In Part III of this series, we’re diving into the evolution of wheat and how it has transformed from a staple of traditional diets to a contributor to modern health issues. 😞
Find Part I and Part II here. Or…
Quick recap. (Skim this.)
The food industry is driven by profit. That is all.
Its goal is to sell products that are cheap to produce and addictive, with marketing that misleads us. The way our food is produced, transported and stored impacts both our health and the environment. Industrial farming methods using chemical pesticides, prioritize high yields over nutrition and sustainability, while long distance transportation leads to loss of nutrients and chemical treatments to artificially ripen food during transit. Additionally, the rise in single use plastics break down into micro-plastics which contaminate the environment and our food. 🙃
*Make sure you look at the ingredients on the back of the package and vote with your dollar.
*Consider shopping locally and organic as much as possible.
*Also, opt for reusable containers and whole, natural foods.
Onward! 🙌🏽
If you’ve ever spent more than 5 minutes around me, you will likely have heard me gush over the fact that I think being gluten-free could literally bring about world peace. (In my defense, there is a direct brain-gut connection that could make this true.) 😎
I know no one wants to hear what I’m about to say but Ima just go head and say it…
The widespread belief that whole grains are a healthy choice stems from flawed logic i.e. replacing something bad (like white flour) with something less bad (whole grains) led to some health benefits, such as reduced risk of heart disease and diabetes. However, this doesn’t mean that whole grains are inherently good.
In recent years, wheat has become a controversial topic in the world of health and nutrition.
The Transformation of Wheat
The wheat we consume today is vastly different from what it was just 40 years ago. In an effort to increase crop yields, wheat was bred with wild grasses and subjected to genetic modifications, including mutagenesis (inducing mutations with chemicals and radiation). This resulted in the creation of modern semi-dwarf wheat, which is shorter, stockier, and produces a higher yield. Humans are not fit to digest this, and unfortunately, these changes brought about unintended health consequences. 🙈
Since the introduction of high-yield wheat in the late 1980s, we’ve seen an explosion of health issues such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, and autoimmune diseases (to name a few). When wheat is removed from the diet, people often report significant improvements in their health, including weight loss, better digestion, and clearer thinking. 🤔
The Impact on Health
Modern wheat contains altered proteins like gliadin, which are more toxic and inflammatory than they were decades ago. These proteins can contribute to conditions like celiac disease, digestive disorders, and even behavioral issues in children. Additionally, wheat contains anti-nutrients (like phytates), which bind to essential minerals like calcium, iron, and zinc, preventing their absorption in the body. 😲 So if I eat two slices of whole wheat bread, 90% of the iron in my diet is prevented from being absorbed. 🤦🏽♀️
And as if that wasn’t enough, it stimulates an over release of a protein called zonulin, which causes ‘leaky gut’, which in turn causes autoimmune diseases. Sigh. There’s more! Gluten reduces blood flow to the brain, interferes with thyroid function, and depletes your Vitamin C stores. 🥹
Even ignoring the gluten, the entire wheat package poses problems. Grains, including wheat, are largely indigestible and can cause issues like bloating, inflammation, and changes in gut bacteria. Modern wheat also triggers a higher spike in blood sugar, making it a contributor to weight gain and diabetes. 😑
To make matters worse, here’s more good news. 🫣
Last year 856,000 million kilos of glyphosate were sprayed worldwide. It is sprayed on grains, then we feed those grains not only to humans, but to animals and it goes into their bones into their collagen. This decimates the gastrointestinal tract microbiome and then everything else.
A Return to Simplicity
The rise in chronic health issues has shown that many of the foods we’re told to consume regularly, such as whole grains, may not be as healthy as once thought. Our ancestors thrived on diets rich in animal fats, proteins, fruits, vegetables, and natural plant foods. Eliminating modern grains and limiting sugar intake can lead to profound health benefits.
What Can You Do?
I mean…
I don’t want to state the obvious 🤣 but by eliminating grains and adopting a diet rich in whole, unprocessed foods, you might see transformative effects. From improved digestion and weight loss to clearer skin and sharper thinking, the benefits are remarkable. I am literally over here living my best health life! Simple dietary strategies like reducing grains, restoring vitamin D levels, and supporting gut health can lead to life-changing improvements.
Non-celiac gluten (or glyphosate 🤢) intolerances can manifest as almost every symptom that exists, so it can be hard to diagnose (as there are no biomarkers for it at the moment).
Go off of wheat for six weeks and see how you feel. See what your skin looks like, see what your energy is like. Do your aches and pains disappear? Then maybe even go three months.
Aging doesn’t automatically mean that you are slower, less energetic and more achy. If your memory is got you in the kitchen wondering what you went in there for, these are symptoms, not your destiny. Your body is trying to tell you to do something different. Hope you listen. ❤️
That is all. Congratulations on making it to the end!
Talk soon. Until then…
Eat well!
Coach Nellie