I just finished reading “Wheat Belly” by Dr. William Davis.  The book is a good read as Dr. Davis makes a very compelling and easy to read case claiming that all forms of wheat (including whole grains) are one of the prime causes behind obesity, inflammatory conditions and various other common ailments. I hope to have a separate vlog/blog talking more about what I learned but first I wanted to post some of what he had to say about the connection between wheat and neuropathy as I have a friend in Los Angeles who has been suffering significantly from this condition.

Chapter 11 contains a section entitled “From Your Head Down to Your Toes: Wheat and Peripheral Neuropathy”. He references a study that addressed the effect wheat and gluten has on patients suffering from peripheral neuropathy:

In one study of thirty-five gluten-sensitive patients with peripheral neuropathy who were positive for the antigliadin antibody, the twenty five participants on a wheat- and gluten-free diet improved over one year, while the ten control participants who did not remove wheat and gluten deteriorated.11  Formal studies of nerve conduction were also performed, demonstrating improved nerve conduction in the wheat- gluten-free group, and deterioration in the wheat- gluten-consuming group.

It’s only one study (abstract can be found here.) but the significant number of stories throughout the book highlighting the inflammatory properties of wheat and it’s exacerbating effects on negative psychological conditions (will address in future post)  seem to indicate that there is some legitimate connection between the two.    I’m pretty busy with schoolwork and seminary obligations right now but it would be interesting to see if there were other studies out there that addressed the connection between neuropathy and wheat consumption.  Almost 2 years ago I went wheat free and one of the first things I noticed was the reduction in nagging aches that I had from my very intense workout schedule.  My gut instinct is that there is a connection between neuropathy and wheat/gluten consumption.

This makes me think of Dr. Mary Newport as well who successfully halted and reversed her husband’s Alztheimers by supplementing his diet with coconut oil.  It’s a fascinating story which you can learn more about here. The more I read the more I believe that coconut oil is tremendously good for you in a number of ways.  I cook with it often and have noticed a certain extra bump in my mental clarity and alertness when I have it.  You can also buy something called MCT oil which is extracted from coconut oil.  I occasionally will have a tablespoon or two throughout the day and have noticed similar effects.  It’s essentially a concentrated version of coconut oil.

Nonetheless I wonder how my friend would react to a wheat and gluten free diet which also supplements with coconut oil.  My guess is that there could only be positive benefits. There needs to be a study to address this particular topic. If anyone has heard about a similar study please let me know.  The connection between food and our nervous systems is such a fascinating one and I hope to further explore it in the future.