Golf Pro Michelle Wie Goes Gluten-free

Wie Inspired by Djokovic

Last Thursday, Michelle Wie, the U.S. golf champion and phemo, announced to the Tapei Times that she has gone gluten-free.  Her choice was inspired by Tennis Champ, Novak Djokovic.  In March, Djokovic announced that a gluten free diet was a key reason that his tennis game has improved so dramatically over the course of that season. 

The Tapei Times quoted Wie:

“I am allergic to everything in this world, I don’t really digest food very well . . . so I just thought maybe if I cut out gluten, I can feel better because I heard that it causes inflammation, everything ... but it’s been week three and I feel a big difference.”

Wei began her career at 16 and is currently going to Stanford.  She mentioned that she has no trouble balancing her class load at Stanford with her golf career. 

“You know, my joints don’t feel sore as much, I digest food a lot better, my hands feel less swollen so I feel really good,” she said.

 The Wall Street Journal wrote about Djokovic's rise from January 2011 to May 2011:

Djokovic's season has gone from good to great to outrageously, impossibly, unrealistically phenomenal.

Recent Studies Conducted Because of Gluten-based Illnesses

This is further evidence that supports Dr. Alessio Fasano's findings that no human being can properly digest gluten. The Tender Palate interviewed Dr. Fasano in December to help the general public become aware of and better understand his resarch.

Gliadin is a strange protein that our enzymes can’t break down from the amino acids (glutamine and proline) into elements small enough for us to digest.  Our enzymes can only break down the gliadin into peptides.  Peptides are too large to be absorbed properly through the small intestine. 

 As with Djokovic, It will be interesting to watch Michelle Wie throughout this year's performance.  It will also be interesting to see how the medical, research, marketing and farming industries behave as more celebrities and athletes adopt this diet. 

Read the articles and interviews with Dr. Fasano

Interview w/ Dr. Alessio Fasano (Part 1):  Should No One Eat Gluten?

Interview w/ Dr. Alessio Fasano (Part 2):  How to Get Tested for Celiac Disease

Interview w/ Dr. Alessio Fasano (Part 3):  Gluten Sensitivity, A New Food Allergy