A few weeks back, I wrote about a client who had clogged arteries, high vldl cholesterol, low energy, trouble sleeping, etc. We revamped his diet, adding more leafy greens, veges, and cut out most refined carbs. I also added 5 days of high intensity training (HIT). HIT is short periods of high intensity exercise followed by brief rest periods-no session lasted longer than 20 minutes. I saw him last week, and he was happy to report that he has lost 10 pounds, is sleeping a little better, has more energy and mental focus-important for him because he’s an attorney. He gets his blood checked at the end of this month, and I expect most of his markers will improve. What you put in your mouth does impact your health, big time. Speaking of food, it appears that not all whole grains may be good for you. Whole wheat may be a detriment to health, in disguise. A recent book, Wheat Belly, written by William Davis, reveals things you didn’t know about “Healthy whole wheat.” Whole wheat has been linked to weight gain, diabetes, heart and liver disease, bloating, systemic inflammation, autoimmune disease, joint pain, osteoporosis, dementia, skin rash, asthma, and ADHD. Does that sound like something good to eat? Mr. Davis was featured on the Dr. Oz show, December 3, 2012-check it out. Ever since I’ve read an overview, I’ve tried to find bread or crackers without whole wheat, and it’s darn near impossible. Sprouted wheat berries are ok, just not whole wheat. Most people, myself included, think/thought that whole wheat was good for you. Why isn’t it? Back in biblical times, there were only two varieties of wheat, which nature made. Today, there are over 50 varieties; hybrids of wheat made to withstand drought, insects, and modern day milling and thrashing. The human body doesn’t recognize these variations, and doesn’t quite know what to do with wheat when you eat it. Digestive problems ensue, and since the gut controls immune function, inflammation, and other things, nothing good happens. Considering 150 million Americans have diseases related to nutritional problems, you may want to re-think how much wheat you consume. One study I read last year measured blood levels of inflammatory markers after subjects consumed wheat. Within two hours, inflammation doubled, and since it’s inflammation that ultimately leads to disease, keeping levels low is optimal for health…….. Potassium citrate, which is found primarily in fruits and vegetables, appears to boost bone density by removing excess acid in the body. Swiss researchers gave 169 people who were over 65 either a placebo or enough potassium citrate to supplement their diets with 2,400 mg of potassium a day. Both groups also got calcium (500 mg) and vitamin D (400 IU) every day. None of the participants had bone density low enough to require treatment for osteoporosis. After two years, the potassium takers had higher spine, hip, arm, and leg bone density than the placebo takers, and the potassium citrate neutralized excess acid secretion. The American diet of meats and grains increases acid in the body, so calcium is pulled from bone to neutralize it. Bottom line: Eat more fruits and veges. Supplements are available, but to get the levels needed in the study, six to nine pills a day are needed. Eat well.
Stay well, John R Blilie, M.S.