In the News

It ain’t rocket science!

            For several years there has been a steady stream of articles that have unequivocally demonstrated that the dozen or so chronic diseases that shorten our lives have almost nothing to do with aging but are the result of poor dietary habits and the near-universal lack of sufficient physical activity. We have dealt with the latter in the last couple of posts but a recent article, Dietary nutrient intake and cognitive function in the Age-Related Eye Disease Studies 1 and 2, in the journal Alzheimer’s and Dementia, confirms what we have been promoting for decades: a diet that includes vitamins, minerals and omega-3 fats slows the loss of cognitive function while a diet high in processed foods and refined carbohydrates does the opposite. The studies of Dr. Dean Ornish clearly show that a mostly vegan diet not only prevents coronary artery disease and stroke, but if vigorously maintained can actually reverse those diseases.

            Is it really so complicated??

            The above-cited article refers to the value of the true Mediterranean diet, which includes little red meat, an abundance of fruits and vegetables, no refined flour or sugars – well, OK, maybe an occasional tiramisu – a daily dose of olive oil and perhaps a single glass of red wine! Not exactly a Spartan regimen.

            Why have the most advanced, knowledgeable and sophisticated countries of the world not adopted these simple lifestyle programs. Perhaps because we are inundated with highly processed foods that are just too tempting to resist. In a recent rip through two chain supermarkets, I was struck by seeing large displays at the entrance of the stores with dozens of counters filled with junk food, beautifully decorated and packaged and surrounded by tempting aromas.

            What will it take to turn things around? 42% of Americans are obese, 40% are overweight, 13 percent have type 2 diabetes and fewer than 25 percent of young Americans can pass the entrance physical for the armed forces. What will our population look like in 2050?