Column #48

My peers, circa 1944, are grappling with chronic diseases; some have died. Twenty years ago I was having health issues but I suppressed (cured?) them by following the dietary recommendations of nutritional scientists. I do not visit doctors. Amazingly, when I tell my food chemistry story, some folks get upset and even demand retribution!

Over the years, I’ve observed the following basic dietary approaches:

1) Don’t care
2) Eat cheaply
3) Eat extravagantly
4) Eat politically
5) Eat scientifically

Group 5 foods are low glycemic, nutrient diverse and dense, with properly balanced essential fatty acids (EFAs). They’re my foods.

Thousands of studies indicate a 1:1 ratio of essential Omega-6 to Omega-3 fatty acids optimizes brain, immune, and nervous system function. Higher ratios lead to autoimmune issues and chronic diseases. Most Americans are 10:1 to 25:1 and many have more than one chronic disease.

High glycemic foods cause fungal related issues such as diabetes, joint pain, skin allergies, and more. Nutritional deficiencies also cause chronic diseases.

Every food has its own chemistry. Kale, a super food, ranks a ten. All grass-fed, omega-3 meats, and wild caught seafood are tens. But grains, nuts, soy, and fruit are sixes. Cooking oils (even olive oil) are threes. If our bodies require tens, anything less is a deficiency.

Groups 1 and 2 need little explaining. I’ve been there and done that and the conclusion is that you can pay now (by eating nutritional food) or pay later (for doctors, operations, and prescriptions).

Group 3 foods are sold by Omaha Steaks, Fresh Market, and other high end marketers. Their top quality food items have the same food chemistry as similar low quality food items.

Political Group 4 is dominated by health food marketers: Whole Foods, health food stores, Internet marketers, “healthy recipes,” fitness gurus, diet books, etc. This politicized niche is expensive, conforms to consumer preferences, and relies on keywords. Unfortunately, keywords won’t improve the chemistry of grains, nuts, soy, fruit, and grain-fed meats. But they boost sales!

Group 4 foods are political perceptions of nutrition where science is ignored and/or taken out of context. Often chemistry is limited to extolling a singular virtue resulting in recommendations to replace sugar with honey, eat gluten free whole grains, eat lots of fruit, select low fat products, and eat organic corn/soy/etc.

Health food marketers hype political keywords to boost sales. Many boost sales with fear tactics that make consumers reject nutritional science, genetics, and chemistry. Although politicized keywords have merit, they are not as important as the impact of food chemistry on body function. Nutritionally, politically correct foods are no different from foods without fancy labels. Unfortunately, most health conscience consumers are conned by Group 4 marketers.

Since 1980 organic food sales soared from near zero to 5% of all food sold while per-capita healthcare costs increased nine times! Unless consumers understand how food causes chronic diseases, our country’s health crisis will never end. That’s why “Beyond Organic” is critically important. Our bodies always react to food chemistry, not politics.

To your health.

Ted Slanker

Ted Slanker has been reporting on the fundamentals of nutritional research in publications, television and radio appearances, and at conferences since 1999. He condenses complex studies into the basics required for health and well-being. His eBook, The Real Diet of Man, is available online.

Don’t miss these links for additional reading:

The Importance of the Ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids

Some of the Science Behind Fungal Issues

The First Recognized Nutritional Deficiency

The Growing Crisis of Chronic Disease in the United States

Health Care Costs: A Primer

Food Analysis