Comments on: What about gluten? http://www.ackdoc.com/wordpress/2013/02/20/what-about-gluten/ J. Greg Hinson, MD Thu, 07 Mar 2013 15:11:31 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.5 By: Greg http://www.ackdoc.com/wordpress/2013/02/20/what-about-gluten/comment-page-1/#comment-3400 Greg Thu, 07 Mar 2013 15:11:31 +0000 http://www.ackdoc.com/wordpress/?p=1414#comment-3400 That is an excellent summary of the link between auto-immune diseases like Celiac or various arthritis conditions and the gut. What we know is that it takes a genetic predisposition towards these changes being able to happen, and then some sort of activation. Some people carry the genes for it, and never develop Celiac; this article states that fewer than 10% of people that carry the genes actually develop disease. Gluten is a definite trigger. The article surmises that it takes some sort of combo of excess gluten intake, specific more-toxic forms of gluten, and infant feeding patterns in order to activate the disease (i.e., not breastfeeding). The article also mentions that by arresting the exposure to the triggers, you can "turn off" the disease as well, which is exciting and certainly why some people feel so much better off the protein. Without the benefit of science to back this up, it's my opinion that a large percentage of people carry the gene and, historically, have never suffered from the disease. However, over the past 50 years, we have seen tremendous changes in our diets. We are Super-sized. The Low-fat movement just resulted in increased sugar and grains. We are eating more and more grain-based and grain-fed products. And, accordingly, more people with the predisposition are getting "acitivated," hence the increasing incidence. This means that we need to, on the whole, be more careful about our diets. Eat less. Eat less processed foods. Eat more real food. But it doesn't mean that gluten is, for the vast majority of people, a problem with being a part of this diet of moderation. There is no doubt that these gut and diet related autoimmune diseases exist. We've known that for a long time. And, for some, it is extremely important to avoid all traces of gluten. There is also reason for everyone else to be careful about the quantity (and quality) of the grains they eat. But the idea that the entire population is somehow better off avoiding gluten is just a fad and any attempts to restrict our diets of specific nutrients just impedes the path to moderation. That is an excellent summary of the link between auto-immune diseases like Celiac or various arthritis conditions and the gut. What we know is that it takes a genetic predisposition towards these changes being able to happen, and then some sort of activation. Some people carry the genes for it, and never develop Celiac; this article states that fewer than 10% of people that carry the genes actually develop disease. Gluten is a definite trigger. The article surmises that it takes some sort of combo of excess gluten intake, specific more-toxic forms of gluten, and infant feeding patterns in order to activate the disease (i.e., not breastfeeding). The article also mentions that by arresting the exposure to the triggers, you can “turn off” the disease as well, which is exciting and certainly why some people feel so much better off the protein. Without the benefit of science to back this up, it’s my opinion that a large percentage of people carry the gene and, historically, have never suffered from the disease. However, over the past 50 years, we have seen tremendous changes in our diets. We are Super-sized. The Low-fat movement just resulted in increased sugar and grains. We are eating more and more grain-based and grain-fed products. And, accordingly, more people with the predisposition are getting “acitivated,” hence the increasing incidence. This means that we need to, on the whole, be more careful about our diets. Eat less. Eat less processed foods. Eat more real food. But it doesn’t mean that gluten is, for the vast majority of people, a problem with being a part of this diet of moderation. There is no doubt that these gut and diet related autoimmune diseases exist. We’ve known that for a long time. And, for some, it is extremely important to avoid all traces of gluten. There is also reason for everyone else to be careful about the quantity (and quality) of the grains they eat. But the idea that the entire population is somehow better off avoiding gluten is just a fad and any attempts to restrict our diets of specific nutrients just impedes the path to moderation.

]]> By: Rachel http://www.ackdoc.com/wordpress/2013/02/20/what-about-gluten/comment-page-1/#comment-3399 Rachel Thu, 07 Mar 2013 12:33:45 +0000 http://www.ackdoc.com/wordpress/?p=1414#comment-3399 Here is an interesting study published on the CDC website examining the role of gluten and increased intestinal permeability in autoimmune disease. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2886850/ Here is an interesting study published on the CDC website examining the role of gluten and increased intestinal permeability in autoimmune disease.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2886850/

]]> By: AckShedHunter http://www.ackdoc.com/wordpress/2013/02/20/what-about-gluten/comment-page-1/#comment-3184 AckShedHunter Fri, 22 Feb 2013 17:17:56 +0000 http://www.ackdoc.com/wordpress/?p=1414#comment-3184 Never eat anything man has made or that comes in a package. Never eat anything man has made or that comes in a package.

]]> By: Georgia Raysman http://www.ackdoc.com/wordpress/2013/02/20/what-about-gluten/comment-page-1/#comment-3175 Georgia Raysman Thu, 21 Feb 2013 21:05:03 +0000 http://www.ackdoc.com/wordpress/?p=1414#comment-3175 Greg-- here's another post on food and medicine. Not related to this gluten topic, but I don't have another email to send it to you. http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/20/our-m-i-a-surgeon-general/?nl=opinion&emc=edit_ty_20130221 Greg– here’s another post on food and medicine. Not related to this gluten topic, but I don’t have another email to send it to you. http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/20/our-m-i-a-surgeon-general/?nl=opinion&emc=edit_ty_20130221

]]> By: Greg http://www.ackdoc.com/wordpress/2013/02/20/what-about-gluten/comment-page-1/#comment-3169 Greg Wed, 20 Feb 2013 21:55:30 +0000 http://www.ackdoc.com/wordpress/?p=1414#comment-3169 That such a diet has helped you to feel better is enough, isn't it? That's great to hear! No further justification by marginal science is even needed. That such a diet has helped you to feel better is enough, isn’t it? That’s great to hear! No further justification by marginal science is even needed.

]]> By: Rachel http://www.ackdoc.com/wordpress/2013/02/20/what-about-gluten/comment-page-1/#comment-3167 Rachel Wed, 20 Feb 2013 20:47:29 +0000 http://www.ackdoc.com/wordpress/?p=1414#comment-3167 Phytic acid is the word I was looking for. Lectin in another. Phytic acid is the word I was looking for. Lectin in another.

]]> By: Rachel http://www.ackdoc.com/wordpress/2013/02/20/what-about-gluten/comment-page-1/#comment-3165 Rachel Wed, 20 Feb 2013 20:08:51 +0000 http://www.ackdoc.com/wordpress/?p=1414#comment-3165 FYI, on anti-nutrients: http://paleolithicdiet.wordpress.com/2008/06/22/antinutrients-your-key-to-bad-health/ FYI, on anti-nutrients:

http://paleolithicdiet.wordpress.com/2008/06/22/antinutrients-your-key-to-bad-health/

]]> By: Rachel http://www.ackdoc.com/wordpress/2013/02/20/what-about-gluten/comment-page-1/#comment-3164 Rachel Wed, 20 Feb 2013 19:57:04 +0000 http://www.ackdoc.com/wordpress/?p=1414#comment-3164 Other cultures that eat a lot of rice, for example, also don't eat any of the processed foods whereby so many grains are snuck into the American diet. They also eat a lot of coconut oil. There are a lot of variables at stake which make it hard to compare to other countries at face value. The only real way to find out is to try it for yourself. "Anti-nutrients" is a new term, and not a fruitcake one. Also, the digestive cells are in fact impaired over time from overexposure to too many carbs. If one is producing a lot of mucus, it is the body's inflammatory response in an attempt to protect those cells from further damage. I will get back to you on the name of the acid that is so abundant in grains. Other cultures that eat a lot of rice, for example, also don’t eat any of the processed foods whereby so many grains are snuck into the American diet. They also eat a lot of coconut oil. There are a lot of variables at stake which make it hard to compare to other countries at face value. The only real way to find out is to try it for yourself. “Anti-nutrients” is a new term, and not a fruitcake one. Also, the digestive cells are in fact impaired over time from overexposure to too many carbs. If one is producing a lot of mucus, it is the body’s inflammatory response in an attempt to protect those cells from further damage. I will get back to you on the name of the acid that is so abundant in grains.

]]> By: Rachel http://www.ackdoc.com/wordpress/2013/02/20/what-about-gluten/comment-page-1/#comment-3163 Rachel Wed, 20 Feb 2013 19:44:48 +0000 http://www.ackdoc.com/wordpress/?p=1414#comment-3163 Dismissing the path to wellness that many people are finding in avoiding gluten and grains (and sugar and most dairy) as a fad is preposterous. The Boy With the Thorn in His Joints shows what can happen when people trust their instincts and follow their own hearts (and bodies) instead of the constant naysaying and skepticism from most doctors. I challenge you to go grain free for a week and see how you feel. Then we'll talk. Dismissing the path to wellness that many people are finding in avoiding gluten and grains (and sugar and most dairy) as a fad is preposterous. The Boy With the Thorn in His Joints shows what can happen when people trust their instincts and follow their own hearts (and bodies) instead of the constant naysaying and skepticism from most doctors.

I challenge you to go grain free for a week and see how you feel. Then we’ll talk.

]]> By: Ema Hudson http://www.ackdoc.com/wordpress/2013/02/20/what-about-gluten/comment-page-1/#comment-3161 Ema Hudson Wed, 20 Feb 2013 15:38:54 +0000 http://www.ackdoc.com/wordpress/?p=1414#comment-3161 thanks for standing up for gluten. i'm tired of the fad. eat what works for your own body and allow others to make their own decisions. thanks for standing up for gluten. i’m tired of the fad. eat what works for your own body and allow others to make their own decisions.

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