Wheat a minute... I mean, wait a minute! Wheat is what? I thought that whole wheat was the almighty, the healthy choice, the answer to all our dietary fiber needs. Well according to Dr. William Davis in his book "Wheat Belly", wheat is the exact opposite. Apparently, due countless genetic modifications which have made wheat ubiquitous in modern western society, the popular grain can be linked to an innumerable variety of diseases including, but not limited to, obesity, diabetes, colitis, celiac disease, heart disease, dementia, schizophrenia, ADHD, and even hair loss!
Now I'm not going to sit here and say that I believe every word that Dr. Davis has to say about my beloved breads, buns, and bagels, but he did make some impressive arguments on many different levels. However, at the end of the day, this blog is about eyes. And there are some undeniable truths in the book that relate to our vision.
The main topic I want to touch on is the conversation Dr. Davis has about wheat's ability to raise blood sugar and, in turn, cause diabetes. I take diabetes very very seriously. I've seen many patients suffer visual and other physical consequences due to diabetes. Well, apparently wheat (even the whole grain variety) has a remarkable ability to significantly affect blood sugar. Even more than plain table sugar! That's a little shocking to someone who eats two slices of toast at breakfast and two more slices in a sandwich at lunch!
I have written a blog in the past about all the different ways diabetes can affect vision. Here's the short version: cataracts, retinal bleeding and swelling, glaucoma, and detached retinas. These are all possible at varying degrees and can potentially lead to permanent blindness. And all thanks to poorly controlled blood sugar.
I have to admit, I was impressed by some points that were made in the book. So I decided to give the no wheat deal a try for a little while, much to chagrin of some people close to me. Its been a couple of weeks and, other than a few early difficulties, its going surprisingly well. I'll let you know how it goes...
Now I'm not going to sit here and say that I believe every word that Dr. Davis has to say about my beloved breads, buns, and bagels, but he did make some impressive arguments on many different levels. However, at the end of the day, this blog is about eyes. And there are some undeniable truths in the book that relate to our vision.
The main topic I want to touch on is the conversation Dr. Davis has about wheat's ability to raise blood sugar and, in turn, cause diabetes. I take diabetes very very seriously. I've seen many patients suffer visual and other physical consequences due to diabetes. Well, apparently wheat (even the whole grain variety) has a remarkable ability to significantly affect blood sugar. Even more than plain table sugar! That's a little shocking to someone who eats two slices of toast at breakfast and two more slices in a sandwich at lunch!
I have written a blog in the past about all the different ways diabetes can affect vision. Here's the short version: cataracts, retinal bleeding and swelling, glaucoma, and detached retinas. These are all possible at varying degrees and can potentially lead to permanent blindness. And all thanks to poorly controlled blood sugar.
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| Healthy Retina |
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| Severe Diabetic Retinopathy |
