Why are more and more people are becoming gluten-intolerant?  Is this because wheat has been altered from its original state or could there possibly be other reasons?  I thought modern wheat had been genetically altered (well it is, and it isn’t), but apparently wheat is not considered GE.  So why are so many people having problems with it?

According to a recent article in “The Healthy Home Economist” , the reason wheat is causing issues with so many people is because it is drenched in Monsanto’s herbicide “Roundup” before it is harvested.  Apparently this practice of soaking pre-harvest wheat results in a higher yield.

The deadly active ingredient in Roundup is “glyphosate”.  Though Monsanto denies it, glyphosate has the ability to cause enormous damage to our health.  It plays havoc on our gut bacteria creating many digestive disturbances.  Glyphosate is also linked to infertility, kidney disease, birth defects, certain types of cancers and even autism in children.  For more information on the dangers of glyphosate, see this article by Dr. Mercola.

Apparently the application of applying Roundup prior to harvest has been routine for the past 15 years and is used as a drying agent 7-10 days before harvest within the conventional farming community. According to Dr. Stephanie Seneff of MIT, most of the non-organic wheat in the US is now contaminated with it.

Modern Wheat Vs Ancient Wheat

While the wheat that is grown throughout the world is not considered genetically altered, it is not the same wheat that was grown in ancient times either.

In the 1950’s and 1960’s, an American scientist, Norman Borlaug, developed new kinds of wheat.  These new versions were nothing like ancient wheat.  They were better at resisting disease, yielded higher crops, and grew quicker.  In 1970 Borlaug was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work with wheat.

In order to modify the wheat, Borlaug crossed traditional wheat with non-wheat grasses, used chemicals, x-rays and various other mutation methods. Maybe his methods were not considered GE by the current definition, but the wheat was definitely altered, almost beyond recognition.

Taking one of the most nutritious foods on the planet and greatly altering it, was bound to cause destruction.  Messing with mother nature seldom results in an improvement.  In fact, I can’t think of one instance.

Regardless of the reasons why wheat has become toxic, it is best to avoid it whenever possible.   There is, however, a company called “Jovial” that claims to sell the original wheat that has never been hybridized.  You may want to check them out.

To your Health!

Peter Gillham