Quote:
Originally Posted by swiggy
What do you think of the following blog entry from a former Vegan?
A Vegan No More
Saying a "raw" diet will almost promise not to get cancers/diseases is something you should be cautious about saying, IMO it's a false hope (a big maybe). Plus many vegans don't follow that lifestyle diet properly and neglect their body.
On the topic of cancer and diet... If it were true, just diet, there would be more emphasis in cancer prevention and not "finding a cure" and there would be lower rates of middle to high income earners who get this disease. Don't get me wrong, I want a cure... But it seems this is a safety net to say to those who are afraid because a friend or a family member has had it in the past. It's something we can control tangibly, obsess over healthy living and it helps to forget the other factors.
There are so many other factors in a person other than diet that causes these illnesses, such as past history, physical activity, where you live (environment), your economic status, mental health etc. So what works for one may not work for another. Many skin cancers are neglect of prevention of protection of UVA/UVB rays. Dysgerminoma (Germ Cell Tumor) Ovarian cancer is still considered rare because it happens when the ovum is released and fails to migrate properly.
I say this as an ovarian cancer survivor (one spoken above) and experiencing it first hand at 15 years old; first in my province to have that kind of cancer at my age and 3rd in all of Canada at the time (2001). When speaking to doctors and RN's, I was surprised to learn how much goes into how to get rid of it instead of how to prevent it, and when you look into fundraisers a bit closer, it's advancements on treatment and not a cure (I'm sure politics from pharmaceuticals is a factor there) that gets the most money. Plus think of how many cooperations will lose millions, maybe more, because they can no longer use "breast cancer" (example) as a marketing tool? As sick as that sounds, it's reality. A lot of product sells because it has that pink ribbon on it.
I believe there is more to it than just "not understanding nutrition" for a lot of people, and poverty is a big one. If you're trying, and organic banana is 6 dollars and one with pesticides is only 2, you're on a tight budget, you'll go for the 2 dollar one. And it's thanks to human genetic mutation of certain seeds that places can grow their crops in severe weather conditions whereas those people would die off from starvation.
If you have the option to eat organic, great. I really hope it does prove beneficial. If you see those who don't, not the best to jump to lack reason of knowledge/understanding for everybody. But we can all agree that blatant ignorance (like you mentioned giving a young child a large coke and a (I assume) peperoni pizza or you only eat take-out, fast food or eating Nutella thinking it's healthy), should be pointed out and corrected as much as possible.
*throws two pennies at the forum* |
You are absolutely right about vegans, and I’d like to point out I’m not really big on labeling anyone. I don’t like to call myself a vegan, or a vegetarian for that matter. If a person is eating only celery and cabbage, they can call themselves a vegan, but they’re not healthier than anyone who eats just lunchmeat and cheese. Balanced nutrition takes knowledge on what your body needs. The general public is not informed on what their bodies need. They know: Fast food = bad.. veggies = good.. (<- say that in cookie monster voice.) But they don’t understand the implementing of this reality.
When talking about organics, I completely agree. The impoverished really do take a back seat when it comes to the concern of our socieyt. I guess when I say ‘people’ I mean to say society.. ?.. It’s hard to find someone to point a finger at. Our main focus as a society is on frivolous luxuries such as automobiles and houses. In my opinion, you should pay as much as possible for the food you put in your body. Your house doesn’t represent you, neither does your car. Your body is your main vehicle. If you treat it like shit, eat shit, you are going to feel like shit and you’re going to get sick and die sooner.
When it comes to environment, at least your physical outdoor surroundings, your body knows how to adapt. You can reverse cancer, Max Gerson proved that in the 1940’s. I highly recommend anyone looking into the Gerson Therapy or watching “The Gerson Miracle”. If we are walking around toxic environment while we are malnourished, our immune systems don’t stand a fighting chance. We are the ones who make the ultimate decision to eat foods conveniently, but it’s not fully understood that this can lead to so many side effects including a premature, painful death. Environmental issues are definitely something to shake your finger at, please don’t think I’m brushing that off. But it starts with us. I hate that we are being mislead by advertising and the media to believe that this is all a mystery. It’s not a mystery, it’s just more profitable to have a nation full of sick, pill popping drones.
In another aspect of environment, that I think leads to the biggest issue, is your environment at home. If your parents aren’t taught the way to properly nourish their bodies with nutrition, then they are never going to teach it to their children. Unless they take some time to look into it, but that’s rare. I can see why people think obesity is a genetic disorder, but it’s more of a social disorder than anything. People accept that they will get type 2 diabetes because 90% of their family has it. The thought of that makes me sick. A lot of people would say they’re lazy, I say their uneducated and misinformed.
It’s all about convenience. It’s not convenient to tell the general public that we are killing ourselves with shit food. It’s not convenient for the prescription drug companies to admit that you can cure yourselves with the most natural plant based diet. It’s not convenient to go home and make a salad with fresh veggies for dinner. It’s not convenient to pay more for organic. I think I’m starting to sound like an asshole, that’s not my goal. With all that said, I think Trader Joe’s is doing a pretty good job of making organic produce more convenient. High 5 for Trader Joe’s.
Be looking for my book in about 30 years when I finally gather all my thoughts and compile them. it’ll be called “Convenience is Killing Us”, by Mendy Ray.