Is there an ultimate diet for health, energy and disease prevention?
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There may or may not be a single "healthiest" diet, however you define healthiest. Regardless of whether such a diet exists, currently, there is no definitive scientific evidence to say what that diet might be.2
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The China Study (presented in book form by T Collin Campbell) is still the most comprehensive study (number of people and length of time). I recommend you research that.1
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The China Study is a joke - the results that he presented in the book are not the complete results from the study - he only presented the results that supported his pre-supposed conclusions on how people should eat.3
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Was it Michael Pollan who said, "Eat food. Not to much. Mostly Plants"? I can't remember the source, but that was floating around quite a bit a few years ago.2 -
The China Study (presented in book form by T Collin Campbell) is still the most comprehensive study (number of people and length of time). I recommend you research that.
https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/the-china-study-revisited/0 -
stanmann571 wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »RAD_Fitness wrote: »I'll put my two cents. . I think organic food as much as possible, no hormones, no antibiotics as much as possible. Leafy greens, variety of fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, avocado for healthy fats. Try to eat as little as possible things with preservatives, artificial colorings and ingredients. Drink teas, coffee, kombucha, milk, mineral water, plain water, avoid sodas and artificially flavored drinks. Eat everything in moderation, meaning from every food group, not excluding anything.
organic foods and vegetables are still treated with pesticides and what not...
most organic foods are just a ploy to get more money out of you...
That's not true. When something says organic it has to have something like 90-95% of product must be made with no synthetic additives (pesticides, dyes, chemical fertilizers and without genetic engineering) and the remaining percentage must be only used with things off of a certain list. It may be a ploy to get more money, but it does have more "value" in terms of what you are getting which is why it costs more.
I think you may be confusing it with "natural" which is more of a loose term.
wrong..they still use things like DDT on organic vegetables...see the study that @psuLemon posted
There are no matches for DDT in Lemon's link.
I use Bt in my garden, and the idea that it is comparable to DDT is ludicrous.
Also, DDT was banned for agricultural use in the US in 1972 so what are you even talking about?
Which is unfortunate, because it could have completely eliminated malaria carrying mosquitos worldwide.
Mosquitos we're actually starting to develop resistance to DDT.0 -
markswife1992 wrote: »CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »There is no "diet" that helps. You should know that. cancer doesn't care who it picks on, doesn't matter if you are fat, skinny, just right, cancer just does. not. care.
You can be living the healthiest lifestyle in the world, eating veggies, doing it "right" if you are going to get it, you'll get it.
Of course if you are reading this and you are under 26, and have not had a HPV vaccine, what are you waiting for? Get to the Dr and get it! Mine was caused by HPV, its the fastest growing strain, HPV positive. Go get the vaccine!
If I have scared some into doing it, GOOD, because I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy.
The HPV vaccine only covers a few strains that cause cancer. it doesnt cover all the strains that can cause cancer so you can still get one of the strains that causes cancer even with the vaccine, its called use condoms, protect yourself .some HPV strains cause no cancer and go away on their own . something like 75% of people in the world have HPV and dont know it and there is no test for it,except for maybe getting abnormal paps and them finding it that way.
if someone wants to get it that is their choice Im not knocking it at all
and scary to recommend a vaccine without dr approval. i have a friend whose daughter had the first injection (apparently you have to have a couple+, not just one) and she became very sick from it. i think a physician should be recommending this vaccine.
I don't see any issue recommending the vaccine. You have to get it from a healthcare professional, so I see no issue at all. The vaccine now covers more strains, and is effective against the strains which cause over 70 percent of cervical cancers. But I digress.6 -
Almonds and other nuts have a ton of cancer fighting properties. Whole foods. Little to no sugar. An alkaline environment makes cancer die. It's impossible for it to grow in it. Avocados, lemons. Especially lemon water in the morning. Cucumbers. As much organic as possible. Low levels of dairy.0
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markswife1992 wrote: »CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »There is no "diet" that helps. You should know that. cancer doesn't care who it picks on, doesn't matter if you are fat, skinny, just right, cancer just does. not. care.
You can be living the healthiest lifestyle in the world, eating veggies, doing it "right" if you are going to get it, you'll get it.
Of course if you are reading this and you are under 26, and have not had a HPV vaccine, what are you waiting for? Get to the Dr and get it! Mine was caused by HPV, its the fastest growing strain, HPV positive. Go get the vaccine!
If I have scared some into doing it, GOOD, because I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy.
The HPV vaccine only covers a few strains that cause cancer. it doesnt cover all the strains that can cause cancer so you can still get one of the strains that causes cancer even with the vaccine, its called use condoms, protect yourself .some HPV strains cause no cancer and go away on their own . something like 75% of people in the world have HPV and dont know it and there is no test for it,except for maybe getting abnormal paps and them finding it that way.
if someone wants to get it that is their choice Im not knocking it at all
and scary to recommend a vaccine without dr approval. i have a friend whose daughter had the first injection (apparently you have to have a couple+, not just one) and she became very sick from it. i think a physician should be recommending this vaccine.
I don't see any issue recommending the vaccine. You have to get it from a healthcare professional, so I see no issue at all. The vaccine now covers more strains, and is effective against the strains which cause over 70 percent of cervical cancers. But I digress.
the gardasil site says 9 strains but the national cancer institute says there are only 2 type 16 and 18 that cause cancer. so why then is there a vaccine to cover 9 strains? there are more than 40 types though. I just find that odd that if only 2 strains are the main causes then why cover more strains? thats like the flu vaccine only covering 4 strains a year and they are all the previous years strains. but hey to each their own.0 -
danigirl1011 wrote: »Almonds and other nuts have a ton of cancer fighting properties. Whole foods. Little to no sugar. An alkaline environment makes cancer die. It's impossible for it to grow in it. Avocados, lemons. Especially lemon water in the morning. Cucumbers. As much organic as possible. Low levels of dairy.
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markswife1992 wrote: »i have recently been Dx with two types of arthritis as well as some other issues, some autoimmune, and others related to my thyroid, etc. i am seeing a fantastic dr right now, he is new to me, but so far has been wonderful with treatment plans that i can live with. he treats each patient differently, even if they have the same Dx. anyway, he just recommended a very-low carb diet for me, and i haven't started yet. i have done one in the past, and it is very difficult for me to stick with. i am weak! LOL July 1st i am going to start doing everything he recommends and see how much improvement i see. i also have diagnosed celiac (so do all 3 of my children) so this is all news to us and we are learning as we go. i wish you well no matter what you choose. my cousin and his wife are vegan and love it, they seem to be very healthy.
Speaking as someone else with two forms of arthritis and celiac disease, if low carbing doesn't work for you, you don't have to stick with it!
I found that regular exercise, regular movement throughout the day, and reaching a healthy weight along with proper medication (I'm on a prescription NSAID for the osteoarthritis and a biologic for the psoriatic arthritis) have done more for the inflammation that comes along with my medical conditions.
I thrive on a higher starch/carbohydrate diet that also has a lot of protein and very little in the way of fat.
I cannot maintain the level of activity I need to keep my joints limber on a low carb diet, and do not feel satiated by fat.
It's popular to think that carbs are inflammatory and bad for arthritis, and I will counter that thinking every chance I get, especially if living without them is keeping someone from being active. Keeping still is the biggest enemy to your joints.
ETA: To the topic of the OP, I guess all I've said to this point sort of feeds into it. I feel that reaching and maintaining a healthy weight and being active are of primary importance. Your diet should support those goals. Other healthy habits like good sleep, not smoking, not drinking to excess should support them as well.
The best diet to achieve a healthy weight will, I personally think, contain plenty of vegetables, and if a person chooses, fruit. It will contain adequate protein and can contain more than adequate protein if it suits personal preferences. Everyone should consume a minimal amount of healthy fats. After that point? If your personal goals and preferences are met with more starches/carbohydrates or more fats is an individual choice. If you want to include some indulgence foods in an otherwise well-rounded diet, that's also an individual choice.
I don't think single foods make or break a diet's overall "healthiness".
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OP, I totally agree with all the posters who are basically saying eat a varied and nutritious diet that keeps you at a healthy weight while still enjoying the heck out of food, and be as active as possible.
I'm also really fascinated by the "blue zones" (i got the book but haven't read it yet, but have read a lot online). Basically, these are local areas scattered all over the world, with an unusually high number of healthy and active centenarians. While I think what they REALLY have in common is active and social lifestyles, the majority of them have diets based around veggies, whole grains, fish, and legumes in differing percentages.
I suspect finding the healthiest diet is a personal journey that takes a lifetime, and that over-complicating it actually leads you in the wrong direction
Congrats BTW!!!
Yes. Healthy weight and active lifestyle is probably the key factor there. That being said, it is quite a bit easier to not get fat on such a diet (many of those foods are low calorie density and include a good amount of fiber).
My advice would be to make sure to hit adequate fiber, protein, fat and not so much food in total that you'll get overweight. and preferably varied, so you are not repeatedly missing some key vitamin/mineral/amino acid/etc.0 -
CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »markswife1992 wrote: »CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »There is no "diet" that helps. You should know that. cancer doesn't care who it picks on, doesn't matter if you are fat, skinny, just right, cancer just does. not. care.
You can be living the healthiest lifestyle in the world, eating veggies, doing it "right" if you are going to get it, you'll get it.
Of course if you are reading this and you are under 26, and have not had a HPV vaccine, what are you waiting for? Get to the Dr and get it! Mine was caused by HPV, its the fastest growing strain, HPV positive. Go get the vaccine!
If I have scared some into doing it, GOOD, because I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy.
The HPV vaccine only covers a few strains that cause cancer. it doesnt cover all the strains that can cause cancer so you can still get one of the strains that causes cancer even with the vaccine, its called use condoms, protect yourself .some HPV strains cause no cancer and go away on their own . something like 75% of people in the world have HPV and dont know it and there is no test for it,except for maybe getting abnormal paps and them finding it that way.
if someone wants to get it that is their choice Im not knocking it at all
and scary to recommend a vaccine without dr approval. i have a friend whose daughter had the first injection (apparently you have to have a couple+, not just one) and she became very sick from it. i think a physician should be recommending this vaccine.
I don't see any issue recommending the vaccine. You have to get it from a healthcare professional, so I see no issue at all. The vaccine now covers more strains, and is effective against the strains which cause over 70 percent of cervical cancers. But I digress.
the gardasil site says 9 strains but the national cancer institute says there are only 2 type 16 and 18 that cause cancer. so why then is there a vaccine to cover 9 strains? there are more than 40 types though. I just find that odd that if only 2 strains are the main causes then why cover more strains? thats like the flu vaccine only covering 4 strains a year and they are all the previous years strains. but hey to each their own.
Unless I read it wrong, there are now 7 oncogenic strains, but I'm going by the company website.0 -
danigirl1011 wrote: »Almonds and other nuts have a ton of cancer fighting properties. Whole foods. Little to no sugar. An alkaline environment makes cancer die. It's impossible for it to grow in it. Avocados, lemons. Especially lemon water in the morning. Cucumbers. As much organic as possible. Low levels of dairy.
Please stop. Unless you'd like to link to all the peer reviewed research proving avocado and lemon kills cancer cells. I'm sure all the oncologists and nurse navigators who have to watch cancer patients suffer and sometimes die would be thrilled to see that ground breaking research.7 -
danigirl1011 wrote: »Almonds and other nuts have a ton of cancer fighting properties. Whole foods. Little to no sugar. An alkaline environment makes cancer die. It's impossible for it to grow in it. Avocados, lemons. Especially lemon water in the morning. Cucumbers. As much organic as possible. Low levels of dairy.
No no no!
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The China Study (presented in book form by T Collin Campbell) is still the most comprehensive study (number of people and length of time). I recommend you research that.
Yeah....no...the results he presented in his book were cherry picked and do not represent the actual results of the study...he presented based on personal bias and what he wanted the outcome to be. Other scientists have picked him apart.2 -
I know why remnants of DDT are found on organic farms. They will also find PCB's and dioxins. These chemicals have a special property; they are practically indestructible. PCB's for instance, were used for years in transformers as they wouldn't break down even in that extreme environment.
Then a transformer blows, the environmental clean-up team come out in their hazmat suits and gingerly mop up every bit of the transformer oil. A reporter shows up, takes a few pictures, and googles "PCB's". The next thing you know there's a news article on page 10 about "Toxic PCB spill".
PCB's aren't toxic; they are just...ubiquitous. There are PCB's, I guarantee, in your body and in the mammary glands of every mammal on earth. The farther up you are on the food chain, the more PCB's you'll have in your system.
We learned a lesson with DDT. All this accumulating indestructible chemical can't be all good. It's bad for the environment. You want to control how far it spreads.0 -
CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »markswife1992 wrote: »CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »There is no "diet" that helps. You should know that. cancer doesn't care who it picks on, doesn't matter if you are fat, skinny, just right, cancer just does. not. care.
You can be living the healthiest lifestyle in the world, eating veggies, doing it "right" if you are going to get it, you'll get it.
Of course if you are reading this and you are under 26, and have not had a HPV vaccine, what are you waiting for? Get to the Dr and get it! Mine was caused by HPV, its the fastest growing strain, HPV positive. Go get the vaccine!
If I have scared some into doing it, GOOD, because I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy.
The HPV vaccine only covers a few strains that cause cancer. it doesnt cover all the strains that can cause cancer so you can still get one of the strains that causes cancer even with the vaccine, its called use condoms, protect yourself .some HPV strains cause no cancer and go away on their own . something like 75% of people in the world have HPV and dont know it and there is no test for it,except for maybe getting abnormal paps and them finding it that way.
if someone wants to get it that is their choice Im not knocking it at all
and scary to recommend a vaccine without dr approval. i have a friend whose daughter had the first injection (apparently you have to have a couple+, not just one) and she became very sick from it. i think a physician should be recommending this vaccine.
I don't see any issue recommending the vaccine. You have to get it from a healthcare professional, so I see no issue at all. The vaccine now covers more strains, and is effective against the strains which cause over 70 percent of cervical cancers. But I digress.
the gardasil site says 9 strains but the national cancer institute says there are only 2 type 16 and 18 that cause cancer. so why then is there a vaccine to cover 9 strains? there are more than 40 types though. I just find that odd that if only 2 strains are the main causes then why cover more strains? thats like the flu vaccine only covering 4 strains a year and they are all the previous years strains. but hey to each their own.
Unless I read it wrong, there are now 7 oncogenic strains, but I'm going by the company website.
GARDASIL 9 is a vaccine indicated in females 9 through 26 years of age for the prevention of cervical, vulvar, vaginal, and anal cancers caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) Types 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58;(seven here) precancerous(which of course can become cancer) or dysplastic lesions caused by HPV Types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58;(9 here) and genital warts caused by HPV Types 6 and 11. 16 and 18 are the ones knows for the main causes of cancer though-https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/infectious-agents/hpv-fact-sheet
but then again vaccines are not 100% effective and may not give protection.0 -
theplainvegan wrote: »RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »
She should be listening to her oncologist.
I agree, I've never asked why she doesn't turn to her oncologist for advice about diet. I personally consult my physician when I have questions related to nutrition.
Side note, unless your physician is trained in nutritional science, they probably know very little. Most have zero education in this science. You'd be better off getting a referral from a dietitian.
Very true! I'm quite lucky in that my physcian is, but I understand that is often not the case. I genuinely fear the day he retires...0 -
danigirl1011 wrote: »Almonds and other nuts have a ton of cancer fighting properties. Whole foods. Little to no sugar. An alkaline environment makes cancer die. It's impossible for it to grow in it. Avocados, lemons. Especially lemon water in the morning. Cucumbers. As much organic as possible. Low levels of dairy.
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10507793/alkaline-diet-creater-convicted-of-practicing-medicine-without-a-license#latest6 -
danigirl1011 wrote: »Almonds and other nuts have a ton of cancer fighting properties. Whole foods. Little to no sugar. An alkaline environment makes cancer die. It's impossible for it to grow in it. Avocados, lemons. Especially lemon water in the morning. Cucumbers. As much organic as possible. Low levels of dairy.
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danigirl1011 wrote: »Almonds and other nuts have a ton of cancer fighting properties. Whole foods. Little to no sugar. An alkaline environment makes cancer die. It's impossible for it to grow in it. Avocados, lemons. Especially lemon water in the morning. Cucumbers. As much organic as possible. Low levels of dairy.
Actually she has one thing right. Of course cancer cells die if we change our body's pH level...... because our bodies die 6 -
danigirl1011 wrote: »Almonds and other nuts have a ton of cancer fighting properties. Whole foods. Little to no sugar. An alkaline environment makes cancer die. It's impossible for it to grow in it. Avocados, lemons. Especially lemon water in the morning. Cucumbers. As much organic as possible. Low levels of dairy.
Your body works very, very hard to not let you change its Ph or you will die. Change your body to an alkaline environment, and yeah your cancer will die because you will too. There is absolutely no evidence for nuts fighting cancer. You have condensed so much woo into one post.8 -
@FindingBecky The answer is "No". I congratulate you on whipping cancer twice. My step-mom has also whipped cancer twice and at the age of 80 continues eating a Standard American Diet. My father's aunt dipped tobacco snuff and ate bacon fat until it killed her. She was 93.
The 'ultimate' life and health advice includes exercise, red wine, and metformin. Since metformin is a prescription, about the best you can do is exercise lots, reach and maintain a healthy BMI, and consume red wine.0 -
markswife1992 wrote: »CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »There is no "diet" that helps. You should know that. cancer doesn't care who it picks on, doesn't matter if you are fat, skinny, just right, cancer just does. not. care.
You can be living the healthiest lifestyle in the world, eating veggies, doing it "right" if you are going to get it, you'll get it.
Of course if you are reading this and you are under 26, and have not had a HPV vaccine, what are you waiting for? Get to the Dr and get it! Mine was caused by HPV, its the fastest growing strain, HPV positive. Go get the vaccine!
If I have scared some into doing it, GOOD, because I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy.
The HPV vaccine only covers a few strains that cause cancer. it doesnt cover all the strains that can cause cancer so you can still get one of the strains that causes cancer even with the vaccine, its called use condoms, protect yourself .some HPV strains cause no cancer and go away on their own . something like 75% of people in the world have HPV and dont know it and there is no test for it,except for maybe getting abnormal paps and them finding it that way.
if someone wants to get it that is their choice Im not knocking it at all
and scary to recommend a vaccine without dr approval. i have a friend whose daughter had the first injection (apparently you have to have a couple+, not just one) and she became very sick from it. i think a physician should be recommending this vaccine.
You can also get horror stories from women who have had oncogenic HPV and had to go through multiple rounds of biopises before having the dysplasia cut out. It is definitely a unique kind of pain.5 -
There are online health and diet services where you can submit Bloodwork and have a DNA analysis done (followed by resulting reports on what you may be at risk for, best diets, healthy weights, etc) but they're about $299.00 to start. But since it's unlikely that you could pay a reasonable fee to get personalized health and diet advice from your doctor or lab without paying the same (or worse)....maybe it would be something of interest for you.0
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As far as the organic diet argument here, I've been eating organic for about 13 years (basically shortly after my son was born) and I'm not "opposed" to GMOs just because they are called "GMO", am not an anti-vaxxer, and understand that basically everything is comprised of chemicals to some degree. Not all people who eat organic think it's a magic pill for perfect health or have weird beliefs in everything holistic. I want to avoid hormones, dyes, and needless allergens. And I feel and function better eating Organic Foods. Unfortunately....there are some weirdos who think anything "natural" is good and anything "manufactured" is bad and make us all seem foolish. Organic foods ARE typically healthier overall than non-organic foods. That doesn't mean EVERY organic food is better or healthier. I don't see what the huge argument *against* organic eating could possibly be.1
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WendyLeigh1119 wrote: »As far as the organic diet argument here, I've been eating organic for about 13 years (basically shortly after my son was born) and I'm not "opposed" to GMOs just because they are called "GMO", am not an anti-vaxxer, and understand that basically everything is comprised of chemicals to some degree. Not all people who eat organic think it's a magic pill for perfect health or have weird beliefs in everything holistic. I want to avoid hormones, dyes, and needless allergens. And I feel and function better eating Organic Foods. Unfortunately....there are some weirdos who think anything "natural" is good and anything "manufactured" is bad and make us all seem foolish. Organic foods ARE typically healthier overall than non-organic foods. That doesn't mean EVERY organic food is better or healthier. I don't see what the huge argument *against* organic eating could possibly be.
The issue is, it's not really true with a few rare exceptions. Some fruits have more phosphorous (which is good if you are in the rare minority that have that issues) and it would appear that chicken/pork have a higher omega 3 ratio. So if anything, I can see a benefit from sourcing those foods that are higher quality.
But you definitely seem to have your reasons to eat that way, which is good. It's the same reason I try to get higher quality meats.2 -
WendyLeigh1119 wrote: »As far as the organic diet argument here, I've been eating organic for about 13 years (basically shortly after my son was born) and I'm not "opposed" to GMOs just because they are called "GMO", am not an anti-vaxxer, and understand that basically everything is comprised of chemicals to some degree. Not all people who eat organic think it's a magic pill for perfect health or have weird beliefs in everything holistic. I want to avoid hormones, dyes, and needless allergens. And I feel and function better eating Organic Foods. Unfortunately....there are some weirdos who think anything "natural" is good and anything "manufactured" is bad and make us all seem foolish. Organic foods ARE typically healthier overall than non-organic foods. That doesn't mean EVERY organic food is better or healthier. I don't see what the huge argument *against* organic eating could possibly be.
The issue is, it's not really true with a few rare exceptions. Some fruits have more phosphorous (which is good if you are in the rare minority that have that issues) and it would appear that chicken/pork have a higher omega 3 ratio. So if anything, I can see a benefit from sourcing those foods that are higher quality.
But you definitely seem to have your reasons to eat that way, which is good. It's the same reason I try to get higher quality meats.
When I say "healthier" I guess I'm operating under the assumption that most people don't find higher hormone content and antibiotics to be the healthier choice, when you can avoid/reduce them. Not so much the vitamins and minerals. I eat regular stuff, too. Because there are unfortunately many food items that are marketed as "free of ______" when their non-organic counterparts were already "free of ____" to begin with. Which makes people think Organic eating is all a big marketing scheme. It's definitely something that you have to research and be aware of in choosing which foods are "worth it" to buy organic and which really make no difference.2
This discussion has been closed.
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