As we do our weekend grocery shopping, it is obvious that much more gluten-free products are sold along the alley of the so called "organic or health foods section'. Apart from celiac patients, let's just assume the public have awareness of impact of gluten on health and the body. But, are all gluten-free food products healthy? How about other grains products which are 'non-gluten'? Is it safe to consume?
Let's talk about grains in general. White rice, one of the most commonly consumed grains on the planet, especially amongst Asians. I'm talking about 'non-gluten' grain, apart from wheat. You must be thinking, rice is gluten free and should be safe for consumption right? Well, not exactly. Sorry to be the bad news bearer, and I grew up eating white rice almost my entire life till adulthood. For rice lovers, hold on to your horses and keep reading. For other grains addict, if you love eating oats, quinoa, millet, or most grains, the following truth will make you think twice.
Gluten, is only one of the components found in wheat. The one component we are going to discuss today is lectins, primarily wheat germ agglutinin (WGA). Lectins, are found in all grains, including rice.Before we jump into non gluten components, let review why grains are toxic humans, mammals and also birds and insects, especially gluten containing ones. A common question asked by my clients and friends about why grains contain anti-nutrients. Well, we as humans, have the ability to fight off predators or enemy physically. But, for grains and also plants, it is an evolutionary strategy to protect them from predation by birds, fungus, insects, pathogens and also bacteria. Plants including grains don't the ability to scream or physically defend themselves as we humans do. Thorns, hard shells and physical barriers are used to protect the seeds of the plants. Fruit entices predators to eat seeds, which pass through the predator's GI tract. Cereal grains and legumes have evolved toxic compounds that increase intestinal permeability, entering into the blood stream to produce effect or immune reaction.
I remembered being asked many times, "How about flour?". Bear in mind, flour can be made of almost any grains or legumes. Especially commercially made flour products, its highly toxic and laden with pesticides and chemicals during processing. You would be lucky if you could avoid non-GMO corn or wheat flour from supermarkets. It is close to easily 90% of wheat flour in the market sold everywhere. Wheat bran and germ are primarily discarded, and anti-nutrients are the highest in those compounds.
If you look at the photo illustration below, you will realize that there are a few components of gluten. Gliadin, which is a gluten protein, tend to affect some people more then others, in terms of sensitivity and severity. Majority of people might be aware of the 'evil' destruction of gluten, but another compound called WGA, has been discovered (not long ago) its 'fuller' damaging potential to humans and test subjects in clinical studies. Evidence in studies have shown that it may increase intestinal permeability through paracellular and transcellular pathways. The bad news is, it's found in almost all grains? I know most people are not going to be pleased to hear this piece of news.
It is now known that WGA got into the lymph, then into the blood. WGA binding cells in blood, such as erythrocytes, white blood cells and platelets. This toxic substance is transported into every cell in the body within only hours of ingesting! Some people might say, "So what?" Well, think of your thyroid for instance. Every cell in the body has thyroid receptor, meaning every cell can only produce energy if all if not most of your cells are getting the 'key in the right lock'. Metabolism, body temperature, energy expenditure, hormonal production, conception, body ability to lose weight and fat, all of these is determined by the state of every cell in the body, controlled by the health of your thyroid.
Bear in mind, eating wheat also impair Vitamin D metabolism. Just like being severely overweight or obese, the high level of inflammation in the body can affect the body inability to convert UV from the sun to usable Vitamin D. Low amount of cholesterol in the body may well play an important in converting UV to usable Vitamin D. Arguably the most important hormone, every cell in the body too has its receptor. Research have shown that more then 90% of people are deficient in Vitamin D levels. As Vitamin D is vital for health, it work through the nuclear pore, and WGA blocks and bind to the nuclear pore. This substance also has half-life of 4 hours in the cells. So, if one eat a typical western diet, every meal is wheat or grain based, nuclear pore binding is almost all day and night.
I remembered being asked many times, "How about flour?". Bear in mind, flour can be made of almost any grains or legumes. Especially commercially made flour products, its highly toxic and laden with pesticides and chemicals during processing. You would be lucky if you could avoid non-GMO corn or wheat flour from supermarkets. It is close to easily 90% of wheat flour in the market sold everywhere. Wheat bran and germ are primarily discarded, and anti-nutrients are the highest in those compounds.
If you look at the photo illustration below, you will realize that there are a few components of gluten. Gliadin, which is a gluten protein, tend to affect some people more then others, in terms of sensitivity and severity. Majority of people might be aware of the 'evil' destruction of gluten, but another compound called WGA, has been discovered (not long ago) its 'fuller' damaging potential to humans and test subjects in clinical studies. Evidence in studies have shown that it may increase intestinal permeability through paracellular and transcellular pathways. The bad news is, it's found in almost all grains? I know most people are not going to be pleased to hear this piece of news.
It is now known that WGA got into the lymph, then into the blood. WGA binding cells in blood, such as erythrocytes, white blood cells and platelets. This toxic substance is transported into every cell in the body within only hours of ingesting! Some people might say, "So what?" Well, think of your thyroid for instance. Every cell in the body has thyroid receptor, meaning every cell can only produce energy if all if not most of your cells are getting the 'key in the right lock'. Metabolism, body temperature, energy expenditure, hormonal production, conception, body ability to lose weight and fat, all of these is determined by the state of every cell in the body, controlled by the health of your thyroid.
Bear in mind, eating wheat also impair Vitamin D metabolism. Just like being severely overweight or obese, the high level of inflammation in the body can affect the body inability to convert UV from the sun to usable Vitamin D. Low amount of cholesterol in the body may well play an important in converting UV to usable Vitamin D. Arguably the most important hormone, every cell in the body too has its receptor. Research have shown that more then 90% of people are deficient in Vitamin D levels. As Vitamin D is vital for health, it work through the nuclear pore, and WGA blocks and bind to the nuclear pore. This substance also has half-life of 4 hours in the cells. So, if one eat a typical western diet, every meal is wheat or grain based, nuclear pore binding is almost all day and night.
One of the more disturbing findings about WGA, it can pass through blood-brain-barrier. Larger molecules can also get into the brain, activating glial cells. Thus, brain conditions or degradation may occur, and neurological disorders are becoming a diseased-trend in recent years. This is just part of the findings about WGA, as it can basically binds to almost everything in the body including bacteria, virus and LPS too.
Now, let's dive a little bit more into the findings from the studies about this toxic compound. Data and evidence suggest that this lectin molecule may be pro-inflammatory, immunotoxic, neurotoxic, cytotoxic, cardiotoxic, and also a potential endocrine disruptor. It could also interfere with gene expression, and who those who have entirely no clue of what that is, let's just say that it turn off a compilation of your good genes, and turn on some of your bad genes. Anti-WGA antibodies found in humans tests have been shown to cross-reactive with other proteins, that may have well trigger or contribute to autoimmunity. For those who is concern about aging or even cancer, this little substance can cause cell death and posses a cytotoxic capability.
Now, let's dive a little bit more into the findings from the studies about this toxic compound. Data and evidence suggest that this lectin molecule may be pro-inflammatory, immunotoxic, neurotoxic, cytotoxic, cardiotoxic, and also a potential endocrine disruptor. It could also interfere with gene expression, and who those who have entirely no clue of what that is, let's just say that it turn off a compilation of your good genes, and turn on some of your bad genes. Anti-WGA antibodies found in humans tests have been shown to cross-reactive with other proteins, that may have well trigger or contribute to autoimmunity. For those who is concern about aging or even cancer, this little substance can cause cell death and posses a cytotoxic capability.
WGA journals: (Partial list only..)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC440759/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19332085
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15465648
http://www.nature.com/bjc/journal/v80/n11/abs/6690593a.html
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2363124/
http://www.fasebj.org/cgi/content/meeting_abstract/22/1_MeetingAbstracts/898.3
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8955334
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1577348/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11732625
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2916907
No comments:
Post a Comment