I have found wheat to be one of the most abundant and problematic foods. I believe it to be the single largest contributor to intestinal dysbiosis, parasitic infections, and universal food allergies. Over-consumption and genetically-modified grains are the greatest causes of wheat intolerance and gluten sensitivity.
It is important to first note that some people can be severely allergic to wheat. They are often medically diagnosed with the disease called Celiac or Celiac Sprue. This is an illness that is treatable, but can be painful and confusing for patients and their families, as there is a lot of lifestyle changes that must be made to accommodate the celiac patient. Celiac patients are also often allergic to wheat "sister" grains of rye, oat and barley.
Fortunately, most people do not suffer from Celiac disease. Most problems are from simply consuming too much wheat. Most people can assimilate a small to moderate amount as a PART of their diet. It is when we make it the MAJOR part of our diet (western/industrialized diets) that it often becomes a problem. There are many people who just can't break down wheat and similar grains, as they lack certain enzymes to do so. We see this more in O blood types than others, as they do not fare well on a diet with regular grains.
Consuming too much wheat can lead to decreased pancreatic function - decreased output of insulin and digestive enzymes. This can lead to blood sugar regulation problems such as hyper- or hypoglycemia and chronic digestive disorders.
Symptoms may include fatigue, memory loss, sleep disruption, allergies, muscle and joint pain, high blood pressure, asthma, headaches, visual disturbances, learning disabilities/hyperactivity/attention deficit, obesity, chronic digestive disorders, to ulcers, food allergies, diarrhea/constipation, inability to absorb vital nutrients, parasitic infections, intestinal dysbiosis (unbalanced normal bacterial count), sinusitis, candidiasis, hypo/hyperthyroid, and menstrual/hormonal difficulties to name a few.
Over-consumption of wheat can also lead to a sensitized intestinal tract. This is a big contributor. At this time, I understand that there is a cascade of deterioration as follows:
Normal digestive tract then...
over-consumption of wheat then...
intestinal dysbiosis then...
heightened intestinal immune response then...
degradation of the intestinal lining then...
pancreatic dysfunction (insulin and digestive enzyme deficiency) then...
parasitic infection susceptibility then...
inability to absorb micro-nutrients then...
absorption of un-digested, antigenic proteins then...
ultimately leading to degraded health, lost vitality and even chronic sickness and disease.
While there is no substitute for moderation when it comes to wheat and the other gluten containing grains (oat, rye and barley), there is a product that can help you when you've over-indulged on them. Glutenzyme is an enzyme product that is designed specifically to break down the proteins within wheat that are very hard to digest. With the use of Glutenzyme, you can improve your body's ability to digest and process wheat and other similar grains. A very popular product in Europe, Glutenzyme can help relieve gastric distress, bloating, constipation, diarrhea and other symptoms associated with wheat/gluten intolerance. People who use Glutenzyme may lose a good bit of water weight when undigested grains seen as a toxin are reduced and inflammation in the bowel is decreased. Patients have stated they feel lighter and less "bloated". They also feel more energetic and have greater mental clarity than they can ever remember!
In Health,
Dr. Brett Saks
Symptoms Of Wheat Intolerance
Many food allergies are confused with a food intolerance. A wheat allergy typically is confused with a wheat intolerance and if you dig even further can be confused with a gluten allergy as well as celiac disease. How you manage your reactions or intolerance can be very different so it is very important to know the difference between a wheat allergy and a wheat intolerance.
Millions of people suffer from allergies caused by a variety of sources both internal and external. External allergies are usually caused by airborne allergens like pollen or dust or environment factors like chemicals. Food allergies are usually the culprit when it comes to the internal reactions. They can be caused by certain foods that we eat, like seafood, peanuts or eggs. Wheat allergies fall into this category and is known to cause many uncomfortable reactions for the person involved.
A wheat allergy can be particularly hard to manage because wheat is found in so many different places. There are products that contain wheat like flour. There are ingredients like gluten that contain wheat and then there are the variety of foods like pasta and breads that contain wheat. We have broken it down this way because in order to manage your allergy you have to be aware of all the different ways you can come across "wheat".
How do You Differentiate Between a Wheat Allergy and a Wheat Intolerance
A wheat allergy and a wheat intolerance are two very different problems. True allergies involve the immune system whereas an intolerance does not cause a reaction from the immune system. A wheat allergy is an auto-immune response that can cause a variety of symptoms. The signs and symptoms of wheat allergy include:
*coughing
*vomiting
*asthma
*other breathing problems
Depending on the person it can cause anaphylaxis which can be fatal. True food allergies are rare and a wheat allergy is not an exception to that. A true allergic reaction to wheat is present in less that one half percent of the population.
Wheat intolerance is more typical and involves a person reacting to the gluten ingredient found in many wheat products. The gluten is a complex protein used so that the wheat will stick together and will rise when baked. Gluten can be found in other grains like rye and barley. It can also be found in oats that may be contaminated in the production process of the other grains. This intolerance continues to grow and can affect upwards of 14% of the population.
A wheat allergy produced sudden reactions while a wheat intolerance does not. The symptoms of wheat intolerance may seem less obvious and many people confuse it with something else or dismiss them as a normal part of life. The symptoms of a wheat intolerance include:
*eczema
*depression
*gastrointestinal upset
*low blood iron
One may dismiss a food intolerance as "That food just doesn't agree with me" but you should consider that there are serious health risks associated with both a wheat allergy and a wheat intolerance. These risks can be long term causing or contributing to conditions such as:
*diabetes
*anemia
*bowel cancer
Whether you have a wheat allergy or a wheat intolerance the best treatment is an elimination diet. There may be a specific wheat allergy diet that your allergist or nutritionist may recommend. These diets may be difficult to maintain but they are a must if you want to live as healthy as possible as well as avoid the serious health conditions that can be caused by this problem.
Both Dr. Brett Saks & Marilyn Franklin are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Dr. Brett Saks has sinced written about articles on various topics from Aquarium Fish, Wellness and Parenting. Dr. Brett Saks is a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC), Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (NMD), Author, Health & Wellness Coach, and Lecturer. His book "The Bio-Logikal Diet: Your Guide to Optimal Health" helps readers develop the knowledge to make better,. Dr. Brett Saks's top article generates over 1900 views. to your Favourites.
Marilyn Franklin has sinced written about articles on various topics from Allergies, Family Concerns and Lose Weight. Marilyn writes for where you can find info on food allergies like a. Marilyn Franklin's top article generates over 8100 views. to your Favourites.
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