Blog

3

1

If I want to suggest to someone that they just try going off wheat or gluten for X amount of time, then reintroduce it to see if and how it affects him/her - how long does the person need to be clean to really test the effects?

Also, would a person get carb flu just by cutting out grains even if still eating rice and potatoes?

flag
Paleo people usually say 30 days. I removed wheat from my diet, but didn't notice any reactions. Didn't re-introduce it, since I don't see a reason for that. If the person only cut out grains, she shouldn't experience carb flu. – greyman Oct 2 2011 at 11:17

3 Answers

4

The longer the better - some people feel it right away, some don't. There is a reason Robb Wolf says to try it for 30 days. Most people will notice a difference by then if they are ever going to notice a difference. And 30 days is a long time, but most people can commit to it. If you tell people 3 months, well that's gonna put a lot of people off. And if you say 2 weeks, there are quite a few people that need a bit more time than that.

link|flag
1

I agree with Dave S., though I'd like to add something. For all humans, and especially celiacs, gluten causes all kinds of intestinal damage. If you cut out wheat, barley and rye for a few days to a week then you stop creating new inflammation. The longer you go without gluten, the more of a chance your body has to heal. The haling, honestly, can take months.

When I first went gluten-free a few years ago (coupled with better exercise), I actually felt worse for the first week or so. I wasn't getting sick, but my body was beginning to flush out a lot of toxins. It wasn't until later, when I had healed some, that I felt the real benefits.

link|flag
PS: and I think potatoes and rice are fine to avoid carb flu. Young males need more starches too. No way I'm ever giving up mashed potatoes! – Caleb the Hobbit Oct 2 2011 at 13:43
2

The numbers I've heard are that if your gut it sensitive to wheat that it take about 6 weeks to heal. That also why I'm against "cheat days" because aven a once-a-week exposure is enough to keep you permanently damaged.

link|flag

Your Answer

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.