Do yourself a big favor and go get this book and read the whole thing!
Here is an excerpt:
It will come as a surprise for most people that the underlying cause of the issues described above, in these very different people, was the same thing - a common component in nearly everyone's diet. Something medicine is only now discovering to be dangerous and unhealthy, despite its prominent role in our food supply. Gluten.
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye oats and barley. Other grains such as corn and rice have similar, but less problematic proteins (we'll talk about those later). Just let that soak in for a minute. The usual response is BS! Grains are healthy! The government says so! I love bread and cookies!
OK Buttercup, calm down, I get it. Bread, pasta, and cookies are yummy. They are also killing you. The other sections of this book I'm willing to give you a "pass" on understanding the technical points. Most people kinda get the insulin/high-carb issue. People are slowly realizing that there are "good fats". So I'll not hold you responsible for that material. However I insist you read this grain issue, ponder it, and then do what I recommend. Why? Because left to your own devices you will argue and bellyache. Then you will generate an impressive but ultimately inaccurate list of counterarguments and excuses based on emotions, fear and governmental inaccuracies. Then we have the teensy issue that you are likely more addicted to junk foods than a crackhead is to his rock.
Let me be completely clear on this: Your understanding of this situation is clouded by failed governmental policy, the industrial food complex, and your addiction to these foods. You may think this is caca-de-toro, but I'm going to prove you wrong and hopefully save your life in the process. I am not trying to be a jerk, but if you have any of the plethora of health issues for which gluten is a causative factor, the clock is ticking.
We are going to learn the whole story about gluten, grains and their roles in disease. I'll then give you quantifiable measures for determining how much healthier you are without them. Then it's all up to you. If you want to be healthy, you will find some level of compliance that works for you. If not, we gave it our best shot.
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And just to head you off at the pass, let's tackle two other grain related topics: "Whole grains" and Quinoa.
Whole grains are held up as some kind of miracle food, but did you guys read the Hunter Gatherers Are Us chapter? Have you been reading this grain chapter? Grains are NOT healthy! Be they whole or half a grain. You will see in a later chapter that grains are, calorie per calorie, remarkably weak as compared to lean meats, seafood, veggies and fruit. You can look that stuff up yourself in the USDA nutrient database website. It's an eye-opener, especially for vegetarians. Now this is just considering the value of grains with regards to vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients like protein, carbs and fat. When we factor in their anti-nutrient properties, and potential to wreak havoc on our GI tract, grains are not a sound solution for health or longevity.
Quinoa pops up frequently and the refrain goes like this, "Robb! Have you tried this stuff Quinoa (the pronunciation varies depending on how big a hippy you are). It's NOT a grain! It's fine, right?"
Well, you've likely heard the expression, "If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck..."
Hal had a hard time keeping up with this girl!
