FITNESS TIP OF THE WEEK:  GET OFF THE GRAINS

 Nutrition, one of my favorite topics.  First off, I am not PC (politically correct) nor will I ever be.  You either appreciate that about me or you don’t.  And the saying “change your diet change your life” couldn’t be more true.

 I do not mean to intentionally dispute the diet dictocrats but the American Diabetic Association, the American Medical Association, American Heart Association, National Institute of Health, the Food & Drug Association and the United States Department of Agriculture are all wrong, not 100% wrong; there is a certain amount of truth in their pronouncements, enough to give credibility but not to save us from disease. The USDA‘s nutritional guidelines in the form of a pyramid call for a diet based on grains—bread, pasta, cereal and crackers—along with fruits and vegetables,  They recommend only small amounts of protein foods and strictly limit sweets and fats.  They are right in the reduction of sweets.  If the other nutritional recommendations were correct however, Americans would not be sick and fat.

 This is the first in a 4 part series on what to eat and why and today we start with grains.

The USDA recommends Americans eat 6 to 11 servings a day of grains; credit given for at least recommending whole grains.  My guess is they are trying to support the Department of Agriculture and the pharmaceutical companies who are getting richer by the second coming up with chemicals to counter the effects of the American diet.  The television advertisements they put out are nothing more than blatant propaganda, in my opinion.  They have their wallets, not our health in their best interest.

 One of the biggest problems with grains is that we are not genetically designed to handle them.  Agriculture has only been around for about 10, 000 years and from an evolutionary standpoint that’s about 9 seconds.  Our ancestors soaked or fermented their grains before making them into breads, porridge and cakes. Here’s a simplified explanation. Grains contain phytic acid (an organic acid in which phosphorus is bound).  Untreated phytic acid combines with minerals in the intestinal tract and blocks their absorption.  This can lead to serious problems over time.  Soaking allows enzymes and other helpful organisms to break down and neutralize phytic acid.  This simple process vastly improves their nutritional benefits.  It also breaks down the proteins in grains which are very difficult for the body to digest.

 I used to eat them.  I limited saturated fat, abstained from animal products, ate egg whites, brown rice, whole grain pastas, breads and some seafood.  I wanted to be healthy.  I was wrong, dead arse wrong.  My health slowly began to deteriorate; thyroid function declined, blood pressure and cholesterol rose slightly, I had gastrointestinal issues, mood swings and water retention.  I attributed it to aging—NOT.

 The biggest problems related to grain consumption are hyperinsulinemia and irritant/toxicant properties.  Grains are known to cause gut irritation, contribute to arthritis, lupus and other autoimmune diseases along with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hyperinsulinism, cancer and a host of other health issues.  Grains also have a highly addictive nature; they contain opiate-like substances that can be very problematic.  Hence, the intense cravings many people have for them.  Grains are also bad for livestock and give them serious problems as well.  Unless your cattle, sheep and pigs are pastured it is akin to eating a protein version of cardboard.

 Grains are mostly starch and when consumed in any amount causes the release of a lot of insulin.  Processed grains greatly increase this insulin response. The insulin spike along with chronically elevated insulin all lead to the same deleterious end:  Syndrome X or the Metabolic Syndrome.

 So, there you have it!  Probably more than you ever wanted to know about grains.  But it is our job at CrossFit Jaguar to provide you with the best possible information on how to optimize your health, performance and longevity.  Come in for a complimentary fitness assessment and learn about our 30 Day Basic Nutrition Plan.  Included for a limited time only with our Monthly CrossFit Classes and in the meantime do yourself a favor. . .

 GET OFF THE GRAINS!