Health
What’s the deal with Gluten?
By Victoria Bentley, NCTMB, CPI , LMT, HC
According to Robb Wolf,
a former biochemist, and
one of the world’s leading
experts in Paleolithic
nutrition, there is much
documented evidence that
gluten and other lectins
(an anti-nutrient) destroy
leptin (a hormone that
tells the brain you’re
full).
What? Too much science?
Let’s just say that anything,
such as gluten, that “messes”
around with our hormone signaling
is not particularly good for us.
Gluten is a digestive toxin produced
in the seeds of wheat. This
toxin is produced in order to protect
the seeds from consumption by
predators such as fungus, insects,
and yes, humans. Any grain has a
protective coating that we’re not
meant to digest.
What foods contain gluten?
Anything made from wheat, kamut
(a type of grain) triticale (a wheat/rye
hybrid), rye, barley, spelt and malt.
It’s even in beer.
What foods can I buy that are
gluten-free?
Rice, corn, sorghum, quinoa, soybean,
tapioca, amaranth, potatoes,
millet beans and peas are all glutenfree,
according to Cherry Hill, New
Jersey-based Chris Sandy, who
specializes in food allergies. Buckwheat
and oat flour are somewhat
gluten-free, but are difficult to find
without the presence of wheat due
to cross-contamination.
There are a wide variety of breads,
crackers, pastas, pizza crusts, cookies
and cakes specifically made without
gluten. But none of these refined and
processed foods are healthy choices;
gluten-free not withstanding.
The better choices are whole foods
that are nutrient-dense. Choose colorful
fruits, vegetables, leafy greens,
nuts and their butters, seeds, healthy
fats and proteins from properly raised
and handled fish, chicken, beef and
pork. We live in Montana where the
wild game meats are awesome options,
too.
Remember, just because foods are
gluten-free, that does not give us free
reign in consuming them – they still
may not have any nutritional value.
Can’t take the gluten
There’s a pretty good chance that
we all suffer from gluten intolerance
and aren’t aware of it, Wolfe
says. Most of us have been eating a
typical Western diet that includes
many of the foods mentioned
above. A little tummy distress here
and there might not bother you,
but I guarantee gluten and other
anti-nutrients included are doing
the harm.
Glutenfreejanuary.com stated that
about 30 percent of us react to
gluten. If that’s not serious enough
to convince you to remove gluten
from your diet then get a load of
this: 1 percent of us have what’s
called Celiac Sprue. It’s a hereditary
digestive disease causing a
severe immune reaction that over
time destroys the digestive tract.
It can be a life or death situation if
someone with Celiac Sprue ingests
gluten. Reactions include poor
digestion, obesity, autoimmune
disease and heart attacks.
Scary, right? In this case it’s important
to see your doctor to have it
properly diagnosed.
If you think that none of this
applies to you, I challenge you to
remove gluten from your diet for
one month and see how you feel.
I know you’ll feel better then you
ever have!
Victoria Bentley is the Owner
and Director of Bentley Bodies, a
premiere mind-body-wellness boutique
committed to healthy lifestyle
choices. Locations are in Big Sky
and Bozeman. She will be attending
the Ancestral Health Symposium in
Los Angeles Aug. 5 and 6.
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