.com/the-deception-and-danger-of-grain-based-foods/#comment-1611 Organic and Thrifty Sun, 21 Jun 2009 01:35:52 +0000 http://naturalbias.com/?p=5492#comment-1611 What a great, succinct primer stating the case for grain-free! I went gluten-free while ago, but going grain free was what really turned a corner for my health. I am going to pass this article along to those who may wonder "why no grain?". Thanks for your great blog. What a great, succinct primer stating the case for grain-free! I went gluten-free while ago, but going grain free was what really turned a corner for my health.

I am going to pass this article along to those who may wonder “why no grain?”.

Thanks for your great blog.

]]> By: Eat Smart Age Smart http://naturalbias.com/the-deception-and-danger-of-grain-based-foods/#comment-1528 Eat Smart Age Smart Thu, 18 Jun 2009 02:41:35 +0000 http://naturalbias.com/?p=5492#comment-1528 Vin, Sensitivity to grains is a growing problem for so many people. Your detailed review is the type of information we need to become more aware about the foods we eat. Our foods are no longer what they used to be and it's scary to think how our health is affected. Thanks so much for bringing this type of quality review to the attention of your readers! Vin,

Sensitivity to grains is a growing problem for so many people.

Your detailed review is the type of information we need to become more aware about the foods we eat.

Our foods are no longer what they used to be and it’s scary to think how our health is affected.

Thanks so much for bringing this type of quality review to the attention of your readers!

]]> By: Vin Miller http://naturalbias.com/the-deception-and-danger-of-grain-based-foods/#comment-1509 Vin Miller Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:11:32 +0000 http://naturalbias.com/?p=5492#comment-1509 Stephen - Thanks for the feedback and for sharing your experience! Allergies and sensitivities are two different types of immune reactions. If you're allergic to wheat dust, you're right that it's a good idea to avoid eating it, but it doesn't necessarily mean that you're sensitive to gluten. However, since you've already eliminated gluten from your diet, testing for gluten sensitivity may not be reliable. As I mentioned in the article, most people want confirmation from a test result before they put themselves through the inconvenience of a gluten free diet. Since you don't seem to be interested in eating grain based foods anyway, this shouldn't be much of an issue. I have the same regard for grains as well, particularly because I believe that they weren't a significant part of our evolution. As such, I'm content following a grain free diet without the confirmation of a test result. Jon - I'm glad you enjoyed the article! Quinoa, as with buckwheat and amaranth, are technically not grains and are widely agreed upon to be gluten free. As Ron mentioned, I believe the confusion is based on the potential for cross contamination from other gluten containing grains, particularly with quinoa and buckwheat. I think the key is to thoroughly assess the sources from which you buy these foods and to pay close attention to any reactions that might result from eating them. Whether you're sensitive to gluten or not, I think the most nutritious and healthy diet that you can follow is one that's based on meat, fish, fruits and vegetables. While grains can certainly be a good source of certain nutrients, I don't think they should be relied on as a primary source of protein or carbohydrate. For more information, you can read the article I wrote about <a href="http://naturalbias.com/is-your-gluten-free-diet-still-harming-your-health/" rel="nofollow">unhealthy gluten free diets</a>. It will be especially applicable if most of the grain based foods you're eating are processed. Ron - Thanks again for sharing your valuable insight! Stephen – Thanks for the feedback and for sharing your experience!

Allergies and sensitivities are two different types of immune reactions. If you’re allergic to wheat dust, you’re right that it’s a good idea to avoid eating it, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re sensitive to gluten. However, since you’ve already eliminated gluten from your diet, testing for gluten sensitivity may not be reliable. As I mentioned in the article, most people want confirmation from a test result before they put themselves through the inconvenience of a gluten free diet. Since you don’t seem to be interested in eating grain based foods anyway, this shouldn’t be much of an issue. I have the same regard for grains as well, particularly because I believe that they weren’t a significant part of our evolution. As such, I’m content following a grain free diet without the confirmation of a test result.

Jon – I’m glad you enjoyed the article!

Quinoa, as with buckwheat and amaranth, are technically not grains and are widely agreed upon to be gluten free. As Ron mentioned, I believe the confusion is based on the potential for cross contamination from other gluten containing grains, particularly with quinoa and buckwheat. I think the key is to thoroughly assess the sources from which you buy these foods and to pay close attention to any reactions that might result from eating them.

Whether you’re sensitive to gluten or not, I think the most nutritious and healthy diet that you can follow is one that’s based on meat, fish, fruits and vegetables. While grains can certainly be a good source of certain nutrients, I don’t think they should be relied on as a primary source of protein or carbohydrate. For more information, you can read the article I wrote about unhealthy gluten free diets. It will be especially applicable if most of the grain based foods you’re eating are processed.

Ron – Thanks again for sharing your valuable insight!

]]> By: Dr. Ron Hoggan http://naturalbias.com/the-deception-and-danger-of-grain-based-foods/#comment-1504 Dr. Ron Hoggan Wed, 17 Jun 2009 05:33:15 +0000 http://naturalbias.com/?p=5492#comment-1504 Hi Jon, I'm sure that Vin will have lots to say about your questions but in the interim I'd like to respond briefly to your comments: 1. While quinoa is totally free of gluten, and it does have a high protein content for a grain, it still falls far short of many richer sources of protein, especially meat and other animal products. 2. Corn, rice, and millet are grains. As such they are not the best of foods for humans. 3. kasha, if made from buckwheat groats, should be gluten-free (although there is risk of cross-contamination. On the other hand, many types of kasha made in eastern Europe specifically use gluten grains and should therefore be avoided on a gluten-free diet. Best Wishes, Ron Hi Jon,
I’m sure that Vin will have lots to say about your questions but in the interim I’d like to respond briefly to your comments:
1. While quinoa is totally free of gluten, and it does have a high protein content for a grain, it still falls far short of many richer sources of protein, especially meat and other animal products.
2. Corn, rice, and millet are grains. As such they are not the best of foods for humans.
3. kasha, if made from buckwheat groats, should be gluten-free (although there is risk of cross-contamination. On the other hand, many types of kasha made in eastern Europe specifically use gluten grains and should therefore be avoided on a gluten-free diet.

Best Wishes,
Ron

]]> By: Jon Camrud http://naturalbias.com/the-deception-and-danger-of-grain-based-foods/#comment-1502 Jon Camrud Wed, 17 Jun 2009 01:37:29 +0000 http://naturalbias.com/?p=5492#comment-1502 Vin, awesome article! Could you clear something up for me? Does Quinoa contain gluten? Some say it does, and some say it doesn't. Supposedly it has the highest content of protein of all the grains, hence I've adopted it into my 'gluten-free' diet. I've also been cheating quite a lot, and it was a real eye opener to read your concerns about even trace amounts causing issues. Maybe in the future you could write something about corn, rice, millet, and kasha, which I was told are all 'safe' for my gluten-free diet. Thanks Vin, awesome article! Could you clear something up for me? Does Quinoa contain gluten? Some say it does, and some say it doesn’t. Supposedly it has the highest content of protein of all the grains, hence I’ve adopted it into my ‘gluten-free’ diet. I’ve also been cheating quite a lot, and it was a real eye opener to read your concerns about even trace amounts causing issues.

Maybe in the future you could write something about corn, rice, millet, and kasha, which I was told are all ’safe’ for my gluten-free diet.

Thanks

]]> By: Stephen - Rat Race Trap http://naturalbias.com/the-deception-and-danger-of-grain-based-foods/#comment-1500 Stephen - Rat Race Trap Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:06:51 +0000 http://naturalbias.com/?p=5492#comment-1500 Vin I absolutely loved this article. Some grains have some value but we could do without them and some of them cause such great harm. I've had a known serious allergy to wheat dust that triggers severe asthma so I assume I'm likely to be sensitive to gluten. I've never been tested for food allergies but since the refined grain dominated diet I was on was so unhealthy for other reasons, I don't even care. I've been gluten free for several months and I'm loving it. Vin I absolutely loved this article. Some grains have some value but we could do without them and some of them cause such great harm. I’ve had a known serious allergy to wheat dust that triggers severe asthma so I assume I’m likely to be sensitive to gluten. I’ve never been tested for food allergies but since the refined grain dominated diet I was on was so unhealthy for other reasons, I don’t even care. I’ve been gluten free for several months and I’m loving it.

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