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Grainflammation – How Grains Cause Inflammation

Grain Free Diet to avoid these toxins

Grainflammation is the Common Denominator in Grain Induced Pain…

There are many mechanisms at work that influence grain induced pain and inflammation. Gluten is just one of many factors and is discussed in greater detail below, but first let’s take a look at this short video that discusses the benefits of a grain free diet via eliminating several different toxic compounds commonly found in grain based foods to include:

  • Heavy metals – mercury, arsenic, and cadmium
  • Excessive Omega-6 fatty acids
  • Excessive carbohydrates
  • Molds and mycotoxins
  • Pesticides – to include glyphosate and atrazine
  • ATI’s – Amylase Trypsin Inhibitors

Now that you better understand some of the toxic compounds found in grain and how they drive grainflammation, let’s dive more into depth about gluten induced problems.

Mechanisms of Gluten Induced Damage

Poor immune function, inflammation, and intestinal permeability (AKA – leaky gut) are common problems for those with gluten sensitivity. How does gluten break down immune function? Let’s look at this in closer detail. The diagram below illustrates three primary mechanisms of how gluten can damage a healthy immune system:

Leaky Gut and Gastrointestinal Damage

How to heal a leaky gutSeveral years ago, researchers (including Dr. Alessio Fasano) at the University of Maryland discovered that gluten can directly cause a phenomenon known as intestinal permeability (AKA – leaky gut). This process has been shown to lead to the development of additional food allergies followed by a progression to a hyper responsive immune system – subsequently contributing to autoimmune disease. I interviewed Dr. Fasano on this topic. You can view the interview here <<<

Right behind your gut wall is a tissue called the GALT (Gastro Associated Lymphoid Tissue). Research shows that approximately 70-80% of your immune cells are harbored here. Once leaky gut develops, the flood gates literally open up and the GALT is bombarded with bacteria and other microorganisms, food proteins, and a number of intestinal toxins. Over time this immune assault can lead to inflammatory damage not only in the intestine, but in other tissues of the body as well.

Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies – Another Side Effect of Grainflammation

Gluten has been shown to impact intestinal absorption, but it has also been shown to damage other organs that aid in the digestive process. The stomach, liver, gall bladder, and pancreas all aid in the proper break down of nutrients from the food we eat. Gluten induced damage to these tissues can create both vitamin and mineral deficiencies. The loss of nutrient absorption and uptake contributes to countless problems. For example, vitamin B-12 deficiency is very common for patients with gluten sensitivity. This B-vitamin plays a major role in the repair and healing of the intestine. You can see the catch 22 that nutrient deficiency plays. The gluten damaged gut needs vitamins and minerals to aid in the repair of the damage, but the existing damage is preventing the absorption of the nutrients necessary to help in the repair process. Unless addressed, it is a vicious cycle.

Altered Intestinal Bacteria

Research studies have shown the gluten can impact the type of bacteria in the intestines. Some animal research points out that this is especially true of genetically altered varieties of grain. There are a number of diseases associated with abnormal intestinal flora – SIBO, IBS, Ulcerative Colitis, and Crohn’s to name a few.

Why are the healthy bacteria important? They serve to help your body produce B-vitamins and vitamin K. They also help your immune system regulate it’s ability to communicate and regulate the inflammation process. In addition, these healthy flora help to prevent pathogenic (disease causing) micro-organisms like H. pylori, yeast, parasites, etc.

How Do You Address All of The Problems Caused by Grainflammation?

Beyond a grain free diet, I developed the following supplemental protocol to support healing and recovery from chronic grain induced inflammation. This protocol can help support digestion, a healthy microbiome, a healthy inflammation response, and tissue repair.

Always looking out for you,

Dr. Osborne – The Gluten Free Warrior

14 Responses

  1. My husband just received the results from his endoscopy: lymphangiectasia . Could this possibly be a result of celiac? He was diagnosed with celiac abt 26 years ago

  2. Are the supplements you recommend vegan-friendly? (i.e., no gelatin and no animal-sourced ingredients)

  3. Dr. O, I am grain-free and believe in it (thanks to you!), but for family members, it is very difficult to get them completely grain-free. If someone chooses to still eat some grains which grains have the least ill-effects?

  4. I am a 45 year lyme warrior in the final stretch. I was an athlete, gym rat for 25 years and was considered a “food militant” by friends and family. I didn’t eat the “typical” American diet growing up, my Mom cooked real food and so do I.

    It took until last fall to find an integrative healer. I have to travel 10 hours. I was completely physically broken and suffering paralysis in my right shoulder/arm.

    I’ve followed the protocol. After 8 months my immune is coming back on line. Chronic yeast – gone, paralyzed inflamed arm & shoulder 90% better …

    Now I’m requested to follow a gluten free diet. I’m stumped. The definition I heard repeatedly at the summit: no grains, not once a week, once in a while … never. That’s so radical.

    My days have devolved to 2-3 quality hours of activity and cooking is part of that. It’s been almost 2 months and the joy of nutritious food as I know it has been taken from me, too. My days are consumed with self care and now God’s food is not ok? It leaves me with little to live for.

    My life has become one never ending game of Whack-A-Borrelia and I’m exhausted. I want to comply but I don’t know what to eat anymore. Please help.

    1. Trish,
      I would highly recommend reading No Grain No Pain. All of the clarity on tbis topic is summarized in a simple to understand manner?
      All the best,
      Dr. OSBORNE

  5. I would like to know your natural way of chelation for heavy metals. I have done a year of IV’s and 6 months of suppositories. Both methods have taken out my gut. Any new info would be appreciated.

    Thank you,
    Diane

    1. Diane,
      There are several things that will naturally help your body chelate:

      Kidney – Make sure to drink adequate water during chelation. You can use asparagus as a natural diuretic to help increase urinary output of toxic metals. You can use cilantro and garlic as they both help eliminate toxic metals from the body.

      Lungs – Exercise increases respiration and helps the lungs expel chemical toxin build up. Additionally, exercise induces sweat through the skin. Additionally, perform intentional deep breathing exercise before each meal.

      Skin – Exercise is very effective in natural detoxification as it pumps muscles and lymphatic fluids helping to drain toxic metal compounds. Additionally consider the use of infrared sauna as a tool to help induce sweating, especially if you are exercise intolerant.

      In my clinic I have people take a natural supplement to support elimination. It is called Chelemax.

      Hope this helps,
      Dr. Osborne

  6. My 6-month-old son has significant eczema over much of his body. He has been exclusively breast fed and recently introduced to solid foods (but no grains). He has had eczema since he was about 3.5 months old. I went dairy free when he was 4 months old but his eczema has continued. What are your thoughts regarding if grain in my diet could be causing my son’s eczema?

    1. Darcy,
      Your diet is greatly impacting your son as long as you are breast feeding. Are you grain free?
      You might make this attempt and see how he responds. Might also be helpful for you to take probiotics.
      All the best,
      Dr. O

  7. While I do avoid wheat completely due to the history of genetic modification and application of roundup, I do eat some grains like buckwheat, quinoa and millet. I do not believe in completely eliminating a whole food group due to the fact that you are eliminating nutrients along with the food group, although they should be eaten sparingly. I have found HOMEOPATHICS to be of real help in curing the IBS/digestive destruction that results from food allergies. It is something alternative doctors seem to ignore. Taking all of these pills is EXPENSIVE and cumbersome. Homeopathics are cheap and they CURE. Find a great homeopathic doctor. Joette Calabrese teaches a digestion course (and others) online that could help so many of these people.

    1. Good points , good choices but be aware buckwheat is not a grain , comes rhubarb family , quinoa is a seed …
      Keep it up !

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