Skip to main content

Gluten: A Cereal Killer

Gluten and gluten-free diets have become more popular among people and now experts as well. Gluten is a protein that is found in wheat, barley, rye and is added to many processed foods. (1) It is a common contributing factor to weight gain, toxicity, inflammation and allergic reactions.

Gluten-free products are now considered big business with sales reaching nearly $4 billion annually. Gluten-free diets became popular with individuals with celiac disease but soon found to provide a wide spectrum of health benefits for most people.

Pharmaceutical Paradise

A study published in the Journal of Pediatrics found that the incidence of celiac disease (CD) may be as high as 1 in 33 people. (2) Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks and damages the intestines and digestive system.

Symptoms of celiac disease include:

Chronic diarrhea                    Constipation
Vomiting                                 Abdominal cramps and bloating
Pale stool                                Tingling and numbness
Weight loss                             Iron deficiency anemia
Pain in bones or joints            Osteoporosis
Seizures                                  Depression or anxiety
Infertility                                 Recurrent miscarriage
Missed menstrual periods      Arthritis

Gluten’s Dirty Secrets

Gluten primarily resides in processed foods and must be cut out of the diet. It is found in breads, pastas, cereals, pastries and cookies. It commonly hides in soups, candies, soy sauces, lunch meats and products that are marketed as no or low-fat.

Many non-celiacs and individuals that are gluten tolerant are switching to a gluten-free diet as well. A gluten-free diet has a wide spectrum of health benefits which include increased energy, stronger immunity, healthier digestion, balanced sugar, weight loss and improved cholesterol levels.

What do I eat? — Which grains are gluten-free?

Wheat, barley and rye have been found to be the most gluten-dense foods. Replace these highly processed grains with gluten-free healthy alternatives that include:

Rice               Hemp seeds
Quinoa          Sorghum
Flax               Amaranth seeds
Buckwheat    Millet

Gluten, Obesity and Heart Disease

Gluten throws havoc on our digestive system, inhibits nutrient absorption and produces systemic inflammation that can cause obesity, diabetes, cancer and heart disease. The battle of the waistline is actually a battle of the taste buds. The sweet taste of processed foods unfortunately does not have sweet outcomes. The inner aisles of the supermarket may shorten your life.

The tainted food supply is producing a new generation of conditions never seen before. The primary goal is not to be sucked into the food and pharmaceutical industry rat race that is ultimately shortening the lives of millions of people. The hazardous effects of processed foods is now becoming apparent and a change back to eating fresh, raw and organic is on the horizon.


Dr. Cory Couillard is an international healthcare speaker and columnist for numerous newspapers, magazines, websites and publications throughout the world. He works in collaboration with the World Health Organization's goals of disease prevention and global healthcare education. Views do not necessarily reflect endorsement.

Email: drcorycouillard@gmail.com
Facebook: Dr Cory Couillard
Twitter: DrCoryCouillard


(1) http://glutenfreecooking.about.com/od/gettingstarted/a/hiddengluten.htm
(2) Journal of Pediatrics January 2000 136:86-90

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Can we now cure HIV in newborns?

Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net Doctors are reporting that a child born with HIV that was put on an unusually aggressive treatment regimen has been functionally cured of the infection. Using the most sensitive HIV testing available, they were able to find only trace amounts of HIV "particles" but no virus capable of replicating, the research team reported. "If there is a trial that shows this can happen again, then this will be very important," said Dr. Karin Nielsen, a pediatrician who specializes in infectious diseases at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine. "You'll be able to treat people very intensively and reverse the disease." The news provides no answers for adults living with HIV but it can be a landmark victory in the health of future generations. Every year, 300,000 to 400,000 babies are born infected with HIV according to Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute for Allergies and Infectious Diseases.   The ...

Erectile dysfunction linked to diabetes

Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net Recent research indicates that 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes have a form of neuropathy, a leading cause of erectile dysfunction (ED). Diabetes is a condition of elevated blood sugar that is caused by poor production or lack of insulin.  Diabetes is also commonly tied to obesity, high blood pressure and cholesterol – all contributors to ED. Neuropathy or the side effects of the medications used to treat cardiovascular disease are risk factors for ED.  Other symptoms such as pain, tingling, or numbness in the hands, arms, feet, and legs are among the most common symptoms of neuropathy. Neuropathy can also cause digestive system symptoms that include indigestion, nausea and vomiting.  It is very common to experience diarrhea or constipation as well.  These factors greatly impact one’s ability to absorb nutrients and contributes to weight changes, weakness and other complications such as depression. Am I at ...

Tebowing to Lose Weight

Weight loss goals commonly coincide with vacation plans, reunions and weddings. In order to address the added pounds, there is a very critical component to success that is commonly overlooked. If you start a weight loss program and begin to fall off track, it’s usually not your bulging belly or your expanding upper thighs that get in the way—it’s your brain. Preparing your mind for weight loss is more important that the program itself. We will lay out the 4 step solution to help you start and complete your exercise and nutrition regimen. This process will not only help you become more successful and healthy, but also make it easier to re-start if you get off track. Preparation Begin by thinking of your weight loss goal as a project, much like renovating your kitchen or restoring a car. In order to complete such a project you would need a solid, effective and realistic plan of action. Remember that is not about superficial rewards, it’s about the complete packa...