Wheat and Grains | Foodfacts.com

Do you find it difficult to eat certain foods such as wheat and grains without experiencing bloating, embarrassing gas, stomach cramps and diarrhea?

Foodfacts.com observes that it took scientists and researchers decades to discover why a certain food could make one person feel good, yet that same food could trigger numerous health problems in another person. Sticky proteins called lectins—which make up part of a plant’s natural immune system—have been found to be the root cause of most all digestive distress.

Your genetic make-up determines how and to what degree lectins affect you, and this explains why food allergies often run in the family. “Many food allergies are actually immune system reactions to lectins,” according to the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

And the most common lectin protein found in wheat, rye, barley and oats is gluten. Gluten is also in foods containing these grains such as beer, grain-based alcohols, mayonnaise and grain vinegar. If you’re gluten-sensitive and you ingest any of these foods, your digestive tract may go haywire and you could experience…

* Headaches, poor concentration and brain fog.
* Skin problems such as itchiness, eczema and acne.
* Weight gain, bloating and puffiness around the eyes.
* Constant fatigue.
* Repeatedly clearing your throat and excess mucus buildup.
* Joint stiffness, discomfort and inflammation.
* Upset stomach, cramping, excessive belching and embarrassing gas.

If you believe you have a gluten sensitivity, you should ask your doctor to check you for “anti-gliadin antibodies and endomysium antibodies.” If either test comes back positive, you should request a “celiac panel” to rule out other serious digestive problems.

And in the meantime, you should take supplements that can help you combat the effects of the gluten on your health. Helpful supplements include bladderwrack, N-acetyl glucosamine (NAG), D-mannose, mucins, pepsin and sodium alginate.

Another wise step is to carefully monitor the ingredients within the foods you like to eat. It’s useful to SCORE your foods using the very useful and innovative Food Facts Health Score. You can use it immediately with FREE membership at Foodfacts.com. Join today.

Source:        Dr. Michael Cutler via Healthier Talk.com

Image:         Health Banquet