Wheat and Other Grains

Viewers often ask me questions about the different types of wheat and which grains are safe to eat. Get ready for a grain of truth.

Is the problem wheat, all grains, or specifically gluten? Let’s break it down.

None of us have the enzymes to break down wheat thoroughly. Think of protein like a pearl necklace. Hydrochloric acid made in your stomach undoes the clasp of the pearl necklace. Now you have a string of pearls. It’s your enzymes produced by the pancreas, the gallbladder, the liver, and the microbiota in your gut that act as scissors to cut that pearl necklace into smaller clumps.

There are clumps of the pearl necklace — a 33 pearl clump, a 19 pearl clump, and a 17 pearl clump. Some of them are called “gluten clumps.” Some of them are called “gluteomorphins.” Some of them are called “gliadins.” Some of them are called “amylase trypsin inhibitors.” Some of them are called “wheat germ agglutinin.” There are many different clumps of the pearl necklace. That’s the best that the human body can do.

We can’t break them down into each pearl of the pearl necklace, called “amino acids.” It might be gluten from the gluten clumps of the pearl necklace. It might be the gluteomorphin clumps of the pearl necklace. It could be a number of different clumps of the pearl necklace. But it’s wheat!

We think gluten is the culprit. Gluten is a primary culprit from poorly digested wheat, but there are many different types. That’s the thing about gluten and about grains in general.

Some doctors advocate eliminating all grains. This is not a bad concept. When people do that, they usually feel much, much better. I don’t recommend that to start with. It’s more difficult eating that way.

If you have the elevated antibody for wheat germ agglutinin, going grain-free is rational. If your body is reacting with elevated antibodies to wheat germ agglutinin, it is probably best for you to go grain-free because all grains are high in lectins. At least for a period of time it could really expedite your healing. The tests are a great way to check to see if lectins should be removed from your diet. Both the Wheat Zoomer and Cyrex Array 3 include the marker “wheat germ agglutinin.” These are tests that drill down into which foods you are sensitive to.

Otherwise, we recommend wheat-free, dairy-free, sugar-free. Then all of the possible hidden exposures to wheat, like grains that may have cross contamination through shared facilities. If they’re certified gluten-free, you should be fine. I like people to have a little grain.

If you don’t improve, then the next step would be go grain-free.

Spelt and kamut

Spelt and kamut are also in the toxic family of gluten, so you should definitely avoid them.

Can You Eat Corn?

Over 90% of corn is GMO corn. Nobody should be eating genetically modified corn. E3 Advanced Plus has digestive enzymes that help you break down wheat, and they can also break down over 60% of the Bt toxin in GMO corn. Some people with a sensitivity to corn are only sensitive to GMO corn because of the sensitivity to the Bt toxin. They can eat organic corn fine. Other people may not.

If you can eat corn, only buy corn and foods made with corn that is organic. There is a Corn Zoomer test that can determine specifically which type of problem you may have to corn, if any. If you don’t have a problem with corn, many people use corn as an alternative grain in a gluten-free diet.

Does Rice Have Gluten?

Gluten is not bad for you. Bad gluten is bad for you. There’s gluten in rice, corn, quinoa, and most grains. But it’s the gluten proteins in wheat, rye, and barley that are nasty for everyone.

Some people are sensitive to the gluten proteins in rice. The proteins in rice for everyone are not a problem. You may be sensitive to rice.

The gluten contained in rice is only a problem for some people. In rice, you also have to worry about arsenic because the rice grows in water. It sits in water all the time, and unfortunately, the irrigation water that we use in this country, and many places around the world, has lots of residue from insecticides and pesticides that are high in arsenic. Always shop organic whenever possible, as it reduces the likelihood of contaminants in your food.

“What about oats?”

When oats grow out of the ground, there’s no toxic gluten in them. When you buy oats off the shelf, there’s toxic gluten in them. The cross-contamination comes from the trucks that transport the oats that previously transported wheat. The trucks don’t get cleaned out, so trace amounts of gluten are left behind. If you’re shopping for certified gluten-free oats, they should be generally safe unless you have a sensitivity to oats. But for all of us, we should only be eating certified gluten-free oats — we don’t want exposure to wheat ever. Ever. Because in everyone, wheat will tear the lining of the gut. Everyone.

“I’ve heard that wheat in Europe is different.?”

If people have gut problems, bloating, gas, and/or gut pain when they eat wheat in the US and then go to Europe and eat the wheat there without suffering from gut problems, they say, “Oh, I’m fine. I can eat wheat. It’s no problem.” They come back to the US, and they eat wheat, and they get gut problems again. So, they start thinking the wheat in Europe is safe for them.

Not true. The vast majority of people that have gut reactions to wheat is not because of the proteins in wheat. It’s because of the FODMAPs in wheat, the fermentable carbohydrates. They also have the immune response, which triggers all the systemic problems, but the gut symptoms are usually from the FODMAPs.

The strains of wheat that are grown and used in Europe are much lower in FODMAP content. This means you can eat the wheat in Europe and not have gut problems because of it, but if you’ve crossed the line, and you have elevated antibodies to wheat, you still get that immune response with the wheat in Europe just like you would with the wheat in the United States.

When in Rome…

There seems to be a lot of consciousness in Italy about being gluten-free.

In Italy, if you want gluten-free food, you can go to the pharmacy and order gluten-free croissants, gluten-free pasta, or gluten-free biscotti. They’ll have it for you the next day- fresh. The government there gives credit. There are 37 centers in Italy that are certified by the government. If you get a diagnosis of a gluten-related disorder from one of the certified centers, your food bills are tax deductible.

Is Sourdough Safe to Consume?

I wish I could eat sourdough. I love sourdough. There are people saying “Well, when you eat sourdough, the proteins are easier to digest. So they should be okay.”

What’s the magic word in that phrase? Should. And the answer is “No. They’re not.”

Papers show that fermenting the dough does make it easier to digest. Still, if you have Memory B cells, you produce the antibodies. You activate the antibodies. You cannot fool Mother Nature. They’re trying. They’re really trying. They’re trying different sourdoughs. They’re putting enzymes in there when they’re making the sourdough, to see if they can partially break some of these proteins down ahead of time. But there’s nothing out there yet.

I do remember sourdough being amazing, but I don’t wish for any of the symptoms that came from those gluten days. It’s just not worth it. Just remember right now, if you’re struggling with this concept of giving up gluten, it’s so worth it. Besides that, all the cool people are gluten-free.

Wheatgrass is a food or a product that I often find my clients using, and it may be the reason why they’re still having elevated enzymes on the Wheat Zoomer or Cyrex Array 3X.

The Hippocrates Institute has been around for maybe 30 years or more. People go there when they’re really sick, and they get great results. They use a lot of wheatgrass juice. The problem is not at the Hippocrates Institute where they grow and harvest the wheatgrass. The problem is the commercial wheatgrass juice — somewhere between day 15 to day 17 of these little wheatgrass sprouts, the genes start producing protein. So if you harvest your wheatgrass juice around day 11, day 12, you may be safe. There’s not going to be any protein in it. There’s all the healing energy, the enzymes and the chlorophylls.

The green of wheatgrass is the life-giving force, which is one of the reasons why the Hippocrates Institute gets such great results — they grow their own wheatgrass, and they harvest it, I’m assuming, before day 15. That’s the issue with wheatgrass, and why you can’t buy the commercial wheatgrass. If you want to do wheatgrass, it’s great. It’s got a lot of healing benefits. I suggest growing and pressing your wheatgrass yourself, that way you can be sure you’re harvesting it at its optimal point for you.

Most people are sensitive to the proteins of poorly digested wheat, but some people are sensitive to the wheat amylase/trypsin inhibitors. They’re sensitive to the FODMAPs, which are the carbohydrates, so it’s not just the gluten proteins.

If someone is sensitive to the proteins of poorly digested wheat, harvesting wheatgrass around day 11 is probably going to be safe for you. On the other hand, if someone is sensitive to the wheat amylase/trypsin inhibitors, which is another compound in wheat, it causes clots. It’s been associated with strokes, unexplained miscarriages, thrombosis, and many other different conditions. If that’s the case, you can’t have wheatgrass at all. So, be really careful.

A Safer Alternative to Wheatgrass

I suggest using the GS Immuno Greens products that we sell on the website. It doesn’t have wheatgrass or barley grass. Some people are really sensitive to gluten, and cannot do wheatgrass at all — in any stage of the growing process. It depends on where you are on this gluten-related disorder spectrum.

I use GS Immuno Greens in my smoothie. It’s really high in the ORAC value, which stands for the oxygen radial absorptive capacity, meaning it’s like a sponge. They soak up the free radicals in our body from all the toxic stuff we’re exposed to. It’s really great to use this powder. I put a scoop of that in my smoothie with a scoop of colostrum in there at the same time. Kids love it. It’s really tasty. It doesn’t have sugar, but it’s very flavorful. Just the fruit concentrates that are in it sweeten the drink.

There’s berry. There’s espresso. There’s chocolate, and they’re all certified gluten-free, so the company has done all the research, the double testing on that, which is great.

Test. Don’t Guess.

Do you know if you have elevated antibodies? Which ones? What to? You don’t know what you don’t know. Find out so you can properly address the right corrections in your diet.

I always recommend starting with the Wheat Zoomer test. Then check out the Grain Zoomer, Corn Zoomer, and Lectin Zoomer to get a baseline on where you stand with the grains you are eating (or avoiding). Check out our Zoomer Bundles to save on multiple Zoomer tests.

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Agave

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Maral Root

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Guarana

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Reishi Mushroom

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Astragalus Root

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Asian Licorice Root

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American Ginseng

American Ginseng, a revered herb, is prized for its potential to contribute to overall well-being. With adaptogenic properties, it may assist the body in managing stress and maintaining harmony. American Ginseng has also been associated with promoting mental alertness, healthy energy levels, and supporting the immune system.

Rhodiola Rosea

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Peruvian Maca

Peruvian Maca, a nutrient-packed root, is celebrated for its potential to enhance overall well-being. Known for its adaptogenic qualities, Maca may help the body manage stress and maintain balance. This powerful root has also been associated with promoting healthy energy levels, endurance, and supporting hormonal balance.

Schisandra Fruit

Schisandra Fruit, a unique berry, is renowned for its potential to contribute to overall wellness. Boasting adaptogenic properties, it may help the body adapt to stress and maintain equilibrium. Schisandra Fruit has also been linked to promoting healthy energy levels, mental clarity, and supporting the body’s natural defense

Acai

Acai, a nutrient-dense berry, is recognized for its potential to enhance overall well-being. Rich in antioxidants, Acai may help support the body’s defenses against environmental stressors, while promoting healthy energy levels and vitality.

Himalayan Goji

Himalayan Goji, a nutrient-rich fruit, is valued for its potential contribution to overall wellness. This superfood is believed to support the immune system, promote healthy energy levels, and aid in maintaining balance within the body. With its antioxidant properties, Himalayan Goji may help protect cells from environmental stressors.

Gotu Kola

The main group of components in gotu kola is the triterpenes including asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic acid, and madecassic acid, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that are shown to positively influence brain plasticity which means a much sharper you.

  • Exhibits significant wound healing ability, Improves microcirculatory parameters, Sedative and anxiolytic properties, Antidepressant, Re-vitalize the brain and nervous system, increase attention span and concentration and combat aging: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3116297/

Water Hyssop

Best known as a neural tonic and memory enhancer this powerful herb increases cerebral blood flow and neurotransmitter modulation.

Green Tea Extract

Healthy energy producer and one of the more researched and promising supplements. It upregulates fat metabolism at rest and during exercise. In recent years the consumption of Green Tea Extract has shown to help prevent lifestyle diseases like cardiovascular disease because of it’s preventative effects on chronic inflammation.

  • Helps with weight loss by increasing a protein hormone which is involved in regulating glucose levels as well
    as fatty acid breakdown:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26093535/
  • Decrease cholesterol absorption and plasma levels, has strong free radical-scavenging
    activity inhibiting LDL oxidation, reduce the adhesion molecule expression, has antitrombotic activities by inhibiting platelet aggregation:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15969262/ 

Mikania Guaco

“Guaco” is Sun Horse Energy founder Dan Moriarty’s favorite herb, and the reason why he’s still alive. Traditionally, it’s a well-known herb for snake bites, scorpion stings and other venomous creatures. Guaco acts as a non-steroidal bronchodilator, meaning it opens up the airways without steroids. As a result of guaco opening up the airways, the alveoli (tiny air sacs in the lungs) are better able to accept oxygen transfer and get rid of carbon dioxide. In Brazil, Guaco syrup is one of the most popular herbal medicines used to treat the symptoms of asthmatic bronchitis, cough and hoarseness.


Osha Root

A traditional Native American herb, Osha is also known as “Bear Root”. Native Americans noticed that when bears emerged from hibernation, the first thing they did after being in a state of torpor for 4 months was not feast on salmon or drink water, but rather, dig up osha and eat it. Why? It decongests and wakes up the lungs. Native Americans who used Osha were able to run further, and treat their colds and congestion. Modern research studies suggest Osha may support the immune system by offering protective effects against oxidative damage.

I want to thank you for your existence. I want you to know that functional medicine has changed my life, well the life of my autistic son. So much so that I plan on taking the Functional Medicine Health Coach Certificate and work with my new friend who is now a Functional Medicine Doctor from the Institute of Functional Medicine and spread the word on GI testing and how finding the underlying issues will help eliminate autistic traits. 

I hope to be able to meet you one day so I can share this great news with others. Changing my son’s diet has changed him. Food is medicine!! By the way, I’m cooking my rutabaga. I’m Italian and never grew up with these. With love.

Rita Mastrangelo

I found you on YouTube a couple of weeks ago and I’m hooked. I listen to you a couple of hours every morning. I am being tested for celiac disease and have been gluten-free for a couple of weeks. Thank you for all of your insight.

April Renee

Just wanted to tell you that you’re amazing! You are helping so many people all over the world! Including me! Thank you so very much, Dr. Tom O’Bryan!

Patricia Puddle

Good morning Dr. Tom, Would just like to say thank you! This time last year I was going through a hell of a time with my gut. Terrible indigestion on a regular basis, feeling as if I had eaten a boulder and the tiredness was doing my heed (scottish for head) in! With two young girls being tired is not an option!

I went to the doctors on a number of occasions and they decided to prescribe omeprazole to mask the problem, sorry help my problem. I decided taking these drugs was not an option for me! So I started googling the life out of it!! Low and behold you started popping up!! Oh and Gluten intolerance! 

Your advice has been second to none! You have in my case really simplified what gluten does to my body and now that I have cut it out (which as it appears in lots of foods, some I can’t understand) I have found that my symptoms very quickly reduced and now I’m a year down the line they have gone for the vast majority of the time!! For that I’m truly grateful. I now follow you on YouTube and Instagram, which continues to educate me and the importance of gut health. I look forward to your future advice. Yours faithfully,

Gary Christie

Black Ant Extract

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Siberian Ginseng

This well known adaptogen has been proven to reduce cardiovascular stress, lower and stabilize blood sugar to healthy levels, and encourages a more efficient lipid metabolism.

Pine Bark Extract

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Lion's Mane

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Nattokinase

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Shatavari

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Chaste Tree Berry

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Cordyceps

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  • Immunomodulatory, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities, promotion of endurance capacity, and learning-memory improvement, can be used to treat conditions such as hyposexuality, night sweats, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, asthenia, arrhythmias, and other heart, respiratory, renal and liver diseases: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3924981/
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Ginkgo Biloba

In recent decades, an extract of the leaves of the tree Ginkgo biloba L. has been used to improve memory in disorders like Dementia disorders that affect memory and intellectual functioning, and are caused primarily by Alzheimer’s disease and vascular disorders.

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  • Experimental results showed extracts of G.Biloba to upregulate protein expressions of BDNF:
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Jiaogulan

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