Marcelene D.

Marcelene had some incredibly kind words about Grain Brain, and I wanted to share her story with you. Hers is an incredibly powerful reminder of just how significant of an impact changing your diet can have. – Dr. Perlmutter

I was not born with a seizure disorder.  I have always been extremely healthy: exercise daily, use supplements, meditate, drink plenty of water, get regular sleep of eight hours, and my weight has always been in the lean mass area. However, in my late 40s I began having petit mal seizures.

Then, at age 49, I had a grand mal seizure. This one opened up a new world of this disorder. When my neurologist stated he would not take them himself, I refused my medications. I began eliminating all foods with chemicals (artificial sweeteners, food coloring, preservatives, etc.), drank chamomile tea daily, and eliminated alcohol and coffee (stimulants).

Over the next 13 years, I had four more grand mal seizures. Four of the five were while I was asleep. The one during the daytime was after a strenuous day with only a few whole wheat pretzels after breakfast, awaiting dinner. I was studying everything written about this unexplainable brain illness.

Then I read  “Wheat Belly” by Dr. William Davis!  I was captivated by the chapter, “It’s All in Your Head:  Wheat and the Brain.” Immediately, I assessed my intake of whole grains and realized I was deeply into them. I gave up wheat. Completely. I even had withdrawal symptoms!  Lethargy, depression, irritability and mental fog were with me for seven or eight days!  Seriously! It was as close to a drug for me as I imagine heroin is to a heroin addict. I lived on carbs and thought whole grains were my healthiest choice. Then I just quit all wheat.

And I began to notice something. I was suddenly mentally sharp again! I had new energy. Energy available to enjoy my large family and outings and travel. I loved exploring recipes about cooking without wheat and finding them delicious.

And then “Grain Brain” by Dr. David Perlmutter caught my eye at Barnes and Noble. Here was MY answer! My brain was in trouble and who would have thought WHEAT was behind it all! Ten weeks now and not one hint of this disorder. Not even the slowing down I would have often an hour before one. All gone. Clear. Mentally sharp again. Concentration has returned and my memory is once more outstanding. I credit both these books and these wonderful doctors for their research and determination to put the facts out there for each of us to consider.

For me and my family, it is no longer inevitable that I would probably die of a seizure one day . . .

Seven-month update:  I am completely seizure-free! Not even a mini-seuzure or petit mal seizure! I consider gluten to be the sole culprit of this brain disorder, and I will never eat gluten again. Seven months clear of seizures!

-Marcelene D.