Wheat in the diet has many disadvantages. White flour which is used in many types of bread and confectionary is very popular in western societies; it is 70% extraction from the original wheat grain which results in it having only a quarter of the vitamins as wholemeal flour.

Wheat only contains 10%-12% essential amino acids and is not a good source of quality protein. Wheat is deficient in the essential amino acids methionine and lysine. To improve the quality of protein in wheat products these two amino acids are added in manufacturing.

The body can only use 55% of the whole wheat protein. The better quality protein comes from the germ and bran, the poorer quality comes from the endosperm which is used in white flour.

People who are protein deficient should not eat white bread as it is deficient in protein. The endosperm which makes white flour contains less copper, manganese, zinc, vitamin B6, vitamin B3, vitamin B2 and iron. In fact there is no vitamin E in white bread.

Bleaching agents are used to make white flour whiter. These agents are bromate and chlorine dioxide. These agents actually damage the starch and protein in the flour by releasing active oxygen and altering the bulk material in the flour. Chlorine changes the protein chain which makes them toxic this is why some people are allergic to white bread and not wholemeal. White bread also has less fibre in it this can cause problems with the intestines. Wheat can cause problems with the intestine and if the fibre is removed then the wheat remains in the intestine longer causing more problems.

White bread can cause a rise in blood pressure. This is because zinc is lost in the manufacturing of white flour. White bread has high cadmium and low zinc this is the recipe for the body to produce high blood pressure. To lower blood pressure the exact opposite is needed - high zinc low cadmium.

Gluten is the protein found in wheat, oats, rye, barley but especially white flour. It contains high amounts of sulphur and unbalanced amino acids. It is hard to digest and is known to generate

the bowel condition known as Diverticulitis. Some individuals are intolerant to gluten this is known as Coeliac disease. This is when the gluten damages the lining of the small intestine which results in bloating, diarrhoea and malabsorption of nutrients.

Many people are allergic to artificial processed wheat which has been grown in soil depleted of mineral and has had chemicals added to it. People with unhealthy bowel and intestines are prone to allergies because they are unable to break down the gluten in this wheat which is passed into the large intestine causing allergies. Other diseases related to wheat are Irritable bowel syndrome, Rheumatoid arthritis, fatigue, pre-menstrual syndrome and mental disorders.

We are seeing an increase in colon-related illnesses such as constipation, diverticulitis, irritable bowel syndrome, colon cancer in those people consuming a refined Western type diet because of the lack of dietary fibre. A typical western diet consists of large amounts of refined foods, specially refined cereals and bread, overcooked vegetables and fruit juice instead of fibre rich raw fruit.

Fibre is a family of substance which include cellulose, hemicelluloses, lignins, pectins, gums and mucilages all are from the walls of plant cells except some mucilages which form seaweed and algae.

Fibre binds water, minerals, salts, bile, toxins and drugs to increase the volume of stool which speeds up the process of elimination. This deceases the time that the bowel is in contact with toxic elements.

Chronic constipation is a big problem for those living in western countries. When eating a typical western diet it takes on average three days for food to pass completely through the intestinal tract. This results in hard, small stools that need great straining to pass. The increase of fibre in the diet will soften the stool by attracting water thus making it easier to pass in less time. This will lessen the pressure exerted in the colon which can lead to other problems which are discussed later.

Another side affect of chronic constipation is

haemorrhoids. The excessive straining of the bowels associated with constipation result in dilated veins which become irritated, painful and sometimes bleed. Haemorrhoids are rare in people who have a high fibre diet.

Diverticulosis is a common disorder in western countries afflicting the large intestine. Diverticula are pockets found on the outside of the colon where pressure inserted on the colon has resulted in the colon being forced apart in weak areas. If an infection occurs in the diverticula then severe pain and fever can occur this may need surgery to correct. Diverticulosis can be averted by a high fibre diet and even the symptoms of diverticulosis can be relieved by commencing a high fibre diet.

Colon cancer is one of the most common cancers in western countries. Evidence has shown that it is not only linked to the amount of fat in the diet but also the lack of fibre in the diet. A diet high in fibre has shown to reduce the risk of colon cancer; this is because the fibre speeds up the rate of elimination which results in potential cancer causing substances having less time in contact with the lining of the colon.

High fibre diet has shown to alleviate some of the symptoms such as constipation associated with irritable bowel syndrome. Although when bran is used symptoms can worsen.

Besides the affliction already mentioned, there are many other problems associated with a low fibre diet. Appendicitis has been linked to the lack of fibre in the diet. The risk of becoming obese, suffering from coronary heart disease, diabetes and other cancers are reduced when consuming a high fibre diet. As illustrated to reduce the risk of disease and to maintain a healthy bowel it is recommended to include a good amount fibre in the diet.Modern wheat also causes blood sugar imbalances, a condition which is all too common in the typical Western individual.

About the author:

Stewart Hare C.H.Ed Dip NutTh

Advice for a healthier natural life

website: http://www.newbeingnutrition.com

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