Dr. McConnell of FitMed Partners Discusses Gluten's Affect on Memory, Anxiety, ADHD

CHARLESTON, S.C. - May 2, 2014 - PRLog -- Bad bread! You sing to me with your wafting smells of comfort, warmth and satiation. Are you really the root problem for why I cannot find my keys routinely? The highly refined carbohydrate family of foods such as a bread, pasta, and rice found a sanctuary from health and wellness expert vehement criticism when the grain count rose. Enter brown pasta, brown bread and brown rice. We all felt better about ourselves when we snubbed the color white on our plates.

Nationally acclaimed, albeit controversial, author of the book “Grain Brain”, Dr. David Perlmutter cautions against eating wheat, carbs and sugar. And, yes, this includes that high grain bread. Dr. Perlmutter links consumption of wheat, carbs, and sugar (gluten) to memory loss, Alzheimer’s and other brain disorders. Local expert and founder of FitMed Partners, Dr. Bright McConnell, agrees, “What we know about nutrition now is infinitely more advanced than what we knew even a few years ago. Quite simply, following food low in glycemic index remains the gold standard for disease prevention, overall health and weight management.”

The popular Paelo diet says to eat like a caveman. The Mediterranean diet says to eat like the Greeks. The raw food diet, not in their words, says to eat like a rabbit. Dr. McConnell says to eat as if you have and are managing diabetes. A growing epidemic among Americans, diabetes requires the daily management of blood sugar. The management of blood sugar translates to not eating food that will make your blood sugar rise after 90 to 120 minutes. “A carbohydrate surge happens when food becomes sugar in the blood and inflammation results. What we have recognized as a predicator for heart and vascular disease, eye disorders, and diabetes, is now scientifically shown to contribute to neurodegenerative diseases as well, “explains McConnell.

At FitMed Partners the medical team have long touted the benefits of eating food low on the glycemic index. These include foods such as greens, vegetables, olive oil, fish, avocado, and nuts. Even so, Dr. McConnell suggests beginning with a clear picture of your individual mental and physical wellbeing.

Patients begin with a Comprehensive Health Evaluation inclusive of blood work, diagnostics, cognitive stability testing, and consultations. Add on highly advanced tests such a genomics or OmegaQuant are provided to the patients as needed. “Once I have a chance to review the results with the patient, our team follows them throughout their customized program. No one program is the same. “ A Cognitive Stability Index test is included in the preventive age management evaluation.

It is more about looking at the whole picture. Nutrition partnered with Exercise, Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT), and stem cell therapies enable us to achieve results that many patients feel immediately. Eating low on the glycemic index is definitely an important part of reaching those goals. Improving cognitive function and preventing neurodegenerative disease is more often a multifaceted approach,” says Dr. McConnell.

Consider starting with a “low” versus “no” glycemic diet. It’s all about healthy choices. Here are a few smart steps to get you started:

Step 1: Swap high GI foods for low GI foods. Not sure which foods are high or low? Go to www.FitMedPartners.com and use the Glycemic Index Foundation Swap It search.

Step 2: Eat at least one serving of a low GI carbohydrate food at each meal, and choose low GI snacks.

Step 3: Keep your eye on serving sizes. Eating too much food, even if it’s a healthy choice, isn’t good for you.

Swap it! Try these simple swaps or use our link to the Glycemic Index Foundation Swap It tool.