Choices

 Eating for Health was found in the March 4, 2019 edition of Time. This article focused on the use of certain foods as medicine and its impact on longevity.  With type II diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and even cancer, foods can assist with the treatment. For example, certain fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can reduce blood pressure and inhibit growth of plaques and arteries; blueberries contain antioxidants that fight cancer, interrupt tumors and has the ability to grow new blood vessels; broccoli is loaded with glucosinolates, which can slow breast cancer; beans are a good source of protein, fiber and vitamins that can help build muscle, and can lower cholesterol and diminish the risk of cancer.

Even though it  is more difficult to study the treatment  effects of food compared to  drugs, a number  of hospitals, clinics, doctors, and other enlightened figures concluded that health is affected by sleep, exercise and eating behavior. Unfortunately, because of the influence of emotions, when it comes to eating, it’s easier for many to take a pill rather than confronting their irrational eating behavior. We know the Mediterranean diet, which is high in good fats like olive oil, omega-3, nuts, fruits and vegetables, has the best reputation for health outcomes when studying centenarians. If interested in using food and nutrients as medicine, consult a functional medicine doctor. My functional medicine Dr. was originally trained as a neurologist. She’s also an avid bike rider.

The second article and related, “The Rise of Healthier Proteins”, was found in the January 28, 2019 edition of Time. This article focused on reducing red meat consumption with its high amounts of saturated fats and its GM O processed forms. It stated that the protein found in plants was healthier as result of its fiber, healthy fats and micronutrients. Statistically, global greenhouse gas emissions would drop by 25% if everyone gave up beef.

Ideas for good protein can be found by purchasing, grown in a lab, cultured meat. In fact, you can currently buy vegan eggs. Buying spirulina [blue-green algae] in powder form can be used in smoothies. Food-grade high-protein insects like crickets and grasshoppers are available as flour. Beans is another good source of protein, along with soy based tofu and pea protein. Don’t forget nuts for protein, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals. These items can replace protein found in red meat.

The third article “Want to Prevent Deadly Diseases? Eat fiber, “published in the February 18, 2019 edition of Time suggested that individuals substantially lowered the risk of heart disease, stroke, type II diabetes and colon cancer from 15 to 30% because of fiber. Notice, that these four diseases had little to do with the gut. The researchers stated that the strongest reductions in disease risk were among people who ate 25 g to 29 g each day in fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Benefits for eating fiber rich foods included the following: 1. Takes longer to chew, which may lower the risk of obesity. 2 Nurtures beneficial bacteria in the gut reducing risk of colon cancer.3. Helps slow the absorption of sugar found in the foods which means a person sugar levels won’t spike as quickly. Some high-fiber foods to consider include beans, legumes, raspberries, pears, apples, artichokes, green peas, and broccoli. Other health benefits from eating fiber include the nutrients, cancer fighting antioxidants, inflammation- taming compounds and vitamins which can improve the immune system as well as building healthy cells and tissues.

It should be clear by now that the food, pharmaceutical and healthcare complex caters primarily to its stockholders. They come first every time. With their lobbyists, they write the laws and its so-called regulations. They realized that eating behavior is potentially conflictual and emotionally driven. If one can become more emotionally smart and less irrational, which is extremely difficult to accomplish especially regarding a conflictual eating situation, one can potentially have an opportunity to implement more positive food choices {food as medicine,   healthy protein and fiber} can perhaps  increase healthy longevity. If possible, understanding how emotions, anxiety and hostility interfere, might assist in reducing irrationality and self-defeating compulsive behaviors regarding implementing food choices thereby by not harming oneself. It’s all about reducing anxiety, compulsivity, and hostility with appropriate decision-making, each time, every time and all the time. Moreover, don’t forget to keep moving, as that’s an important part of any health program.