Elf Sternberg

I was intrigued this morning by an article entitled On the Evils of Wheat, by Dr. William Davis. There is strong evidence that grains, especially modern refined grains, have a much more powerful insulimic response than other sources of carbohydrates, and are much more easily digested, leading to a strong fat-creation reaction within the body. Just how strong this reaction is, and just how problematic it is, if it's a problem at all, is up for some debate.

So I was hellaciously annoyed when I read the author state flatly:

New strains [of grains] have been generated using what the wheat industry proudly insists are "traditional breeding techniques," though they involve processes like gamma irradiation and toxins such as sodium azide. The poison control people will tell you that if someone accidentally ingests sodium azide, you shouldn’t try to resuscitate the person because you could die, too, giving CPR. This is a highly toxic chemical.

Now that's some high-grade bullshit right there, right up with the whole "there are detergents in your vaccines" screech coming out of the anti-vax people right now.

Of course, a "detergent" is just a chemical that allows two immiscible liquids to be dispersed together, and detergents are used in all manner of edible foods such as salad dressing and sauces. Sulfate-based detergents are used in all sorts of injected medicines to keep particulate injectibles evenly dispersed throughout a liquid medium. You get more sodium lauryl sulfate into your system every time you wash your hair than you do whenever you get a flu shot.

But Dr. Davis' gambit is classic: because two strains of wheat were mutated together under the influence of sodium azide, and sodium azide is an incredibly powerful toxin that will kill you in minute amounts, therefore wheat can become an incredibly toxic substance that will kill you in small amounts. At least, that's the association he wants to create in your mind.

Way to blow your credibility in the second paragraph, dude.