The "Wheat Belly" diet book by Dr. davis: Pros and cons

[Villages PL]

In his book, "Wheat Belly", Doctor Davis recommends a wheat free diet. And, I think, to a lesser extent he recommends a grain free diet. He doesn't seem to like any grain but targets wheat as being the most harmful because it has been the most genetically modified and is the most consumed grain in the U.S. As he says, "wheat is in everything".

Wheat, he says, can cause IBS, celiac disease and weight problems not to mention many other health issues.

But if that's the case, that grains (especially wheat) are so bad for us, how can the great health and longeviety of Japanese Okinawan elders be explained? A 25 year study of Okinawans, ended around the late 90s, indicated that Okinawan elders ate almost 3 times more grain than Americans. And, for the most part, they were not overweight or obese. Weight was not an issue with them that I ever heard of.

This information comes from the following book: "The Okinawa Program: How The World's Longest-Lived People Achieve Everlasting Health- And How You Can Too"

This book compares the American diet with the Okinawan diet: Americans at that point in time: 11% of their diet (by weight) consisted of grains, whereas 32% of the Okinawan diet consisted of grains.

This being the case, how can grain be the problem?

[quirky3]

Chances are that the Japanese diet is high in rice, which is not GMO wheat, and not excluded in a gluten-free diet.

[BarryRX]

In his book, "Wheat Belly", Doctor Davis recommends a wheat free diet. And, I think, to a lesser extent he recommends a grain free diet. He doesn't seem to like any grain but targets wheat as being the most harmful because it has been the most genetically modified and is the most consumed grain in the U.S. As he says, "wheat is in everything".

Wheat, he says, can cause IBS, celiac disease and weight problems not to mention many other health issues.

But if that's the case, that grains (especially wheat) are so bad for us, how can the great health and longeviety of Japanese Okinawan elders be explained? A 25 year study of Okinawans, ended around the late 90s, indicated that Okinawan elders ate almost 3 times more grain than Americans. And, for the most part, they were not overweight or obese. Weight was not an issue with them that I ever heard of.

This information comes from the following book: "The Okinawa Program: How The World's Longest-Lived People Achieve Everlasting Health- And How You Can Too"

This book compares the American diet with the Okinawan diet: Americans at that point in time: 11% of their diet (by weight) consisted of grains, whereas 32% of the Okinawan diet consisted of grains.

This being the case, how can grain be the problem?

Before it respond let me say that I am a vegan and only eat fruits, plants, and grains, nuts, legumes, so even though I agree that the "Asian" diet is healthier, I don't fully agree with the methodology. I have read others who compare the diets of Asian populations to those of Americans. They certainly make a "connective" link between dietary differences and longevity and certain diseases, but that is not necessarily a "causative" link. We can just as easily say that people who live in countries that have less telephone poles live longer. There is a connection between the two, but one is not the cause of the other. Better studies have been done with Japanese that have emigrated to the United States. Those that adopt a typical American diet soon develop the same western diseases that we have here, namely obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. This is a stronger causative effect because it eliminates most genetic and cultural differences. So, I agree with your premise, just not based on your original circumstance.

[Villages PL]

Chances are that the Japanese diet is high in rice, which is not GMO wheat, and not excluded in a gluten-free diet.

That's a good point, quirky, but they don't eat just rice. The Okinawa food pyramid states: Rice, Noodles, Breads, and other Whole Grains, 7 to 13 servings per day.

[Villages PL]

Post deleted by VPL

[Villages PL]

Before it respond let me say that I am a vegan and only eat fruits, plants, and grains, nuts, legumes, so even though I agree that the "Asian" diet is healthier, I don't fully agree with the methodology. I have read others who compare the diets of Asian populations to those of Americans. They certainly make a "connective" link between dietary differences and longevity and certain diseases, but that is not necessarily a "causative" link. We can just as easily say that people who live in countries that have less telephone poles live longer. There is a connection between the two, but one is not the cause of the other. Better studies have been done with Japanese that have emigrated to the United States. Those that adopt a typical American diet soon develop the same western diseases that we have here, namely obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. This is a stronger causative effect because it eliminates most genetic and cultural differences. So, I agree with your premise, just not based on your original circumstance.

Somehow I don't think we are communicating very well. I wasn't stating that Okinawans are healthier and live longer because they eat 3 time more grain than Americans. No, that wasn't the point. I was simply using the grain comparison to counter what I read in "Wheat Belly". The author's main premise is that wheat, and other grains to a lesser extent, is what's causing all the overweight and other numerous health issues. If that were true, it doesn't seem likely that Okinawans would be healthier while consuming 3 times more grain.

[shcisamax]

Is the wheat in Japan GMO?

[Villages PL]

Is the wheat in Japan GMO?

I don't know. What I do know is that we can get both kinds here in the U.S. but the author of "Wheat Belly" doesn't offer that as a solution. I have some Red Mill Whole Wheat Berries that are organic. The label says they are the same as what people have been eating for over 9,000 years.

I also have Ezekiel bread that's made from a variety of organic whole grain sprouts. He doesn't offer that as a solution either.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I just finished a book called Grain Brain by Dr David Permutter. Dr. Perlmutter is a neurologist and makes a very convincing argument for how damaging grains, especially wheat are to your brain. I feel so much better since almost eliminating grains from my diet.
He also talks about how important fats, including saturated fats and cholesterol are to our bodies.
Wheat Belly will be my next read.
I do have to admit that I am not 100% faithful to this way of eating in that I allow myself a couple of beers or a pizza or some other "treat" a couple of times a month. But I can feel the difference after I consume that stuff.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

That's a good point, quirky, but they don't eat just rice. The Okinawa food pyramid states: Rice, Noodles, Breads, and other Whole Grains, 7 to 13 servings per day.

Okinawans also eat a large quantity of fatty fish and eggs. Also the grains that we have in this country have not only been genetically modified in recent years, but food scientists have been cross pollenating and modifying our grains for fifty years. I don't know if that's the case in Okinawa. Also, many of the noodles that are eaten in Japan are rice noodles.

What is also of concern is the amount of hidden sugar and grains in our foods. There are over 600,000 processed food products sold in the US and over 80% of them contain corn syrup. many also contain corn starch and gluten under different names. I don't know if this is the case in Okinawa.

There are also many, many other factors to be considered when looking at something like this. We're taking a very small area of the world that has moderate temperatures year round. The climate of Okinawa is similar to Florida. The air quality is very good compared to most places. Comparing Okinawa to the US is silly. We have many varying climates and we have some very bad air pollution in our most populated areas. We also have a lot of conveniences that a lot of people on a small island in Japan may not have which means that they might get a lot more exercise than the "average" American. And who knows, maybe if those Okinawan elders eliminated or reduced all those grains in their diet, they might even live longer?

[NotGolfer]

Having been on this way of eating for many months I will say that, for me, it's brought better health! If anyone wants to dialogue with me re: this you may PM me. I don't think it's a fad diet given how many folks are proclaiming better health outcomes after being on it. Dr. Davis also has a blog called Wheat Belly...just go in and subscribe to it for the updates etc. Folks will comment and give their personal testimonies (which I don't think you can refute). I'm reading Grain Brain as well...this book dove-tails quite nicely with the Wheat Belly philosophy.

[coolparrot]

Okinawans also eat a large quantity of fatty fish and eggs. Also the grains that we have in this country have not only been genetically modified in recent years, but food scientists have been cross pollenating and modifying our grains for fifty years. I don't know if that's the case in Okinawa. Also, many of the noodles that are eaten in Japan are rice noodles.

What is also of concern is the amount of hidden sugar and grains in our foods. There are over 600,000 processed food products sold in the US and over 80% of them contain corn syrup. many also contain corn starch and gluten under different names. I don't know if this is the case in Okinawa.

There are also many, many other factors to be considered when looking at something like this. We're taking a very small area of the world that has moderate temperatures year round. The climate of Okinawa is similar to Florida. The air quality is very good compared to most places. Comparing Okinawa to the US is silly. We have many varying climates and we have some very bad air pollution in our most populated areas. We also have a lot of conveniences that a lot of people on a small island in Japan may not have which means that they might get a lot more exercise than the "average" American. And who knows, maybe if those Okinawan elders eliminated or reduced all those grains in their diet, they might even live longer?
You said it most inteligently

[QueenBee1]

I started eating the Wheat Belly way 3 months ago, No wheat, no grains, no sugar, I started after several months of severe Muscle pain, and joint pain, that was totally debilitating, I had heard about this diet reducing inflammation, so I said to myself, why not give it a try, what have you got to lose, after about 1 week on this diet (lifestyle) of eating, as it is not a diet, all my pain was gone, also I sleep better and have lost 12 pounds without effort, Needless to say I am eating this way from now on, as I feel better than I have in years and love how I eat, I eat what I want as much as I want and still lose weight and feel great!

[starflyte1]

Queen Bee, do you eat fresh fruit? Your success is amazing!

[QueenBee1]

Yes, I eat half grapefruit with bacon and eggs or I have half cup berries in a smoothie or with Full fat yogurt, for Breakfast along with Walnuts.

[Villages PL]

William Davis, MD, author of "Wheat Belly, is against wheat/grain consumption for 3 basic reasons:

Reason #1: "An interesting fact: whole wheat bread (glycemic index 72) increases blood sugar as much as or more than table sugar....(glycemic index 59)."

The index of 72 for whole wheat bread and 59 for table sugar is the result of consuming one or the other by itself. And it's important to note that whole wheat bread is made from finely ground flour. The average glycemic index for unground whole kernels of wheat is only about 41. So the glycemic index problem is not the wheat itself but the fact that it's ground into flour to make bread. He never points out that important fact.

Also, the usual way of eating whole wheat bread is to eat it in combination with something else, like cheese, for example. When you combine the glycemic index of whole wheat bread (72) with the glycemic index of cheese (zero), you will get an overall GI index somewhere in between, like 36. He didn't point out that important fact either.

The above, "high glycemic index of wheat", was one of his main objections to consuming wheat and you can see that he didn't tell the whole story. His statement above (in bold print) is true, it's just not the whole truth.

Reason #2: Wheat has been genetically modified.

Genetically modified wheat might be a problem for some people but organic (unmodified) wheat is available, along with most other grains.

Reason # 3: Grains have only been available for consumption since the beginning of agriculture and therefore our digestive systems have not had time to adapt. (i.e., to gluten etc..)

This is an interesting point, and may have some validity, but he doesn't apply it consistently. In addition to grain, dairy has only been around since the beginning of agriculture, yet he recommends it. Then there are so many other items like oils, and factory farmed meats and eggs. Grain fed beef, for example, bears little resemblance, nutritionally, to the wild game that was eaten before agriculture. The result being that the consumption of saturated fat was much lower then than it is now.

Even when we "cut back" on saturated fat in the 80s our consumption was higher than it was before agriculture. The 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and beyond saw tremendous growth in fast food (fatty hamburger and pizza) restaurants. We saw increased consumption of both processed grains and fatty meats together. But Doctor Davis only noticed the increase in grain consumption.

[starflyte1]

Thank you, Queen Bee.