Column #100

Marketing products with ideologies is rarely as rewarding as simply embellishing the product. Some products, though, scream ideology from the onset. Their mere mention ramps up emotions on both sides of the isle where folks embrace or boycott them as intolerance runs high on both sides.

So, how tolerant are you? The definitions:

“Tolerance: the ability or willingness to tolerate something, in particular the existence of opinions or behavior that one does not necessarily agree with. Synonyms: acceptance, open-mindedness, broad-mindedness, forbearance, liberalism; patience, charity, indulgence, understanding.”

“Intolerance: unwillingness to accept views, beliefs, or behavior that differ from one’s own.
Synonyms: bigotry, narrow-mindedness, small-mindedness, parochialism, provincialism; prejudice, bias, partisanship, partiality, discrimination; injustice, inequality.”

Ouch!

“Health food” screams ideology because food is cloaked in myths, beliefs, religions, ethnicity, and science. Therefore, as a general rule “health food” fully charges people’s emotions. Pick any food and you’ll often find it has devoted followers or detractors.

We all have different backgrounds. Mine is business, science, agriculture, and history with significant exposure to nature. I like research and have always strived to separate truth from fiction. I look at both sides of a coin for kernels of truth and think of myself as open rather than narrow-minded.

Yet that doesn’t command allegiance. My science-based take on food, nutrition, and chronic disease isn’t always welcomed. In fact, many folks are intolerant, only some are tolerant, and only a tiny fraction agrees with my views. It’s been that way ever since I started marketing grass-fed beef in 1999 and won’t likely change soon.

I recommend foods that are low glycemic, nutrient dense and diverse, with balanced essential fats for suppressing and probably preventing most chronic diseases. That view isn’t tolerated by some medical professionals who believe it’s pure quackery.

I state that grass-fed meat is a natural food for dogs and cats. Both gray wolves and dogs are descendants of an extinct European wolf. The wild gray wolf’s primary food is elk and deer. Yet veterinarians can’t tolerant that view and they recommend kibbles loaded with grain.

I explain how and which foods impact health. Most people find that viewpoint intolerable because they believe health, good or bad, is mostly a factor of age and genetics, not diet.

I explain that plants have powerful natural pesticides that significantly exceed EPA limits for agricultural chemicals. Others believe that everything organic is good for their health and my natural pesticide message is intolerable.

For improved brain, nerve, heart, and immune system function I emphasize the 1:1 balance of Omega-6 and Omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs). Many people can’t grasp the concept, and since they don’t hear much about it, don’t believe it’s meaningful. They can’t tolerate it when I point out the inferior EFA balances of their favorite meats.

Scientific studies have documented that grain damages body function. But often folks find that intolerable because of their traditions and religious beliefs. Some religions are offended by pork. Some religions prohibit the slaughter of cattle and/or eating beef.

There are many examples of myths and beliefs that ignite intolerance and immediate rejection of everything my grass-fed and Omega-3 meat business stands for. Even one word can drive people into the arms of marketers who lure their customers in with fancy wording and coddling hearsay.

Obviously the grass-fed and Omega-3 meat business requires a clientele that is quite tolerant. Everyone walks in their own shoes. Therefore unless we’re tolerant, we can’t see the forest for the trees. Not every tree is perfect, but in spite of flaws, most of the forests I’ve seen are beautiful.

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 Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids by Artemis Simopoulos M.D.

Cereal Grains Double Edge Sword by Loren Cordain

Cattle in Religion and Mythology from Wikipedia

Religious Restrictions on the Consumption of Pork from Wikipedia

Religion and Food

Gray Wolf by National Wildlife Federation

Organically Grown Poisonous Plants by Ted Slanker

Is Red Meat Bad or Good? By Ted Slanker