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Dangerous Grains: Why Gluten Cereal Grains May Be Hazardous To Your Health
Learn the shocking truth about how gluten cereal grains effect our health
Could gluten be contributing to your fatigue, stress, bloating, and ill health? Long before Grain Brain was a bestseller, Dangerous Grains was the first book to examine in depth the hazards of gluten cereal grains. James Braly, M.D., a renowned food allergy expert and Ron Hoggan, M.A., a respected patient advocate, reveal the negative impact of gluten grains. Discover the benefits of a gluten-free diet in relieving and preventing the ailments associated with celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, and more than 200 chronic illnesses, including: Tracking the genetic and evolutionary history of humans and grain consumption, Dangerous Grains can help you understand how grains can affect your health, and whether you are at risk for gluten-influenced illnesses.
Could gluten be contributing to your fatigue, stress, bloating, and ill health? Long before Grain Brain was a bestseller, Dangerous Grains was the first book to examine in depth the hazards of gluten cereal grains. James Braly, M.D., a renowned food allergy expert and Ron Hoggan, M.A., a respected patient advocate, reveal the negative impact of gluten grains. Discover the benefits of a gluten-free diet in relieving and preventing the ailments associated with celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, and more than 200 chronic illnesses, including: Tracking the genetic and evolutionary history of humans and grain consumption, Dangerous Grains can help you understand how grains can affect your health, and whether you are at risk for gluten-influenced illnesses.
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
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358 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 10, 2012
This book explains that humans have consumed grains for less than 0.5% of their history and that:
1. Many of us are not suited to eating grains at all and probably very few or none of us is suited to eating a diet that contains huge amounts of grains. We have been eating meat and fruit and vegetables for 2.5 million years and grains for only 12 thousand years.
2. Even if you don't notice immediate effects from eating grains, they could still be silently and slowly causing you harm. The first noticeable problem caused by gluten sensitivity may be cancer. Gluten is a poison.
3. The intestinal biopsy is considered the gold standard test but this test may be normal in some patients that do have in fact problems with gluten. The most sensitive test is tTg and others include EMA and AGA (which tests for IgG and IgA). When the biopsy is abnormal this means you have an advanced problem, and finding the problem before it becomes advanced is far better for the patient.
4. Rice and corn don't contain gluten but can cause their own problems.
5. Gluten is HIGHLY ADDICTIVE! Many of us feel a strong compulsion to eat it. Gluten grains and dairy have morphine-like properties and this accounts at least in part for why these foods are often seen as 'comfort foods.' Craving grains is a sign you may have a problem with them and may need to avoid them.
6. Desensitisation to gluten is not appropriate and gluten must be avoided if a sensitivity exists.
7. Grains contain several psychoactive substances and anti-nutrients aside form gluten and can damage the human intestinal wall. (Soaking or fermenting grains before eating them can inactivate some of these, however, it should be noted.)
8. If your diet is gluten free, the only way to test for gluten sensitivity is rectally.
9. Gluten problem can cause a floating fatty stool, diarrhoea, wheezing, depression, and a chronically low BP of 90/60. More at risk groups include those with Downs syndrome and thyroid problems.
10. Celiac or Coeliac disease is only one type of gluten sensitivity, there are several others such as latent/silent gluten sensitivity and non-Coeliac gluten sensitivity. 15% of the population has some immune response to gluten. Gluten-induced neurological damage can be irreversible. Gluten can cause white matter brain lesions.
The author recommends avoiding gluten grains and dairy, having food allergy tests and gastric analysis and a comprehensive nutritional program including nutrients given by IV when stomach problems are severe.
This is excellent advice and is part of what I have been doing to treat my own illness. I crave grains intensely, but do far better avoiding them entirely and following a Paleolithic diet which also contains lots of nutrient dense foods such as bone broths, coconut oil, raw cultured vegetables, kefir and liver.
Going grain free for a while wont hurt anyone and might really help lots of us and is at least worth serious consideration by those of us that are seriously ill.
This book, or one like it, is essential reading for anyone battling a serious disease, or that has any type of gut problem and probably worthwhile reading for everyone. This book is very easy to read, well referenced, well put together and a credit to the authors. I would recommend it.
The only downside is that as this book is around 10 years old, the information on testing will not be as up-to-date as it could be and so looking online for information about newer tests is probably a good idea after reading this book.
Jodi Bassett, The Hummingbirds' Foundation for M.E.
1. Many of us are not suited to eating grains at all and probably very few or none of us is suited to eating a diet that contains huge amounts of grains. We have been eating meat and fruit and vegetables for 2.5 million years and grains for only 12 thousand years.
2. Even if you don't notice immediate effects from eating grains, they could still be silently and slowly causing you harm. The first noticeable problem caused by gluten sensitivity may be cancer. Gluten is a poison.
3. The intestinal biopsy is considered the gold standard test but this test may be normal in some patients that do have in fact problems with gluten. The most sensitive test is tTg and others include EMA and AGA (which tests for IgG and IgA). When the biopsy is abnormal this means you have an advanced problem, and finding the problem before it becomes advanced is far better for the patient.
4. Rice and corn don't contain gluten but can cause their own problems.
5. Gluten is HIGHLY ADDICTIVE! Many of us feel a strong compulsion to eat it. Gluten grains and dairy have morphine-like properties and this accounts at least in part for why these foods are often seen as 'comfort foods.' Craving grains is a sign you may have a problem with them and may need to avoid them.
6. Desensitisation to gluten is not appropriate and gluten must be avoided if a sensitivity exists.
7. Grains contain several psychoactive substances and anti-nutrients aside form gluten and can damage the human intestinal wall. (Soaking or fermenting grains before eating them can inactivate some of these, however, it should be noted.)
8. If your diet is gluten free, the only way to test for gluten sensitivity is rectally.
9. Gluten problem can cause a floating fatty stool, diarrhoea, wheezing, depression, and a chronically low BP of 90/60. More at risk groups include those with Downs syndrome and thyroid problems.
10. Celiac or Coeliac disease is only one type of gluten sensitivity, there are several others such as latent/silent gluten sensitivity and non-Coeliac gluten sensitivity. 15% of the population has some immune response to gluten. Gluten-induced neurological damage can be irreversible. Gluten can cause white matter brain lesions.
The author recommends avoiding gluten grains and dairy, having food allergy tests and gastric analysis and a comprehensive nutritional program including nutrients given by IV when stomach problems are severe.
This is excellent advice and is part of what I have been doing to treat my own illness. I crave grains intensely, but do far better avoiding them entirely and following a Paleolithic diet which also contains lots of nutrient dense foods such as bone broths, coconut oil, raw cultured vegetables, kefir and liver.
Going grain free for a while wont hurt anyone and might really help lots of us and is at least worth serious consideration by those of us that are seriously ill.
This book, or one like it, is essential reading for anyone battling a serious disease, or that has any type of gut problem and probably worthwhile reading for everyone. This book is very easy to read, well referenced, well put together and a credit to the authors. I would recommend it.
The only downside is that as this book is around 10 years old, the information on testing will not be as up-to-date as it could be and so looking online for information about newer tests is probably a good idea after reading this book.
Jodi Bassett, The Hummingbirds' Foundation for M.E.
May 5, 2011
The authors seem to jump around quite of bit when they explain the negative effects of grains on the digestive system. I do not think they site their work well enough either.
May 12, 2023
Not great. Started out ok, but the later information was exceedingly outdated. I'm guessing when it was first published the research it used was more relevant. They provide a ton of research broken down by chapter- which is really helpful if you want to dig deeper. A lot of that research is 20+ years old- so the changes in science and medicine aren't reflected. Some of the claims are only supported by a single study, some studies have a really small number of participants. I read it to help a college student with a presentation, this book was on the list provided by the teacher. Part of his presentation was the suggestion that fellow students use newer books, articles, research, etc.
July 29, 2020
Botom line - best to avoid gluten to be on the safe side, since it causes small intestine permiability, which then leads to immune overreaction, which then leads to many of modern day illnesses. In the list are skin problems, hair loss, artritis, bone density loss (artritis) and even suspected are autism, ms, schitzophrenia, etc.
November 4, 2025
Best book about health i ever read!
January 24, 2012
This book was, to me, a worse case scenario. Unfortunately I was looking forward to reading this book because I thought it would give some good insight to gluten free diets. Although it did give good insight, it was more if you have celiac disease and have these alignments, here is what gluten free will do for you.
I think I was more in the mindset of previous reads like Fast Food Nation and Omnivore's Dilemma - gripping information for all stages of your dietary discovery.
All in all, very informative.
Dangerous Grains talks about the effects, long term effects, of a gluten rich diet and our health. Basically the average American comsumes cereal for breakfast, a sandwich for lunch, pasta for dinner. Maybe a cookie in between as a treat. Each meal has gluten. Gluten over-load actually. Many people who have chronic illnesses find that those illnesses are greatly reduced if not completely cured once they are diagnosed with Celiac Disease or/and they cut out gluten from their diet. Such illnesses that have improved or disappeared are Crohn's Disease, ADHD, Autism, digestive disorders, and Autoimmune disease to name just a few.
I think I was more in the mindset of previous reads like Fast Food Nation and Omnivore's Dilemma - gripping information for all stages of your dietary discovery.
All in all, very informative.
Dangerous Grains talks about the effects, long term effects, of a gluten rich diet and our health. Basically the average American comsumes cereal for breakfast, a sandwich for lunch, pasta for dinner. Maybe a cookie in between as a treat. Each meal has gluten. Gluten over-load actually. Many people who have chronic illnesses find that those illnesses are greatly reduced if not completely cured once they are diagnosed with Celiac Disease or/and they cut out gluten from their diet. Such illnesses that have improved or disappeared are Crohn's Disease, ADHD, Autism, digestive disorders, and Autoimmune disease to name just a few.
November 9, 2010
Interesting book about how gluten and grains in general can be dangerous to your health. People with Scandinavian heritage are the most susceptible, since they weren't introduced to a grain-heavy diet until the middle ages. The author takes the evolutionary approach, stating that humans ate a hunter/gatherer diet for millions of years and that farmed grains have only been a part of our diet for the last 10,000 or less, which is why so many of us have a problem with them.
The author also claims that many modern diseases are caused by an overabundance of grains in our diet and that with grains currently being bred to contain even more gluten (for that light, fluffy, stretchy consistency we love in our baked goods) the situation us getting even worse. The USDA loves to sell us on grains that it is overproducing. A good read and has motivated me to consume less grains, substituting fruits and vegetables instead.
The author also claims that many modern diseases are caused by an overabundance of grains in our diet and that with grains currently being bred to contain even more gluten (for that light, fluffy, stretchy consistency we love in our baked goods) the situation us getting even worse. The USDA loves to sell us on grains that it is overproducing. A good read and has motivated me to consume less grains, substituting fruits and vegetables instead.
December 8, 2008
After reading this, I am definitely going to get tested for gluten intolerance and Celiac, especially because I have a close relative with Celiac. It is awful to think that my serious, lifelong health condition could be caused by poisoning myself with gluten cereal grains. Whole grains are advertised as a nutritious source for everyone with 11 serving suggestions a day on the food guide pyramid. It's 11 servings of poison for people who have this hidden allergy. I was surprised to learn that it is more common than we know and that it can be a cause for over 200 chronic illnesses including: cancer, autism, MS, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Osteoporosis.
December 13, 2011
Very informative. I have Celiac Disease. I've probably had it for years and years, and didn't know it. Its no wonder that I've ended up with diseases like Diabetes, Asthma, Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, etc. Nutritional deficiencies because of not being able to absorb crucial vitamins and minerals. A lot of speculation as to why so many people are being diagnosed with this problem. Could be that man messed with the wheat and changed it to have more gluten. Should have left it alone.
If you have osteoporosis, arthritis, allergies, etc., you need to get a simple blood test from your doctor to find out if you have Celiac disease, or gluten-intolerance.
If you have osteoporosis, arthritis, allergies, etc., you need to get a simple blood test from your doctor to find out if you have Celiac disease, or gluten-intolerance.
September 7, 2013
An informative book that had a good level of science; however, I've read other books on this topic that do a better job of explaining what is happening in the body when gluten and its associated peptides move through the digestive system. This book is now over 10 year old - I wonder how much of what the authors' attribute to gluten may in fact be carbohydrate related? If suggest reading a book written more recently, if you can find one with decent science and references. It's great that their sources are listed in the back of the book, but it would be more helpful if specific data, studies, conclusions were footnoted, so that a reader could easily follow up.
March 21, 2008
This book is full of information for anyone suffering from digestive problems, autoimmune diseases, chronic cardiac problems, diabetes, psychological issues, or any health issue that has been difficult to diagnose and treat. Although this book is rather dry and scientific,its claims are well documented and adequatelay explained for the layman. I have been trying out many non-gluten, non-wheat products since I started reading this and am toying with the idea of going non-gluten for 2-4 weeks to see if it improves my overall health.
January 14, 2009
Well researched and very logical suppressed information about grains. The USDA lies. Agriculture is based on disease. We're not truly weak and stupid, we're just being poisoned.
Mostly a practical guide and an okay place to start researching. Exciting chapters on the cancer-gluten connection and brain disorders too.
Mostly a practical guide and an okay place to start researching. Exciting chapters on the cancer-gluten connection and brain disorders too.
Read
February 23, 2016Off all the books on grains & gluten I think this one is the best. Unlike others it is devoid of any prophetic rhetorics and unnecessary dramatisation. Instead it offers a calmly written account on dangers gluten can do in our bodies, backed up with real explanations and scientific data. Strongly recommended for anyone who is interested in this subject.
May 20, 2008
If you have digestive problems this book is helpful and interesting. However, it suggests that you eliminate dairy and wheat altogether (which I've tried) and I think unless you have major health problems it is too hard.
May 26, 2011
decent for what it is, but with far too much insistence on blood testing as an effective and final arbiter of gluten-sensitivity status, and not bold enough in asserting firm connections between gluten consumption and its many associated diseases.
October 28, 2015
Its hard for me to rate this book since I knew most of the information in this. Ive been Gluten intolerant for 5 years and have picked up lots of information from different people and sources. For someone who knows nothing it lists many diseases associated with eating grains or gluten
June 17, 2016
Great book. After only 6 months away from these dangerous foods (mostly gluten) my blood levels have returned to normal.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews