Beat the Wheat

I mentioned my diet in Drug Free -- Supplement Expensive. It calls for me to be wheat-free.

What happens when I ingest wheat?

First, I become bloated. I've learned that my intestines become inflammed due to an intolerance to the proteins in the wheat.

Second, the wheat protein can enter the bloodstream before it's fully broken down. Folks who have this problem are said to have Leaky Gut Syndrome. The protein can get deposited in the joints and cause arthritic imflammation. My joints on the right side of my body had started to ache, especially the knee, elbow and wrist.

Third, my blood sugar peaks and then drops. This results in brain fog and virtual unconsciousness in the short term. What's really going on is that the liver produces more cholesterol, which is used to make insulin, which is needed to lower the level of blood sugar. This can happen as a result of eating any food that has a high Glycemic Index rating.

I once ate this way everyday, and my doctor told me to lower my cholesterol. This was due to the blood sugar, not necessarily the wheat. Ironically, he advised me to follow the Dean Ornish way of eating. That involves eating lower-fat foods, less protein and even more carbs, which are fat free. My cholesterol climbed out-of-control.

Also climbing out-of-control was my appetite. My body would lower the blood sugar, but it didn't stop until it was too late. So my body would urge me to raise it back up by eating more. I got enormous cravings for sweets, and then enormous weight gain.

What I should've done ten years ago was eat meat and vegetables to prevent the rollercoaster ride I went on. What shape would I be in if I'd not found out about this? Very round and sick, most likely.