Augusts Nutrition Newsletter 

Go against the grain!!!

While they are promoted to be “healthy” foods grains aren’t what they are cut out to be. Agriculture is big big business, from refined breakfast cereals to wholegrain bread but they facts are we as humans J carnivores, simple don’t have the digestive system to break them down and if we look at what we know of children/adults with Dyspraxia, ADD,ADHA etc whom may already have a compromised digestive system then grains most definitely are not the best choice.

 

A. Grains provoke an inflammatory response in the gut

Lectins are specialized proteins found in various plants and foods, but are found in high levels in grains (particularly wheat), legumes (particularly soy), and dairy. The most commonly know grain lectin is called “gluten”, but there are many others which are found even in pseudo-grains like quinoa. Lectins serve many biological functions in animals, but foods with high levels of lectins are harmful even if consumed in moderate amounts.

Lectins are tough proteins that do not break down easily, and are resistant to stomach acid and digestive enzymes. They travel through your digestive tract largely intact, and disrupt the intestinal membrane, damaging cells and initiating a cascade of events leading to eventual cell death. These holes allow intact or nearly intact proteins, bacteria and other foreign substances to cross into the bloodstream – where they do not belong. As the immune system notices foreign substances in the body, it responds and attacks. The immune response can manifest in an unlimited number of conditions (not just in the digestive tract!) commonly referred to as “auto-immune” in nature. This is hugely common with most children/adults today!

It’s important to note that these cautions are not just critical for those with a diagnosed Celiac condition. These negative downstream effects happen to everyone who eats grains, to various degrees. Simple because we are not designed to eat them!

B. Grains spike insulin levels

Grains pack a large amount of sugar in a very small package. As most grains are also heavily processed (yes, even whole grains) they are broken down into blood sugar (glucose) in your body very quickly. A large amount of ingested sugar broken down very fast leads to a spike in blood sugar. The body then releases a massive dose of a hormone called insulin to bring blood sugar levels back down. This is often referred to as an “insulin spike”.

When too much blood sugar is present in the system, your body quickly runs out of places to store it as useful energy, and will store any excess as body fat. In addition, when too much insulin is circulating in your body, the cell become desensitized to the hormonal “message” insulin is trying to send. Since the message isn’t getting through, your pancreas is prompted to release even more insulin when your body doesn’t need it. Finally, chronically high insulin levels lead to a condition in which your body has trouble releasing the energy already stored in your cells. This is a bad place to be. If (via a diet high in carbohydrates/sugar) this pattern continues, insulin levels continue to rise, fat stores continue to grow and the body becomes completely incapable of responding to its own directions. Research has and still is consistently showing that a diet high in sugar/carbohydrates dramatically increases your chances of heart disease, cancer, diabetes to name but a few! 

 

 

C. Grains have an acidifying effect on the body

An acid-producing diet promotes bone de-mineralization (i.e. osteopenia and osteoporosis), and systemic inflammation. Grains are one of the highest acid-producing food groups. By replacing grains and grain-containing processed foods with plenty of green vegetables and fruits, the body comes back into acid/base balance (and a more positive calcium balance). Recent research out of Tufts University has also shown that a more alkaline diet preserves muscle mass. Which is essential to maintain a strong health body throughout life.

 

D. Grains are “empty calories”

 

All grains – things like porridge, pasta, breads and cereals – have two things in common. They are calorically dense, and nutritionally meager. A small portion of grains packs a substantial amount of calories, almost all in the form of carbohydrates/sugar. All those calories, however, contain a miserly amount of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients (also called phytochemicals). Compare the calories, carbohydrates and vitamin profile of two large slices of whole grain bread (100 grams) to one cup of chopped, cooked broccoli (184 grams – nearly twice the mass). (Nutritional stats from NutritionData.com)

Note I am not saying there is nothing good to be found in grains or that you should never eat them as they do contain vitamins and minerals in various proportions and amounts. But it’s better to be aware of the truth about food especially when it come to you and your family’s health and the serious down sides of grains far outweigh any potential health benefits. Bottom line – there is NOTHING found in grains that you can’t get from a better source with NO down sides (like vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds).

 

Louis Davey

Dip Ex Sci, Dip NMT, Dip NT, NLP Practitioner, M.N.T.O.I

Nutritional Therapist

The Train Station Health & Fitness

087 062 7563

www.thetrainstation.ie

 

At the Train station we advocate a healthy, safe and lifelong commitment to exercise. We recommend carefully setting realistic goals after meeting with an exercise consultant. We will recognize your strengths and limitations and can work with you to achieve permanent results.