Why is Wheat Such a Problem in the Modern Diet?By Catherine J. Frompovich First and foremost, we ought to realize that wheat grown today is a hybridized version of heirloom wheat during the early 20th century. Einkorn [1], which probably was the oldest variety of wheat known and grown for thousands of years, has fallen out of favor even though it contains a lower percentage of gluten. According to Tropical Traditions article, Einkorn Ancient Grain, Since einkorn is such an ancient grain and the only known diploid classified variety of wheat still known to exist today, there has been considerable interest in the issue of gluten toxicity. One way of measuring gluten toxicity is by the gliadin to glutenin ratio, and einkorn has a much more favorable ratio than modern wheat varieties. Einkorn has a gliadin to glutenin ratio of 2:1 compared to 0.8:1 for durum and hard red wheat. While this lower gluten ratio may hold some promise for gluten intolerance disorders, it should be cautioned that einkorn DOES contain gluten, and so those desiring to avoid all gluten are NOT recommended to consume einkorn. [1] Gliadin is another classification of proteins in grains, e.g., wheat, whereas glutenin is the major protein in wheat (47%). Gluten is an elastic-like protein remaining after the starches are washed away. Numerous vegetarian meats are made with Seitan [2]. As Tropical Traditions explains, Einkorn has a gliadin to glutenin ratio of 2:1 compared to 0.8:1 for durum and hard red wheat. Old Ways Whole Grains Council says [3], Different types of wheat have different numbers of chromosomes, and some studies show that the older wheats, with fewer chromosomes, tend to have lower levels of gliadins, the type of gluten proteins that seem to cause most sensitivities. Einkorn, the oldest known type of wheat in our current food supply, has just 14 chromosomes, and is called a diploid wheat. Durum wheat (the kind most often used for pasta) and emmer are tetraploid wheats, with 28 chromosomes. Common wheat (used for most everything) and spelt have 42 chromosomes and are known as hexaploid wheats. Research shows that different tetraploid and hexaploid wheat varieties differ widely in gliadin levels, and its possible to select individual genotypes with less Celiac Disease-immunogenic potential. Some heirloom wheat varieties grew very tall and were not manageable for industrial farming practices, so newer varieties were developed in the 1950s and 1960s by Norman Borlaug, father of the Green Revolution. He [Borlaug] pioneered new improved species of semi-dwarf wheat that, together with complimenting fertilizers and pesticides, increased yield spectacularly. This amazing new farming technology was propagated around the world by companies like Dupont and Monsanto, while mid-20th-century humanity applauded the end of hunger. [4] Furthermore, So lets reject the profound genetic changes in modern wheat, in favour of traditional species our bodies recognize. Lets reject the chemical fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides and pesticides of modern industrial farming in favour of organic farming and clean seed. [4] Thats only half of the story regarding whats happened to wheat! So, what else goes on with wheat? Shortly before harvesting wheatabout 3 days, farmers routinely spray the crop with Roundup [5] since glyphosateits main componentis considered to be a desiccant that enables a more evenly ripened crop harvest, plus less work for farmers, or so its been said. Not only is wheat sprayed with Roundup pre-harvest, so are the following crops: Oats, non-GMO canola, flax, peas, lentils, non-GMO soybeans, dry beans and sugar cane! So, its most important to buy, cook, and eat organically-grown grains, beans and lentils (legumes). Even if the crops are not GMO, they still can be sprayed with Roundup! Glyphosate, the main active ingredient, has been declared a Class 2B carcinogen by the World Health Organizations IARC [6]. Wheat, when stored in grain silos, can be fumigated with toxins such as phosphine, chloropicrin, and methyl bromide. According to the University of Minnesota/Extension, So fumigants are able to penetrate into places that are inaccessible to insecticide sprays or dusts. All fumigants are poisonshighly toxic to humans and other warm-blooded animals, as well as to insects. Consequently, they are classified as Restricted Use Pesticides and in accordance with Minnesota State Pesticide Law can be applied only by certified and licensed fumigators. [7] When wheat grain is milled into flour, there are other processes that further compromise the resulting flour, e.g., milling, removal of bran, fiber and germ, to leave a powder-like substance, the endosperm, which becomes flour, that is bleached and enriched with added synthetic B vitamins and iron. But thats not where wheats tragic flour story ends. The chemical Azodicarbonamide (ADA) [8] is added as a dough conditioner when wheat flour is made into various food products like breads, pastries, etc. As a matter of fact, there are close to 500 food items that contain ADA. According to Dr. Edward F Group, DC, ND, founder of Global Healing Center, ADA can cause the following adverse health effects: Respiratory problems, skin irritant, disrupts the immune system, and is harmful to hormone function [8]. Personally, I imagine that it would negatively affect the gut microbiome and even cause digestive problems, e.g., heartburn. Additionally, ADA increases the gluten content in bread! Thats not what we need, especially with all the gut problems and gluten sensitivities occurring in so many folks recently. Furthermore, ADA is banned in Europe and Australia! U.S. FDA and USDA, what gives with you, anyway? Why arent you banning ADA in the USA? Additionally, ADA is an industrial chemical used in the manufacture of yoga mats, shoe rubber and synthetic leather! Mmm, mmm, good! To top off the above, ADA creates toxic byproducts when heated: Semicarbazide and ethyl carbamate. Semicarbazide causes free radical damage to DNA [9] and damages human immune cells and DNA of animals [10]. So, whats it doing in USA-made wheat products? Would readers like to know which brands and products contain Azodicarbonamide? Well, heres the list. Data provided by FoodEssentials as of 2/27/2014. Wheat is just one example of how a natural food crop, which humans subsisted on for millennia, has been bastardized by modern chemistry and farming practices into becoming a bane to eaters. The only way consumers can get relief is to: Bon apptit! References: [1] http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/einkorn-ancient-grains.htm?gclid=CM_66ZSx3sgCFU8WHwodUbYNdA Resources: Grow Your Own Heirloom Grains Whats Wrong With Modern Wheat? Catherine J Frompovich (website) is a retired natural nutritionist who earned advanced degrees in Nutrition and Holistic Health Sciences, Certification in Orthomolecular Theory and Practice plus Paralegal Studies. Her work has been published in national and airline magazines since the early 1980s. Catherine authored numerous books on health issues along with co-authoring papers and monographs with physicians, nurses, and holistic healthcare professionals. She has been a consumer healthcare researcher 35 years and counting. Catherines latest book, published October 4, 2013, is Vaccination Voodoo, What YOU Dont Know About Vaccines, available on Amazon.com. Her 2012 book A Cancer Answer, Holistic BREAST Cancer Management, A Guide to Effective Non-Toxic Treatments, is available on Amazon.com and as a Kindle eBook. Two of Catherines more recent books on Amazon.com are Our Chemical Lives And The Hijacking Of Our DNA, A Probe Into Whats Probably Making Us Sick (2009) and Lord, How Can I Make It Through Grieving My Loss, An Inspirational Guide Through the Grieving Process (2008) How about just not eating wheat at all and be done with it. I know, but its so hard to stop the craving of Pizza. Last time I made pizza, I made an amazing cauliflower crust that was so good, my husband, the most stubborn individual Ive ever met, loved it and said he didnt want it any other way from now on! Wow. Have a recipe? I got this one from a website, and revised it to suit myself. The main thing is getting the moisture out before adding the other stuff. I used a juicer; they are pretty cheap nowadays, and handy to have for all kinds of applications. You can adjust the seasonings to suit your taste. Grain-Free Cauliflower Crust Pizza Makes one approx. 10-12 inch pizza 1 medium to large sized head of cauliflower should yield about 3 cups once processed 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt Preheat toaster oven to 450 degrees, using the convection feature. In a shallow pan that fits the oven, press in a large piece of Reynolds nonstick foil, nonstick side up. Spray with nonstick olive oil spray. Wash and thoroughly then dry a medium head of cauliflower, then cut into pieces. Juice the cauliflower (all of it, stems and everything), Dump cauliflower into a bowl. Add 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon dried basil, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (not garlic salt), tsp. onion powder and a dash of red pepper if you want. Add egg whites and mix thoroughly with hands. Mix in almond meal if desired. You want your Once mixed together, use your hands to form the dough into a crust on your foil. Pat it down thoroughly, you want it nice and tightly formed together. Dont make it too thick or thin either. Bake until the crust starts to turn golden brown and looks mottled, about 15-20 minutes. Remove from oven. Add toppings, then slide topped pizza back in the hot oven and cook for another 5 to 7 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden. Allow to cool for a couple of minutes. Cut with a pizza cutter. *3/15 update If you are using a larger sized cauliflower, up the eggs to 1 egg plus 1 egg white. Amaranth; Its free. 