Comments on: Your Brain on Wheat: Does the ‘Staff of Life’ Wreak Havoc?

By: Paddy Kamen

Paddy Kamen — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 21:00:29 +0000

Hi Dr. Davis,

Thanks for your insightful comment. I couldn’t agree more that this drug-free way to address serious physical and mental health concerns warrants further investigation. Thankfully, it is something almost anyone can easily try on their own. Hopefully, those who care for others and who make health policy will step up and take this seriously.

Best regards,

Paddy

By: Paddy Kamen

Paddy Kamen — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 20:57:10 +0000

Thank you for sharing this insight. I look forward to reading your book!
Best,
Paddy

By: Paddy Kamen

Paddy Kamen — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 20:55:24 +0000

Dear Dr. Dohan,

Thanks so much for sharing your weight loss success as well as your views on the book.

Very best,

By: Paddy Kamen

Paddy Kamen — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 20:53:55 +0000

Hello Stuart,

Thank you for telling us about the horrible situation you went through with your daughter. It is truly wonderful that the gluten-free diet helped.

I don’t disagree with Dr. Davis, I just think he could have been clearer on this one aspect. As a reviewer, I see it as my job to read critically. I am, however, a big fan of the book and I hope that comes across.

With appreciation,

By: Peter H. Dohan, MD

Peter H. Dohan, MD — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 23:32:52 +0000

Dear Ms Kamen, The proof is in the pudding and I had 67 pounds to lose to reach normal BMI. Over four months, I have lost thirty pounds. I found Dr Davis’ book slightly hyperbolic, endlessly fascinating and touching on many diverse branches of medicine. I am about to start to read it for my fifth time – in spite of of the emphasis on gluten, insulin is also a real villian in many metabolic situations, hence the low glycemic diet. Your review touched on the highlights of the book and the associated brain diseases. As far as the schizophrenia, which is my family’s obsession, I believe one day many varieties of this malignant brain disease will be treated with a gluten free diet. Thank you for mentioning my Father in such kind terms.
So, this is an excellent review and even if you do not have weight to lose, I recommend the book as you will probably end up going on a gluten free diet.

One more thing, in answer to the questionner above, Dr Davis takes us through the history of wheat and particularly the recent history with Borlaug’s revolution where the gluten content of wheat was significantly enhanced and the size of the stalk diminished.

I hope I have elucidated my viewpoint with clarity,

Respectfully yours, Peter H. Dohan, MD, Pathologist, retired

By: Todd Caldecott

Todd Caldecott — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 05:59:01 +0000

In my recent book (Food As Medicine) I relate the issue of gluten intolerance to pellagra, a disease associated with corn consumption, which is characterized by the 4Ds of diarrhea, dermatitis, dementia and death. Interesting that these health issues are all associated with gluten as well, (beyond the 30-40 other health issues that range from autoimmune liver disease to osteoporosis). And yet Central and South America had no pellagra – it only happened when corn was exported beyond these regions and people failed to practice traditional methods of preparation. Likewise, people in Europe, India and the Middle East have been eating wheat for at least 6000 years or more. In the last 100 years, we have totally abandoned traditional methods of cereal processing, in favor of industrial shortcuts. This review doesn’t mention it, but I wonder if Davis addresses this issue, particularly in light of recent research that shows even celiacs can tolerate traditionally processed (fermented) wheat products?
http://www.foodasmedicine.ca/2011/on-the-issue-of-gluten-2/

By: Dr. William Davis

Dr. William Davis — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 00:44:40 +0000

Hi, Paddy–

Thank you for posting your insightful review.

Overstated? Hmmmm. While perhaps I am indeed guilty of overstating the role of wheat exposure in causation of cerebellar ataxia and other degenerative neurologic conditions, how many other causes 1) can be cured with elimination of a food, and are 2) curable without drugs, devices, or other elaborate maneuvers?

Truly, the enormity of this nutritional blunder is hard to overstate. Just the mere fact that many people from the drug industry are actually principals in the grain lobby alone should be reason to ask why this awful situation has been allowed to occur.

Surely there is more brain health and optimal brain functioning than elimination of wheat. I, too, am fascinated by all the various facets of brain and mind health, having toyed with such things as piracetam and ergoloid mesylates. But what if the collective IQ and level of functioning of a nation were to be boosted even 5% by a simple shift in diet?