Gluten is not recommended with inflammatory arthritis

Posted in Medicinal Foods

Gluten is a substance that is very difficult to digest and as we get older this substance becomes even more difficult to digest. This substance is found in foods that most people over dose on each day. Large amounts of gluten is found in wheat, smaller amounts in rye, and much smaller amounts in barley and the least in oats, it stimulates the production of exorphins, opiate chemicals very similar to endorphins. Over time we become addicted to these brain chemicals. Once hooked, going without could leave you feeling very uncomfortable indeed.

Gluten (‘glue’) is very much like chewing gum! Gluten can actually inflame and even damage our digestive lining very easily, impairing our absorption abilities. In its extreme – the disease is called celiac disease (CD). Not that I am suggesting you are celiac, however for a lot of people wheat (which contains the most gluten) is extremely addictive and can cause irritation or damage to the lining of our digestive tract. Once you cut down or remove wheat from your diet you may very well find other foods will be easier to digest, as the lining of your digestive tract improves and off–course so does absorption. It is important that we not only digest our food well, but also absorb the nutrients we need.

Beware of the new low-carbohydrate trend and the ‘low-carb’ foods being touted as healthy. However, they can have very large amounts of gluten being added to them! Wheat is a grain a source of carbohydrate, the gluten is the protein part of the grain. Think of chewing gum and you are close to imagining the texture of gluten! Large amounts of gluten are eaten each and every day. There is nothing to recommend it.

Wheat also contains phytic acid, which blocks the absorption of minerals like calcium and iron. Just think how much wheat you consume each day.

In conclusion – most wheat products are made from refined white flour. Products that have had their nutrients removed, it’s hard to digest, irritates the digestive lining, hinders absorption of nutrients and adding insult to injury we eat it to excess. To slow down aging and deterioration, slow down the amount of wheat you eat, especially in the refined white form.