Overnutrition, obesity, caloric restriction, health and economic survival
Recently, The Tufts University Health and Nutrition Letter warned against eating red and processed meats because they promote
cancer, heart disease, diabetes and all-cause mortality. While a modest intake of meat is generally acceptable to nutritional scientists, my research indicates that they recommend reducing
our intake; for example, the World Cancer Research Fund recommended in a comprehensive 2007 report that we should
cut red meat intake to about 11 ounces a week. The nutritional biochemist, Professor Colin Campbell, urges following a
plant-based diet exclusively.
Dr. Denis Burkitt reported in his book on Western Diseases that deviation from our traditional plant- based diet has led to an
epidemic of chronic diseases which he found absent from
populations not following Western food patterns and lifestyle.
For example, he examined the records of about 1000 rural
hospitals and found virtually no deaths from Western chronic
diseases (e.g., coronary heart disease, diabetes and certain
cancers).
Another aspect of nutrition is the amount of calories
consumed. Even healthful food can be over-consumed with
harmful consequences. The next examples are for illustrative
purposes and not recommended as a standard practice.
However, the examples indicate that humans can be healthy
with relatively low food intake.
Recently two studies have found that reduced nutrition is not
harmful but promotes better health. For example, a study of
the Great Depression found that mortality rates dropped for
virtually all age groups, including infants. In addition, during
the 20th C, the largest jump in life expectancy occurred during
the depression. While malnutrition is harmful to our health,
this study indicates that we don't have to consume excessive
intakes of food to be healthy.
Another study on the Great Leap Forward Famine, which
occurred in China, found that people who were conceived or
born during the famine actually were healthier and had a longer
life expectancy than people born after the famine ended. Again, starvation is not being recommended but this study shows that
modest food intake does not mean poor health.
Earlier generations of Okinawans consumed fewer calories than mainland Japan. Yet, Okinawa has more centenarians and less
chronic disease than the mainland. In fact, they, along with
parts of Sardinia, have the most centenarians in the world.
Caloric restriction studies with animals have been conducted
for about 60 years. Most have shown that animals on nutritious
calorie restricted diets are healthier and live longer. Humans
are now practicing caloric restriction with well-balanced and nutritious diets. Early findings indicate that health benefits are
being experienced although they haven't been followed for
enough years to demonstrate increased longevity.
Anyone considering reducing their caloric intake below normal
levels should consult a medical doctor and nutritionist for
guidance on how to assure adequate protein, mineral and
vitamin levels.
Certainly, eating less to maintain a body weight at the
lower end of the healthy body mass index (18.5 to 24.9)
is a wise strategy. The 2007 World Cancer Research Fund
report recommends a range of 21 to 23.
cancer, heart disease, diabetes and all-cause mortality. While a modest intake of meat is generally acceptable to nutritional scientists, my research indicates that they recommend reducing
our intake; for example, the World Cancer Research Fund recommended in a comprehensive 2007 report that we should
cut red meat intake to about 11 ounces a week. The nutritional biochemist, Professor Colin Campbell, urges following a
plant-based diet exclusively.
Dr. Denis Burkitt reported in his book on Western Diseases that deviation from our traditional plant- based diet has led to an
epidemic of chronic diseases which he found absent from
populations not following Western food patterns and lifestyle.
For example, he examined the records of about 1000 rural
hospitals and found virtually no deaths from Western chronic
diseases (e.g., coronary heart disease, diabetes and certain
cancers).
Another aspect of nutrition is the amount of calories
consumed. Even healthful food can be over-consumed with
harmful consequences. The next examples are for illustrative
purposes and not recommended as a standard practice.
However, the examples indicate that humans can be healthy
with relatively low food intake.
Recently two studies have found that reduced nutrition is not
harmful but promotes better health. For example, a study of
the Great Depression found that mortality rates dropped for
virtually all age groups, including infants. In addition, during
the 20th C, the largest jump in life expectancy occurred during
the depression. While malnutrition is harmful to our health,
this study indicates that we don't have to consume excessive
intakes of food to be healthy.
Another study on the Great Leap Forward Famine, which
occurred in China, found that people who were conceived or
born during the famine actually were healthier and had a longer
life expectancy than people born after the famine ended. Again, starvation is not being recommended but this study shows that
modest food intake does not mean poor health.
Earlier generations of Okinawans consumed fewer calories than mainland Japan. Yet, Okinawa has more centenarians and less
chronic disease than the mainland. In fact, they, along with
parts of Sardinia, have the most centenarians in the world.
Caloric restriction studies with animals have been conducted
for about 60 years. Most have shown that animals on nutritious
calorie restricted diets are healthier and live longer. Humans
are now practicing caloric restriction with well-balanced and nutritious diets. Early findings indicate that health benefits are
being experienced although they haven't been followed for
enough years to demonstrate increased longevity.
Anyone considering reducing their caloric intake below normal
levels should consult a medical doctor and nutritionist for
guidance on how to assure adequate protein, mineral and
vitamin levels.
Certainly, eating less to maintain a body weight at the
lower end of the healthy body mass index (18.5 to 24.9)
is a wise strategy. The 2007 World Cancer Research Fund
report recommends a range of 21 to 23.
It's no secret that we are over nourished. Overweight and
obesity are widespread in the US and the rest of the world.
Yet, we continue to expend few resources to help our people
control the types and amounts of food eaten.
obesity are widespread in the US and the rest of the world.
Yet, we continue to expend few resources to help our people
control the types and amounts of food eaten.
Of course, we all want our children and relatives to be
healthy and free of disease. Yet, the food industry
spends $1000 advertising processed and fast foods while
organizations promoting whole grains, fruits, vegetables
and legumes spend $1.
healthy and free of disease. Yet, the food industry
spends $1000 advertising processed and fast foods while
organizations promoting whole grains, fruits, vegetables
and legumes spend $1.
A government department has estimated that health care
costs will reach $16 trillion by 2030. This is an unsustainable
cost. As a result, we must all focus on reducing over
consumption of calories and saturated fats or most of our
future income will be spent on health care.
costs will reach $16 trillion by 2030. This is an unsustainable
cost. As a result, we must all focus on reducing over
consumption of calories and saturated fats or most of our
future income will be spent on health care.
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