Column #34

“Religions become institutions when the myths and rituals . . . are transformed into authoritative models of orthodoxy (the correct interpretations of myths) and orthopraxy (the correct interpretations of rituals), . . .” An abbreviated quote from No god but God by Dr. Reza Aslan, an internationally acclaimed religious scholar.

Dr. Aslan explains that religions are primarily expressed by one’s beliefs or one’s actions with some religions more focused on beliefs and others more on actions. In all cases the “correct interpretations” define the believers and guide their lives.

His analysis can be applied beyond religions. For instance: the myths and rituals involving money and credit. Americans believe the dollar has value. At one time it did because a “dollar” was redeemable for a specified weight of gold. But the dollar hasn’t been redeemable in gold since 1971. Now it’s a note issued by the Federal Reserve that can be redeemed for U.S. Treasury bills payable in dollars. It’s an IOU loop!

People work for and save dollars. These rituals underscore their faith in the dollar and their belief that more debt is stronger debt. Yet history indicates otherwise in all cases with no exceptions.

Another myth that ignores science is the diet. Modern dietary rituals reinforce themselves with help from the media, educators, churches, government institutions, medical professionals, and “wellness” marketers. Now we have thousands of food myths.

For instance, brown eggs are believed to be healthier than white eggs, yet the nutritional characteristics of both depend on what the chickens ate, not the color of their egg shells.

Foods labeled organic and natural are believed to be healthier and safer, yet the fundamental chemistry of each selected food determines whether or not that food is healthier and safer.

Free range chickens are believed to be nutritionally superior to conventionally raised chickens yet both are fed the same feed, resulting in similar nutrient profiles.

Awareness of Omega-3 is universal so people are often motivated to purchase products with Omega-3 on the label. But unless they understand the requirement for a 1:1 balance between Omega-6 and Omega-3 in cell membranes, the odds of attaining major health benefits are slim to none.

Many believe that in order to cure and prevent chronic diseases regular doctor visits are mandatory. Yet chronic diseases are strongly impacted by diet. Prescriptions and drugs mostly focus on single pathways that may bring some improvement but these narrow approaches seldom cure. On the other hand a proper diet is a broad-based approach that addresses all aspects of body function at the same time. That approach has the best record of success.

Virtually nobody realizes that, based on nutritional science, the recommended diet for optimizing health is simply green leafy vegetables, grass-fed meat, Omega-3 meat, and wild-caught seafood. Our modern world is complex and what is known is increasing exponentially. This means we must keep learning and seek out the most credible sources for our information in order to avoid the myths and rituals trap.

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.

For additional reading:

Dr. Reza Aslan

Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond: Gold & Silver

Federal Reserve History: Nixon Ends Convertibility of US Dollars to Gold and Announces Wage/Price Controls

USDA and Brown Eggs Nutrition (When this link opens the answer is at the top of the page.)

Organically Grown Poisonous Plants

What is Organic?

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