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| The Wheat Belly Experiment Test Subject on an average North American wheat based diet. |
I have always been suspicious of fad diets! I would rather eat sensibly and use instinct to guide my nutritional habits. Besides, what are we to believe? Suddenly bananas (high in potassium) are a junk carbohydrate. Carrots (a great source of vitamin A) are high on the glycemic index and are therefore best avoided. Give me a break! Many of these claims are based on pseudo-science and are not established findings! However, every so often some new information hits the market that may seem to make sense.
There is a new book out that suggests that dropping wheat products from your diet can lead to astounding physical transformation. Check out the following possibilities:
- Significant weight loss in only months
- Improvement of digestive problems
- Prevention of diabetes
- Less inflammation
- Better health and immune function
- Reversal of hair loss
The book is "Wheat Belly" by William Davis, M.D. Davis postulates that modern day wheat
has been genetically altered to provide greater yields. These alterations have created a food that is no longer natural and causes greater blood sugar spikes than actual sugar does. This can lead to multiple health consequences according to Dr. Davis.
The arguments against wheat in the book are not based on hard scientific evidence but they are convincing. Dr. Davis suggests links between many physical ailments and wheat consumption. People with Celiac disease or wheat intolerance/wheat allergies may be especially affected.
I come from a distance running background. Giving up wheat products in running circles is sacrilege! Pasta is made from wheat. Carbohydrate loading before a big road race with pasta is a sacred tradition! Who wants to run a marathon fortified only with celery sticks and rice cakes? Complex carbohydrates such as whole grains were considered to be the foundation of any healthy diet. Carbs are converted into glucose and glycogen that fuel the body's movement. Many foods are carbohydrate-based but the most convenient to eat are from wheat products. Bread, pasta, cakes, cookies, seasonings, and gravy are all wheat derivatives. How do you avoid it!
In the late 1990's a new food fad was hitting the book circuit. High protein / low carbohydrate diets such as the Atkins Diet were becoming the trend. Many adherents claimed significant weight loss especially in the initial months of the diet. At first this was somewhat baffling. Now maybe it makes sense. It wasn't so much the elimination of carbohydrates that caused the weight loss. It was the elimination of starchy carbohydrates in the form of wheat products. Maybe Dr. Davis has added the missing piece to the puzzle. Wheat may be the culprit -especially junk wheat products.
There are also those who suffer from Celiac Disease, wheat allergies or wheat intolerance.
Celiac Disease is autoimmune response resulting in an inability to process gluten which is a protein found in wheat or related grains such as barley and rye. Wheat Intolerance is usually synonymous with Celiac Disease.
Wheat Allergy is rare but can be a sensitivity to even be in contact with wheat as well as an adverse reaction to eating wheat products.
As I have previously mentioned, I lived for sometime in Alberta, a prairie province of western Canada. There are 3 things you don't want to badmouth out there; Oil, Beef, and Wheat. Keep in mind, those Alberta boys grow quite large with Alberta beef. Anger them at your peril.
I decided to try the wheat free diet myself! What better way to see if it has any merit.
It actually wasn't that hard. I was never a big sandwich eater. Pasta was a challenge to give up. However, you can get gluten-free pasta that is made from rice or other products.
The little food filler snacks such as muffins and cookies had to go. Wheat is added to many things such as ketchup, ice cream, soy sauce and vitamins. Being a Fitness Trainer makes you wary of junk food and fast food so giving that up was not much of an ordeal. I went for gluten-free substitutes whenever possible.
Of course, in the name of absolute science I sought out wheat-free or gluten free beer. Giving up a cold dark ale for a watery sorghum or rice substitute was probably the toughest part of the trial. The substitute beers just didn't hit the spot. I switched to red wine. (A true fitness faddist would have no need for any such spirits but I included them in my quest for a complete investigative search for nutritional truth!)
I gave the wheat free diet 2 months. Here were my findings:
- Blood pressure remained the same.
- Hair loss reversal - no change, yet! I'm not giving up on this one that easily.
- Muscular aches and joint pain.....no noticeable change.
- Intestinal health......I actually did feel better. Many years of using anti-inflammatory meds for sports wounds left me with a sometimes wonky stomach. There were fewer bouts of heartburn or sudden attacks of Montezuma's revenge half way through a long mountain bike ride.
- Metabolic changes.....I lost about 5 pounds (2 kilograms plus). My measurements at the navel decreased by more than an inch. My abdominal muscles were more visible and that sort of swollen jelly belly look was gone.
Since I did have some favorable results, I may still follow the diet with an 80 -20 approach. Twenty percent of the time I will have days in which I will include healthier wheat products such as whole grains. I will relax the diet when Mom cooks up her famous spaghetti dish. As always I will try to abstain from junk wheat products such as snacks, many desserts and fast foods. Heck, at Christmas time I may go with a 60 - 40 routine. Many successful diet plans allow a cheat day or a cheat meal once a week where any food is allowed.
The occasional wheat based dark ale may still pass my lips - for medicinal purposes only!
As a Fitness Trainer, I would recommend that my clients at least try to decrease the less nutritious wheat products. If I dropped 5 pounds they could as well. Wheat is so culturally ingrained (no pun intended) into the fabric of our society that getting clients to totally give it up would be difficult. If any of my clients have Celiac disease, wheat intolerance or diabetic conditions I would refer them to a physician and to a registered dietitian.
I sometimes advise a nationally ranked amateur wrestler on his workout program. He has some problems making his desired competitive weight class for major tournaments. I will suggest he try eliminating wheat from his diet in the last week and see if the weight loss can be made more manageable without a draining session in the sauna to shed the last few ounces. Hopefully this would leave him with more energy on the big day.
My final word on the topic:
I don't think wheat is the great food Satan. Wheat based junk snacks and fast foods can be a great temptation. People with certain food allergies and issues would be best to eliminate this food product ! They would be wise to consult a physician and a registered dietitian.
Keep in mind that a Fitness Trainer is not a nutritionist or a dietitian. They should not go beyond their scope of expertise. Be careful when giving advice on nutrition.
As for my failed hair loss reversal,......there's still Rogaine!
Miracles can still happen. (See picture below)
Miracles can still happen. (See picture below)
Until next time,.........Keep Fit!
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| The Wheat Belly Experiment Continued. Same Test Subject 2 months later Note: 1. Less visceral fat around midsection 2. Recent signs of defined abdominal muscles 3. Some slight evidence of hair loss reversal (This experiment is based on visual observation only. It is not a double bind scientific study.) Judge for yourself with an open mind ! |
References
Wheat Belly William Davis M.D.
copyright 2011 Harper Collins Publishers Ltd.
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