Beware the dreaded Grain Deficiency Syndrome. This is what will happen to you if you eliminate wheat, corn, and other grains, the foods that the USDA and U.S. Dept of Health and Human services tell us, through their Dietary Guidelines for Americans, to eat more of, every day, every meal and snack. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the American Heart Association, and the American Diabetes Association also all agree: Terrible things will happen to you if you eliminate grains. You will develop Grain Deficiency!
So what does the Grain Deficiency Syndrome look like? Like any other syndrome, you can recognize this condition by its many tell-tale signs:
- Flat abdomen
- Rapid weight loss
- High energy
- Less mood swings
- Better sleep, vivid dreams, less restless legs
- Diminished appetite, freedom from food obsessions, heightened sense of taste
- Reduced blood sugar, reduced insulin
- Reduced blood pressure
- Reduced small LDL and total LDL
- Increased HDL cholesterol
- Reduced triglycerides
- Reduced C-reactive protein and other inflammatory measures
- Reduced joint pain
- Relief from acid reflux, esophagitis, and irritable bowel syndrome
- Reversal of autoimmune conditions
- Loss of facial and leg edema/swelling
- Reduced migraine and other headaches
- Reduced seizures, especially temporal lobe
- Reduced asthma and sinus congestion
Of course, you could choose to cure yourself of this syndrome simply by taking the antidote: foods made with grains like bread, breakfast cereals, pastas, pretzels, crackers, muffins, cornmeal, tacos, tortillas, popcorn, oatmeal. All the signs of the syndrome will then disappear and you can have back your protuberant abdomen, irrational mood swings, exaggerated appetite, higher blood sugar, etc. and you will have satisfied the requirements for a healthy diet as advised by the revised Food Plate.
Bob, I consider you an expert in these wb issues, second only to Dr. Davis. I do not mind copying your protocols because although i know you are not a doctor, you are very well informed.
Let me get this straight:You stated “I don’t know that a regimen for probiotics is yet nailed down. My personal practice is to use a counter-course during any unavailable antibiotics, subsequent to any other gut upset, and perhaps once a year just because.”
Am I correct in interpreting that your personal practice is to take probiotics while taking antibiotics, after a gut upset and absent these occurrences once a year in a 30 day period?
palo wrote: «I consider you an expert in these wb issues, second only to Dr. Davis.»
Thanks, but I’m just an ordinary person, who pays some attention, and writes things down from time to time.
«…your personal practice is to take probiotics…»
I did a course when the topic first arose here, and I consider it to be a worthwhile thing for anyone to do when just starting out – with all the gut antagonists identified and removed from the diet. A 60-day course might be the most effective.
I did a 60-day double course as a result of unavoidable antibiotics for some dental work (lingering effects of the former diet).
If I caught any intestinal ailment, I’d do a 30- or 60-day course. Perhaps not coincidentally, since switching to Wheat Belly in 2011, I haven’t had any illnesses of note (maybe one head cold that never really got going), and so haven’t needed to consider probiotics for that.
I typically do at least a 30-day course once a year.
Keep in mind that neither the optimal spectrum of species and strains, nor the [re]colonization issue, are fully nailed down. Keep an eye on developments.
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Dr. Davis, has there been any research into whether this approach has any effect on bipolar disorder, specifically type 2?
Zac Martin wrote: «…any research into whether this approach has any effect on bipolar disorder, specifically type 2?»
You can use the blog’s Search feature on “bipolar”, or an external search engine restricted to this site, to find all the back articles that mention it, although little on Type 2 specifically, for example:
https://drdavisinfinitehealth.com/2012/05/bread-paper-and-other-inedible-objects/comment-page-1/#comment-49136
I haven’t exhaustively reviewed all the hits to see if any lead to cites. I tend to doubt that any trials have been run specifically on that (or on most optional ailments that grains provoke, for that matter).
The trivial bottom line is that doing a grain elimination is perfectly safe to undertake, and provides outsized benefits regardless of direct effect on the bipolar (and it is very likely to have an effect). If any medications are in use for the Bipolar II, the dose should only be adjusted in concert with the prescribing MD.
And let’s be precise about “this approach”. Wheat Belly is not just grain elimination, and much of what else is advocated often has material benefits for neurological problems. Key parts of the program with material neuro implications are:
• very low net carb (ketogenic optional)
• attend to gut flora (daily prebiotic fiber, a course of probiotics)
• increase specific fats (Omega 3 DHA&EPA in particular)
• get a competent thyroid assessment and treatment as needed
• dramatically reduce Omega 6 linoleic acid (esp. “vegetable oils”)
• address common micronutrient deficiencies (Vitamin D, Mg, others)
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Mr. Bob, thanks so much
“attend to gut flora (daily prebiotic fiber, a course of probiotics)”
Due to a bad cold, my doctor put me on antibiotics (penicillin via pills).
I’ve heard that antibiotics impact gut flora, thus, should I interrupt my pre/pro biotics daily protocol?
Please provide the link to the external search engine restricted to this site,
palo wrote: «I’ve heard that antibiotics impact gut flora, thus, should I interrupt my pre/pro biotics daily protocol?»
Dr. Perlmutter suggests not only taking the probiotics during the course of antibiotics, but using a double-dose, and extending it for 30 days after the antibiotics. Use a quality product, of course. And continue the daily prebiotic fiber.
«Please provide the link to the external search engine restricted to this site,»
For example, using Google Advanced Search:
https://www.google.com/search?as_q=bipolar&as_sitesearch=wheatbellyblog.com
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Bob Niland said “Dr. Perlmutter suggests not only taking the probiotics during the course of antibiotics, but using a double-dose, and extending it for 30 days after the antibiotics.”
I thought I was supposed to take the probiotics everyday. After the 30 days after the antibiotics, am I supposed to stop taking them forever? If not what’s the probiotics protocol (i.e. 30 days on x days off etc.)?
BTW I am taking two vsl3 pills per day. Is that enough, too much, too little? I also take 20-25 grams of Bob’s resistant starch.
palo wrote: «I thought I was supposed to take the probiotics everyday.»
Where did you find that advice?
Prebiotics are daily. I don’t know that a regimen for probiotics is yet nailed down. My personal practice is to use a counter-course during any unavailable antibiotics, subsequent to any other gut upset, and perhaps once a year just because.
Our ancestors, of course, were topping off their gut zoo regularly by consuming seasonal root foods, with lax hygiene. How we might emulate the benefits of that, whilst avoiding the obvious pathogen risks, is something of an open issue.
«I am taking two vsl3 pills per day. Is that enough, too much, too little?»
It’s exactly what I would, not speaking as your doctor.
«I also take 20-25 grams of Bob’s resistant starch.»
I presume you mean BRM raw potato starch. Quantity sounds fine, but Wheat Belly recommends varying your prebiotic fiber sources. You can use the blog’s Search feature on “prebiotic fiber sources” for some articles with suggested types.
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Will eating cured bacon hamper weight loss? Or is it just that uncured is healthier?
THE best thing I ever did for myself HEALTH wise was to become wheat/grain free! Thank you Dr. Davis for this amazing breakthrough! Cannot even begin to describe the difference in the way I feel and look… so healthy, energetic and no more migraines!!!!
Some folks claim that low carb diets, like wb, irreversibly atrophy the thyroid. Is this true?
palo wrote: «Some folks claim that low carb diets, like wb, irreversibly atrophy the thyroid.»
Got any cite trail at all for that one?
You might start here from just January, that took a look at the debate to date:
http://yelling-stop.blogspot.com/2016/01/thyroid-and-low-carb-what-do-thyroid.html
We have the additional problem that hypothyroidism is rampant,
☤ mis-tested (TSH only),
☤ mis-diagnosed (as normal and when TSH is suggestive of hypo), and
☤ mis-treated (with T4 only), even if correctly diagnosed.
This might raise the question of whether a low carb diet helps people discover that they’d been hypo for a long time before changing their diet. I have no conjectures on that.
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“This might raise the question of whether a low carb diet helps people discover that they’d been hypo for a long time before changing their diet. I have no conjectures on that.”
I read your article and the other articles linked within your article.
There is a lot of conflicting evidence from both camps to the point that I’m confused and don’t know what to believe.
I would think that Dr. Davis, who’s had extensive low carb experience with his patients, might be able to share with us his experiences.
palo wrote: «There is a lot of conflicting evidence from both camps to the point that I’m confused and don’t know what to believe.»
The issue hasn’t arisen on this blog since it started in 2011, nor on the Cureality site, nor on TrackYourPlaque, going back to 2007. For perspective, a similar fret by the full-time carbers, PIR, does arise from time to time (and is also not a problem). This suggests that the present thyroid atrophy conjecture is chimerical.
If you find someone who thinks there’s a “thyroid atrophy” problem, see what their posture is on thyroid health generally: what they have to say about TSH, what tests they recommend, whether they even mention iodine, what they have to say about thyroid hormone replacement therapies, and what they advise about thyroid antagonists in diet. That is, do they seem to actually know much about thyroid.
All of Dr. Davis’ works are very focused on thyroid health. If the Wheat Belly dietary recommendations required any thyroid compensation, beyond what people needed before they started, we’d have heard about it.
As with almost everything having to do with diet and health, the consensus medical dogma on thyroid is a disaster. Beyond that, some bloggers are attempting to convince themselves that a full-time glycemic diet is healthy. They may be expected to grasp at whatever straws, however flimsy, to rationalize their positions.
«I would think that Dr. Davis, who’s had extensive low carb experience with his patients, might be able to share with us his experiences.»
If we don’t hear from him here, chances are the responses so far have covered it. Thanks also to Uncle Roscoe.
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When wheat ingestion causes cellular insulin resistance blood sugar rises, and the pancreas ramps up insulin production. At some point the pancreas tires, and starts declining in insulin production.
It’s the same way with thyroids. Cellular metabolism brakes down T3 into T2, T2 into T1, and T1 into iodine. Healthy cellular metabolism re-assembles the oxidized substrates of these thyroid hormones back into their more-complete states, ready for reuse. This happens as the products of oxidation get re-assembled back into pyruvate for re-oxidation.
The cells of a person with insulin resistance have a reduced capacity for re-assembling oxidation substrates into pyruvate. Therefore they have a reduced capacity for re-assembling thyroid substrates into thyroid hormones. They must get new thyroid hormone from the thyroid glands in the form of T4. It’s thought that thyroid over-production of T4 leads to a reduction of its ability to produce T4 ….just like the pancreas’s over-production of insulin leads to a reduction of it’s ability to produce insulin.
So in a healthy person on a very low-carb diet the pancreas should not be producing much insulin, and the same person’s thyroid should not be producing much T4. Abundant production of these proteins are not necessary to feed cellular metabolism in a fat-adapted person.
I have a 32″ waist @ 160 lb. Can I assume that I do not have insulin resistance with all the problems you described?
Palo: I have a 32″ waist @ 160 lb. Can I assume that I do not have insulin resistance with all the problems you described?”
No more than you should assume that you’re ill. If you’re healthy, then enjoy life.
Reduced seizures, especially temporal lobe
what are these seizures about?
monty wrote: «…what are these seizures about?»
For a bit more discussion on that see:
https://drdavisinfinitehealth.com/2015/08/no-grainer-brainer/
Wheat toxicities aside, as you probably know, a ketogenic diet is the top natural intervention for epilepsy specifically. What Wheat Belly recommends is borderline keto, and might be expected to be beneficial per se in mild or incipient cases. WB can easily serve as the basis for a fully ketogenic diet if desired.
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I had already lost 18 lbs on Wheat Belly proper, when I was diagnosed with breast cancer last July. A ketogenic diet was strongly suggested to me by my naturopath for the cancer, but he said most people find that impossible to stick with so I should at least try to stay as low-glycemic as possible. I have to say, it was actually completely painless to modify Wheat Belly into a ketogenic program, in a single day. Why so easy? I’m sure it was because I was already off the grains. I have lost another 81 lbs since the end of July, only one pound away from 100 lbs. total. With zero cravings!
Kali wrote: «…when I was diagnosed with breast cancer last July.»
Sorry to hear that. How long had you been doing WB prior to the diagnosis?
Can you tell us what the rest of your treatment strategy is?
«A ketogenic diet was strongly suggested to me by my naturopath for the cancer, but he said most people find that impossible to stick with…»
It’s mostly a matter of discovering useful resources, and staying up to date on developments. I suspect you are aware that there are multiple brands of exogenous ketones now available. You might not know that there is a brand of keto bar available in the US now (Eric Westman’s Adapt). It’s not an ideal product, but might be crucial for someone otherwise at risk of diet failure.
«…it was actually completely painless to modify Wheat Belly into a ketogenic program, in a single day.»
It’s mostly a matter of identifying the WB recipes that hit the desired keto net carb target, which many of them do.
«Why so easy? I’m sure it was because I was already off the grains.»
That’s clearly a huge help.
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Some people have had very good success with keto diets for cancer. Note that the high carb diets probably fuel or perhaps even cause cancer, particularly if one becomes insulin resistant.
You might also try intermittent fasting, as this will also help put you into ketosis. To stay in strict ketosis could be a challenge, as it is easy to get kicked out (it doesn’t take many carbs to get out of it). However, it depends on your situation. I find that if I control everything, it’s easy to stay in ketosis. It’s when I find it hard to control everything, such as on vacation, that it’s hard to stay in ketosis. Many restaurants are based around potatoes, grains, bread, etc. If you don’t eat any of those, it can be difficult at times to get enough to eat. For instance, I had swordfish the other day while out on a “date” (the first one in months) with my wife. The serving of swordfish was maybe 8 ounces at most. When I cook swordfish for myself, I make a piece at least double that size. So, I ate all the potatoes and vegetables on the plate with the swordfish, as I had to to get enough to eat. I did skip the bread, although we had a crab cake appetizer which I’m sure had bread crumbs in it.
BobM wrote: «Some people have had very good success with keto diets for cancer.»
KD is just one of several strategies being employed. Wheat Belly doesn’t yet have any specific advice on treating cancer, but does point out where the WB dietary advice reduces risk. I have a personal opinion on the topic at:
https://www.cureality.com/forum/topics.aspx?ID=18684
«Many restaurants are based around potatoes, grains, bread, etc.»
…drowning in adverse fat, and with recipes loaded with sugar. Even the entrée often presents hazards, being a CAFO meat or farmed fish. Restaurants are a mine field.
«…crab cake appetizer which I’m sure had bread crumbs in it.»
Count on it.
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You know those drug commercials with people looking happy while the side effects are talked about?
We should have one with wheat belly. Having happy people doing what ever, while the good things are talked about when you eliminate wheat.