4 Reasons Grains are Devastating to Your Health
The agricultural revolution is probably the single thing that has led to the expansion of populations and modern civilization, but at the time has probably been more detrimental to our overall health than anything else we’ve encountered. As the agricultural revolution began some 10,000 years ago, civilizations were successfully able to feed and raise larger populations and devote more time to activities that led to advancements in knowledge and modernization. This, however, came at the expense of increased infant mortality rates, reduced average life span, decreased brain and body size, increase in infectious diseases and the introduction of previously unknown conditions such as osteoporosis, bone mineral disorders and malnutrition. Yes, advances in modern medicine have decreased the death rates related to injures, infections and other acute illnesses, but the real cost is in the increase in chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis, metabolic syndrome, etc.
So, here’s the big 4 reasons why eating grains on a regular basis is deadly:
- The consumption of processed foods and grains causes a dramatic spike in blood glucose levels, which signals your pancreas to release insulin to store the glucose in your liver, muscles and mostly in your fat cells (please review my previous blog for more details on insulin and fat storage). Following recommendations from government organizations like the AMA and USDA, that had grains as a dietary foundation, leads to a foundation of chronic high levels of insulin production and insulin resistance. Insulin resistance (when your cells stop listening to insulin) is deadly on many levels, not to mention insulin levels are one of the biggest regulators of aging. Insulin is very mytogenic which increases cellular division, your cells can only reproduce a set number of times. The faster your cells reproduce the faster you age.
- Phytates: The anti-nutrient. Most grains contain a substance called phytates that easily binds to minerals like calcium, magnesium and zinc in the digestive tract - making them hard to absorb. Whole grains tend to have the highest levels of phytates that inhibit mineral absorption, even more than process grains. Processed grains are also depleted of vitamins such as Vitamin D, A, C and B12, unless they have been “fortified” by adding them back during processing. Even so, these nutrients are still not absorbed as well when compared to the consumption of whole fruits and vegetables. A diet high in grains limits fruit and vegetable intake and leads to deficiencies in these essential vitamins and interferes with their metabolism.
- Gluten, Lectin and Autoimmune Disorders. Certain grains contain a protein called gluten, which is very similar to those found in bacteria and viruses triggering immune response when ingested. Over 1/3 of all people are gluten-intolerant or gluten-sensitive (and probably even more on a subclinical level), which leads to a wide array of medical conditions such as gastritis, acid reflux, multiple digestive disorders, celiac disease, dermatitis, joint pain, reproductive problems, etc. Another deadly toxin found in grains is lectin. Lectin inhibits gastrointestinal function by damaging the brush borders that are needed for proper nutrient absorption. Lectin creates a “leaky gut”, which allows nutrients to be absorbed before they are fully processed. This leads to an immune reaction, because the immune system sees the large molecules as a foreign substance. The problem is that these foreign protein molecules resembles the proteins on the cellular walls and causes the body to attack itself which is called an autoimmune response. This is believed to be the root cause of many diseases.
- Over dose of omega 6 FA’s. Our Paleolithic ancestors consumed a diet that had a 1:1 or 1:2 omega 3: omega 6 fatty acid ratio. The typical western diet has a 3FA:6FA ration of 1:20-1:40. Omega 6’s are highly inflammatory so consuming a diet with high grain intake leads to chronic inflammation and all the disorders that go with it; not to mention, the vast majority of digestive issues are related to chronic inflammation.
You may be like many people who think, if I can’t eat grains then what can I eat? Simple; organic meat, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. The more grains you eliminate, the more you’ll begin to add foods that we’ve seem to forgotten about. Foods that we are designed to eat, foods that lead to an abundance of energy, health & vitality and weight loss. After-all, if you want to feel alive eat foods that are more alive than dead.
Dr. Chris Gubbels D.C., C.C.W.P
