Grains Cause Deficiencies, But All Is Not Lost, Says Cardiologist

Wheat and other grains are such staples of human diets that people refer to sharing a meal as "breaking bread."

But it's more likely that the bread is breaking us, even the whole-grain versions, says cardiologist Dr. William Davis.

Among other problems, the consumption of wheat and other grains can lead to significant nutrient and vitamin deficiencies, putting people's health at risk, says Davis, author of "Wheat Belly Total Health," (www.wheatbellyblog.com), the latest in his bestselling "Wheat Belly" series.

"People are always told to replace their white-flour products with whole-grain products as a path to better nutrition," he says. "But that's just replacing something bad for you with something less bad."

Here are three examples of nutritional deficiencies that Davis says a grain-rich diet can cause, along with ways to restore the nutrients to your body.

• Iron in your fire.

Feeling lightheaded and low on energy? Finding it hard to maintain your concentration? That could mean an iron deficiency. Blood loss is a more common cause of iron deficiency, but grain consumption isn't far behind, Davis says. Remove grains from the diet and normal iron absorption will return. That may be all that's required, he says, though in some cases iron supplements are needed to speed up the process.

Eggs and meats are among the best sources of iron. Other iron-rich foods include spinach, chard, kale, molasses, pumpkin seeds, lima beans and kidney beans.

• In the pink with zinc.

Grain-consuming people might find themselves suffering from skin rashes, distortions of taste, unexplained diarrhea, wounds that heal slowly and other chronic health problems. If you have a zinc deficiency, don't feel singled out. So does about 25 percent world's population. Davis says that's because grains have a compound called phytates that block zinc absorption dramatically. The solution? Don't eat grains, but eat zinc-rich foods such as meat, poultry and shellfish. If you can't fill up on zinc-rich meats, nutritional supplements such as zinc gluconate, zinc sulfate and zinc acetate can help, he says.

• The magnificence of magnesium.

Magnesium deficiency has real health implications, Davis says, and a diet rich in "healthy whole grains" virtually assures a deficiency. A lack of magnesium contributes to osteoporosis, and also is associated with hypertension, higher blood sugars, muscle cramps, low birth weight in infants, migraine headaches and heart rhythm disorders. Increasing your consumption of magnesium-rich foods can help. They include almonds and other nuts, peanut butter, spinach, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds and sunflower seeds.

"One thing you do not have to do is correct deficiencies that develop as a consequence of eliminating grains," Davis says. "There is no such deficiency. In fact, the opposite is often true. Nutrient status improves without the nutrient-blocking effects of grains."

About Dr. William Davis

Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, but humility goes before honor. PROVERBS 18:12

Years ago, I conducted a public interview with Bill and Vonette Bright, who founded Campus Crusade for Christ. I asked them, "Was there ever a time in your marriage where you were at a real crisis? A true fork in the road that could have ended in disaster?"

Bill's eyes filled with tears, his head dropped a bit, and he began to nod. There was shame and sorrow in his voice as he began to tell about a disagreement that had momentarily threatened their marriage.

It began when Bill had begun to make some key ministry decisions without consulting Vonette, even though the choices he was making directly affected her. One day as they argued about one of these issues, Bill declared, "The decision has been made, and it's too late to change our plans now."

Suddenly, all the resentment building inside Vonette erupted. "Okay, Bill Bright! I'll just leave! I'm not going to live where I have nothing to say about what goes on." She whisked the children into the car, got in the driver's seat, and then slumped. Where would she go?

At this point, their young son Zac made a statement that cut to the core: "Mom, this shows me the kind of person you really are." As her son's words stung her, Bill burst through the front door and deliberately got in front of her car. He pleaded, "Don't go, Vonette."

He went on to apologize, and she did too. Then Bill backed up his words of apology by changing the decision they had argued about. Later, Vonette wrote, "I stayed because he took the first step toward reconciliation and working out our problems. It took a real man of God to admit he was wrong, and this gave me the courage to confess my poor attitude."

The Brights' marriage flourished for more than 50 years until Bill's death in 2003. They never quit. Neither should you.

DISCUSS

Have you faced any forks in the road? What key decisions have strengthened your marriage?

PRAY

Pray for a heart of humility so that you will always take the first step toward reconciliation.

by Wes Hopper

"Perhaps the factor that might catapult you into the big leagues, that might multiply your income from both a material and psychic point of view, will be your own ability to persist. So the next time the going gets tough, just remember that the difference for you could just be your ability to persevere with enthusiasm!"
- Bob Proctor

When I want through training with Bob Proctor he was very clear about the characteristics needed for success, and persistence was up near the top of the list. He said, "People don't fail, but they often quit too soon!"

When we internalize that kind of thinking, we are really cutting the cords of excuses that may have sabotaged us in the past. We are not done until we quit, and the choice is always up to us, even though we may have tried to blame other circumstances in the past.

Bob had a very busy and responsible sales job when he wrote his "You Were Born Rich" book, and he had lots of opportunities to put it off. But he determined to do it, and he began getting up 30 minutes earlier each morning and writing. Now, 30 minutes a day isn't much, but in a year he had the book.

His real secret was that he disciplined himself to write every, single, day! We can learn an important lesson from that - if we can discipline ourselves, we can have just about anything we want!

Keep a little scorecard for yourself on how you do in keeping commitments to yourself. How many times do you let yourself off the hook? How many times do you stick with it? You're worth it!