Wheat Belly

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Posted on January 31, 2012 by Amy_Dungan in blog, Health, Low-Carb, Recipes and Reviews, Research

Most of us living the low-carb lifestyle can tell you that wheat isn’t as healthy as the mainstream nutritional experts would like us to think. If asked why we believe so, many would say because of the effect wheat has on insulin. Then there are the dangers to those with Celiac’s Disease or gluten senstivities. But there is a suprising side to this debate that I fear too many don’t know about. I learned all about this in the eye-opening book Wheat Belly by Dr. William Davis.

Wheat Belly gives us the history of wheat. While that may not sound terribly interesting, I assure you it is. Especially if you are concerned about hybydized foods. You’ll learn all about the modifications made to wheat in the last few decades, and how it effects human health. One surprising fact, for me, was how much insect repellent/weed killer ended up in today’s wheat supply. I orginally had this process wrong, so I asked Dr. Davis to clarify, since I thought it was genetically modified. Here’s what he said:

“Wheat was changed employing techniques that were crude, tough to control, less precise than modern genetic modification. In short, wheat was changed using techniques that were far WORSE than genetic modification. That’s how bad this thing is.”

So wheat was hybridized using primitive methods, with the intentions making the wheat supply hardier. Round-Up anyone?

Dr. Davis talks about the other properties in wheat, besides gluten, that can cause health problems. He lays out the groundwork to show us that wheat can effect a variety of body functions. From intestinal inflammation, to schizophrenia, wheat can contribute to a large number of problems. Ever hear someone say “But I could NEVER give up my bread!”? That’s because they are addicted. Wheat has unique effects on the brain and nervous system, creating a “high” of sorts. You’ll also learn how wheat stimulates the appetite, not a good thing when you want to lose weight.

Other amazing information in ths book include facts about wheat and ph balance, diabetes, aging and heart disease. Then of course you’ll get to the really good stuff – how to quit wheat, or as Dr. Davis terms it, a radical wheat-ectomy. He then lays out a nutritonal approach to help you improve your health and kick wheat to the curb for good. You’ll find recipes and menu plans as well, which is always a plus in any book.

I especially like Appendix A, where Dr. Davis shares a list of foods that are the most common wheat offenders. Some foods on that list will surprise you! And where would this book be with out it’s scientific backing? So thankfully all us science nerds can happily immerse ourselves in several pages of references, which back up all the claims made in Wheat Belly.

Not only is this a very informative, and possibly life-changing book – it’s also well written in Dr. Davis’ unique style. It wasn’t dry at all, which can’t alway be said of books on this topic.

Wheat Belly by Dr. William Davis
Information
Dr. Davis shares an abundance of information that can be useful for making nutritional decisions.

Ease of Reading
While full of scientific jargon, Dr. Davis does a good job of keeping the main points in layman terms.

Availabilty
This book is easily available online. If you are fortunate enough to still have a bookstore in your area, I'd venture you'll find it there too. I have not seen this book in department or big box stores.

Price
At an average price range of $15 - $20, it's a pretty good deal for all the info you get.

Overall
I highly recommend this book. It should certinaly be part of your low-carb library.

Disclosure: I was provided this book free of charge in order to review it. It in no way affected my opinion of the book.

Post Tagged with book, celiecs disease, Dr. William Davis, gluten, Health, Low-Carb, Research, review, Weight Loss, Wheat Belly

If you enjoyed this article please consider sharing it!

http://www.facebook.com/people/William-Davis/597714058 William Davis

Hi, Amy–

Thank you for your kind comments!

However, I would like to link to your post, but Facebook blocks because of something called go2cloud.org. Is there a way to fix?

Thanks!
http://www.healthylowcarbliving.com Amy Dungan

Hi Dr. Davis,

This is a problem I’ve been having for a week or so now. I’m trying to find the source of the issue. I think I know what it is, and am working on it now. So hopefully I can get it fixed asap. I’ll let you know as soon as it’s working. Thanks!
DebiPT

What I like the best about Dr Davis’ style of writing is that he not only gives the citations for where he gets his information, but he doesn’t take anything out of context (from the original study)! I find that his way of presenting the information was easy to read, but still pressed my geek button just enough to really enjoy the book! Even if I hadn’t already gone grain-free, after reading his book, I’d be gluten/wheat-free!! Truly made me understand the extent to which wheat and gluten damages our bodies, far beyond the gut and pancreas! EXCELLENT book!!
http://twitter.com/Gyrobobb Robert W. Rominger

I’ve read the book and can corroborate Amy’s review. I adopted the system a few months ago. The results are widely varied and impressive, ranging from weight loss to blood pressure to skin improvement to heart disease factors. There’s not enough room here to adequately describe all the benefits.

One remarkable difference with this system is how easy it is to stay on it. For most people, after a few days (a few weeks for some), the appetite genuinely starts decreasing. No kidding. You REALLY don’t feel like eating a lot of food anymore. Every other “diet” I’ve tried involves a lot of self-discipline to stay the course, so,… eventually most people stray. Not here. You simply don’t care about pigging out anymore. Hunger pangs completely go away. It feels quite liberating.

I feel like a book salesman or some sort of a nutritional evangelist sometimes, because I have had such impressive results. So, sorry if this sounds too promotional. For the first time in my life I have bought brand new hard back books just to give to people I want to influence (relatives, MDs, friends, etc.).
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1515322932 Ruby Szuter

I wish all my friends and family would read this review and then read the book !
http://www.facebook.com/darleenmb Darleen Michael-Baker

Just one correction. You gave the implication that wheat has been genetically modified. It has not been. Dr. Davis makes that quite clear in the book. It has been HYBRIDIZED which means no controls, no testing, no nothing by any governmental agencies.

And I would highly recommend this book to anyone concerned with their health and the health of their family. Wheat is absolutely unfit for human consumption.
MaxMom

I’ve given it to 5 relatives already and know just how you feel!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=651461048 Karri Tougas

I gave up wheat, sugar and dairy in October and I have lost 45 pounds as of today. My husband has lost 20.

It’s completely true what Mr. Rominger says, you eat way less. It’s the easiest way to diet because I’m not even hungry anymore!!

I’m healthier than I’ve ever been. Most of my joint pain is gone. My skin is clear. I’m sleeping better.
http://www.healthylowcarbliving.com Amy Dungan

It’s hard not to share when you are so excited about something. It’s what caused me to start this blog to begin with. I was just so excited about all I was learning! Good for you on buying books to share. I’ve done that myself and it’s a great feeling knowing you are helping others. :)
http://www.healthylowcarbliving.com Amy Dungan

Thank you Darleen. I’ll fix that above.
http://www.healthylowcarbliving.com Amy Dungan

I feel the same Ruby. It’s hard to convince people sometimes.
http://www.healthylowcarbliving.com Amy Dungan

Exactly Debi! I was also already wheat free, but Wheat Belly just strengthened my resolve to stay away from wheat for good.
http://www.healthylowcarbliving.com Amy Dungan

Congrats Karri! That is fantastic!!!
Awhit18

I was just going to make the same point about the error in this article and thought I’d check first to see if any other readers caught it – thanks! I would like to make a note that there has been virtually no testing of GMO foods on the health effects on humans either, though your post implies that this is the main difference between hybridized and GMO.
http://www.healthylowcarbliving.com Amy Dungan

Awesome! Someday they will thank you for it!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=651461048 Karri Tougas

I also should mention that I was on medication for stomach issues and I no longer have to take any medication. My blood pressure has gone down as well.

Now, I know that is weight related. However, I would never have lost the weight, if I hadn’t given up wheat!

I went for my physical in January and everything was GREAT!

As well, my moods are much better. I’m less irritable. I don’t suffer from sugar lows. I’m happier. :)
http://www.healthylowcarbliving.com Amy Dungan

I had stomach issues as well, and acid reflux. I was miserable. Removing the offending foods fixed all that. Not too long ago I tried something with wheat in it and those problems came rushing back. I’m convinced it’s the wheat.
Cindy Maurer

I cannot SHUT UP about this book!!!! I have NEVER felt so passionate about anything in my life!!! ”Wheat Belly” lets me take control of my own health! I am looking forward to the day when I can get off of , if not all, at least most of my medications!
http://www.healthylowcarbliving.com Amy Dungan

Good for you! Just keep at it!
http://www.DebtFreeAdventure.com/ Matt

Hi Amy, any fix on this FB spam go2cloud.org issue? I’m having the same problem sharing links to my FB page and could use the insight. Thanks.
http://www.healthylowcarbliving.com Amy Dungan

Hi Matt,

I thought I had the issue fixed. Shoot. I have no idea why it’s doing this. I’ll look into it again. So sorry!
http://www.DebtFreeAdventure.com/ Matt

No, I’m having the problem on my own website and FB page and was wondering how/if you solved it.
http://www.healthylowcarbliving.com Amy Dungan

Oh I see. Mine turned out to be an issue with an affiliate program I was working with. Once I removed all the links, it was fine. This program was through hasoffersdotcom I think. If you have an affilate who uses them, you might want to check that out first.
http://www.DebtFreeAdventure.com/ Matt

That helps Amy, I’ll check it out. Thanks!

Wheat Belly

Disclosure: I was provided this book free of charge in order to review it. It in no way affected my opinion of the book.

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