How Gluten and Grain-Based Foods are Harming Your Brain
You may already know that foods which contain gluten and grains can have harmful effects on your digestive system and immune function. But you may not know that these so-called "healthy" staples can also affect your brain.
According to an editorial in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, your brain may suffer from the effects of gluten - even in the absence of any noticeable gastrointestinal problems.
This means you could feel fine after indulging in pizza, pasta, cereal or bread - while gluten is silently taking its toll on your brain.
But how?
Researchers have conclusively shown that the brain and the gut are intricately linked to one another. This is why the digestive system is often called "the second brain".
And the important thing to remember is that...
What Happens In The Gut... Doesn't Stay In The Gut!
During digestion, gluten is broken into small proteins (called exorphins) that cross the blood-brain barrier. These proteins bind to morphine receptors, producing the feel-good sensation we associate with comfort foods. But that's not all...
They also cause an onslaught of inflammation throughout the body.
Inflammation in the brain can present itself as foggy thinking, difficulty communicating and finding the right words, headaches, depression and other mental maladies. Over time, this same inflammation can cause permanent damage to the brain, contributing to dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
In fact, according to research cited in The Gluten Syndrome: A Neurological Disease, it is the central nervous system - not the gut - that is the primary site of gluten damage. This is because of the unique and destructive way that it interferes with the body's neural networks.
Protect Your Brain with a Paleo Diet
The average person today consumes a towering 133 pounds of wheat per year. Yet, despite its prevalence in our modern diet, this is a food that is largely foreign to our ancestral genetics. It is not just a coincidence that the rates of dementia and Alzheimer's have continued to climb.
If you wish to reduce the brain inflammation associated with chronic disease and cognitive decline, I urge you to follow a grain-free diet which emulates that of your ancestors.
In future articles, I'll tell you about several other foods you should avoid to protect your brain, as well as the delicious foods, spices, herbs and surprising "supernutrients" that can provide significant protection for your brain.
To Making (and Keeping!) Precious Memories,
Kelley Herring
Healing Gourmet
P.S. The best way to start your day is with protein and healthy fats... These are the foods that fuel your brain and body best and keep you feeling full for hours.
But the truth is, most people severely underestimate how much protein they get in a day—especially women. One in 3 adults aren’t getting the recommended amount of protein...
>> Top 7 Signs You May Not Be Getting Enough Protein
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