Modern Wheat: Staff of Life or... Staff of Cancer? Death?

Admittedly, stopping wheat was the last part of TYP regimen that I embraced. It's also perhaps the H-A-R-D-E-S-T. Wheat is ubiquitious as a convenient and delicious food component (which makes up the largest tier of the USDA food pyramid and a half-tier of the Harvard healthy eating pyramid). Don't we need wheat for life? Well, after nearly one month now of (near) complete wheat cessation (cheated with 1-2 chocolate croissants aaannnnddd... a few beers, irresistible bread pudding and slices of Ezekiel), I have to say, there is life after wheat. No one died. No one had seizures or delirium tremens. No one even puked.

Now my kids are a different story -- they still occasionally whine when they don't get their pizza, PB&J or penne pasta from Pasta Pomodoro, our (former) favorite restaurant. It turns out that potential replacements do exist (on earth)! Whole Foods Market (aka $$$ 'Whole WALLET') does have a gluten-free pizza shell in the frozen gluten-free area that is purportedly tasty. Rice noodles or mung bean noodles just are the same as penne pasta . . . How about a suitable vehicle for peanut butter & jelly. . . ? we're still figuring that out... any thoughts are welcome!

Why are Wheat-grains so filthy and abominable in the Track Your Plaque plan for atherosclerosis stabilization and regression? Sounds so blasphemous doesn't it? Like cursing food of the gods? Wheat helped potentially grow the Roman empire (by supplying their soldier-class with a convenient portable energy source) and build world wonders like the Egyptian pyramids 3rd century BC. In modern times, why does it represent so many chronic diseases and ailments? Wheat is currently linked to all the below conditions. Acute sudden death does not generally occur (nor does anaphylaxis or other fatal reactions like scurvy or beri beri) however the death is chronic, very very slow, mildly painful, taking decades.
--celiac sprue
--'silent' celiac sprue
--autoimmune diseases -- most arthritis syndromes (?even OA/DJD), Type 1 diabetes, Hashimoto's hypothyroidism, Grave's hyperthyroidism, lupus, multiple sclerosis, ?asthma
--infertility
--PCOS
--NASH/NAFLD
--gallbladder disease
--primary biliary
--lymphoma
--colon cancer
--pancreatic cancer, other cancers
--eczema, acne, psoriasis
--systemic inflammation
--et cetera

Can our daily bread be causing cancer? People are in disbelief that the staff of life can be the strongest factor in (!!) infertility and crippling arthritis... 'Don't we need fiber?' as if I've suggested something sacreligious. 'Aren't we supposed have whole grains at every meal?'

I used to feel the same way too until I was witness to testimonials.

I'm more of a true believer now for complete wheat cessation after hearing not only amazing stories that Dr. Davis has frequently blogged about at HEARTSCANBLOG but witnessing some personal amazing stories from people who have stopped wheat completely in their lives for only 2 to 4 weeks.

• decrease or elimination of 30-50 units insulin daily
• reduction in pain from arthritis
• decrease or cessation of pain and arthritis medications
• improvement in vitality, energy and youthfulness
• acne improvement or resolution
• skin showing glowing clarity and smoothness, eczema-free
• easy weight loss 10-15 lbs (women) or 20-30 lbs (men who typically start with more lean tissue mass than women)
• chronic pain syndromes
• improvement in neuropathic pain syndromes
• hypertension decrease or normalization

Many parts of the TYP plan promote heart protection as well as cancer prevention. Wheat cessation is just one part of this ultimate optimum health guarantee. Other critical components which clinical studies have shown to promote prevention and regression of cancer include:
--fish oil omega-3 PUFAs EPA + DHA (high dose and ultra high dose)
--elimination of pro-inflammatory omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (cheap industrial veggie oils like safflower, sunflower, cottonseed, canola, etc)
--excessive fructose (the carb in fruit and starches like corn)
--elimination of trans fats and fructose/high-fructose-corn-syrup
--normalization and optimization of steroid hormones: vitamins A/D/E/K2, B-complex, C, micronutrients (Zn, MAGNESIUM, Se, Cu, etc), Estrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone, DHEA, Thyroid, et cetera
--daily exercise/movement/play + occasional intensive bursts ('sex' counts!)
--OPTIMISM

Wheat, the staff of slow painful death... and cancer. Stop wheat products now for elite health and fitness.

Consider trying wheat cessation for 1-2 wks -- you may be surprised by the results just as I was!