Healthy Past, Healthy Future
July 1, 2010 Written by JP [Font too small?]Virtually all of the sciences strive to help mankind progress. What’s more, the desire to learn new things and build upon the past is a deeply ingrained characteristic of being human. On the other hand, so is forgetting the past. A case in point is the way modern science views nutrition. Surely there must be a better way of eating than the example set by generations far removed from ours. We’re smarter these days! It’s like comparing one of the first automobiles to the all-terrain, automatic, computer assisted, hybrid vehicles of the present. Right? Not if you ask some truly progressive physicians such Dr. Richard Feinman and Dr. Mehmet Oz.
Dr. Oz is probably best known for his frequent appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show. But he also maintains a robust presence on Twitter. Recently he tweeted about a study that revealed that the use of Botox to treat facial wrinkling could “freeze your emotions”. In essence, some Botox users don’t register emotional reactions physically even though they experience them mentally. It appears that this injectable drug can profoundly influence emotional expressivity. That’s why Dr. Oz urges his followers to “Try anti-aging foods like blueberries or dark chocolate instead”. What I like best about his suggestion is that it’s rooted in real science. Using blueberry extracts topically and eating flavanol-rich dark chocolate has been scientifically shown to reduce fine line wrinkles and sun damage and improve circulation to the skin surface, firmness, oxygen saturation, radiance, skin smoothness and skin tone. All that and you can still laugh, smile and express sadness like everyone else … who’s not using Botox. (1,2,3,4,5)
This past week I stumbled upon a superb video by Dr. Richard Feinman of the Nutrition and Metabolism Society. I thought so much of the video presentation that I wanted to share it with you today. The topic is the role that a “hunter-gatherer” style diet would likely have if applied in the 21st century. The conclusion that Dr. Feinman comes to is supported by a recent trial that examined the effects of a paleolithic type diet in 9 non-obese but sedentary men and women. After just 10 days on this antiquated diet, significant reductions in blood pressure, insulin, LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglycerides were registered. In addition, the results were remarkably consistent among the diverse test subjects. I urge you all to click “play” on the video below and take an informative trip back to a time when processed foods and refined carbohydrates simply did not exist. (6,7)
The societal shift from being active to sedentary is as great a change as what’s happened to dietary habits. One of my favorite health reporters on Twitter, Rick McGuire, offers one important reason why we should all strive to get moving: it can improve mental health. This is evidenced by a study published in the June 2010 issue of the journal Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research. In it, scientists tested the effects of exercise in an animal model of alcohol addiction. Their determination was that the animals that exercised the most (using a running wheel) consumed less alcohol and experienced fewer cravings for alcohol. This is apparently due to a regulatory effect on circadian rhythms which influence food and sleep cycles. In addition, regular exercise is known to increase dopamine levels which are also enhanced by the use of alcohol and illicit drugs. The authors of the study concluded that “exercise may offer an efficacious clinical approach to reducing EtOH (alcohol) intake”. These current findings are supported by a preliminary human trial that was published in the February 2009 edition of the journal Behavior Modification. (8,9,10)
It’s obvious that eating antioxidant rich foods including blueberries and cocoa is a more natural approach to promoting skin health than having a dermatologist inject your face with botulinum toxin. A diet consisting of foods that have been eaten since the beginning of time is likely to be more compatible to the human body than the prepackaged, fortified foods given to our children at school and sold to us by various celebrities and doctors. And while we’re on the subject of food, how different would society be if we still had to gather and hunt in order to sustain life? It only makes sense that we’d be fitter and healthier for it. But when a time has passed, it’s gone forever. Still, that doesn’t mean that we have to abandon some of the more applicable lessons that history has to offer. Eating more traditional foods and abandoning a sedentary lifestyle would do this modern world a world of good.
Be well!
JP
Posted in Nutrition, Women's Health
July 1st, 2010 at 9:18 pm
Another great post, JP!
Well written and thought provoking – thanks!
July 1st, 2010 at 9:20 pm
Thanks, Anne! Mission accomplished! 🙂
Be well!
JP
July 2nd, 2010 at 2:34 am
Good Morning, JP ☼☼☼
*ot: its soooo hot here, the morning begins with 25°C and it will go up to 37°C, time for coconut water ;-)*
My skin (have to say that i never had serious problems, only little to dry in winter) looks best with low carb and very best if i eat only self made things at home. If i eat to much fat my skin becomes a little bit oily and not wrinkled but i look more dull. My faves are lot of fish, veggis, salads and fresh or frozen berries and nuts (in moderation). Fluid intake is important too.
Is Dr. Oz really an expert, and when yes for what? 😉
I wish you and yours a wonderull weekend! ☻
We are *catched* by the World Cup this weekend ☺☺☺
Stay healthy and happy!
Nina K.
July 3rd, 2010 at 1:26 am
Good day, Nina!
Sorry to hear about your uncomfortable weather. It’s Summer here but has yet to get terribly hot. Hopefully it’ll be a mild season.
Your diet sounds ideal. It’s great that you observe the effects of food on your skin. The body does indeed speak to us. However some people are more perceptive and some bodies speak louder than others. 😉
Dr. Oz is an accomplished cardiothoracic surgeon. Here’s some of the info. I copied-and-pasted from his CV.
2001-present Professor of Surgery Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY
2001-present Medical Director, Integrative Medicine Program NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY
1993-present Attending Surgeon NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY
http://asp.cumc.columbia.edu/facdb/profile_list.asp?uni=mco2&DepAffil=Surgery
I don’t agree with all of his positions. But I think he contributes a fair amount of solid information. I wouldn’t mind having him as part of my health care team. 🙂
Be well and stay cool!
JP
July 4th, 2010 at 6:42 am
My problem has been getting an aerobic workout in Florida where the terrain is flat. Previously when I try to run on flat land I hurt my knees. Recently I tried running barefoot and that seems to help, so long as I run slowly and on the balls of my feet, allowing my ankle flexion to cushion the impact. In Arkansas I run uphill only, but can’t run barefoot there because of the gravel topped paving.
July 4th, 2010 at 1:35 pm
Iggy,
A few things come to mind: 1) Do you have access to a treadmill? That would address the incline issue. 2) They sell running/walking shoes that utilize a “barefoot technology”. They provide only a minimal amount of padding and allow your feet to function as if they were barefoot or close to it.
I hope you and your mom have a great Independence day!
Be well!
JP
July 7th, 2010 at 7:04 am
I think the pendulum swinging back a gain is a huge noteworthy point. Unfortunately we are a nation of convenience and it is killing us. Bigger, better all the time needs to revert back to simple, challenging and rewarding. Great article!
July 7th, 2010 at 12:16 pm
Thank you, Alicia. 🙂
I think that convenience is a major factor. And I don’t foresee that trend changing any time soon. That’s why I believe it’s important to find creative ways to practically incorporate healthier (traditional) habits into the typical/hectic 21st lifestyle. It’s a challenge but it’s not impossible.
One example is finding quiet time or time to meditate. It requires a certain investment of time but the rewards are worth it – people often find they’re more energetic, less stressed and more productive. In short, it’s a good investment. A similar cost-benefit analysis can be used when looking at other issues such as dietary changes and physical activity, IMO.
Be well!
JP
July 12th, 2010 at 1:49 pm
Great article! Reminds me of The Zone written in 1995 by Dr. Barry Sears, who by the way just came out w/ convenient Zone balanced foods/2 week diet plan. They have bagels, pizza crust, flat bread, cookies and more.
July 12th, 2010 at 2:05 pm
Thanks, KC!
I think Dr. Sears has a lot of valuable information to share. He’s a major asset to the integrative medical community, IMO.
Be well!
JP
August 1st, 2010 at 9:47 pm
It should be mentioned that aside from “emotion freezing” botox is a neurotoxin.
JP, do you feel that Dr. Mehmet Oz is a credible expert when it comes to health and nutrition? It does seem like Dr. Oz advocates a great variety of alternative medicine treatments, some of which seem far removed from evidence-based (for example, Reiki – http://bit.ly/7cv7Jc). Recently, he seems to be adopting more alt-med treatments into his practice, which are controversial at best, and flat-out woo at worst, for example, Acai & anti-aging treatments – http://bit.ly/aegCeG).
August 1st, 2010 at 10:30 pm
CW,
I feel like Dr. Oz brings something of value to the table. I don’t always agree with him. But it’s impossible to deny his ability to reach millions of people who might otherwise be unaware of the value of alternative and complementary approaches.
An example of how I differ from Dr. Oz can be found in my recent column about Acai.
https://www.healthyfellow.com/585/acai-controversy/
Be well!
JP
June 8th, 2015 at 5:42 pm
Update 06/08/15:
http://www.drugandalcoholdependence.com/article/S0376-8716%2815%2900261-6/abstract
Drug Alcohol Depend. 2015 May 27.
A single dose of kudzu extract reduces alcohol consumption in a binge drinking paradigm.
BACKGROUND: Overconsumption of alcohol has significant negative effects on an individual’s health and contributes to an enormous economic impact on society as a whole. Pharmacotherapies to curb excessive drinking are important for treating alcohol use disorders.
METHODS: Twenty (20) men participated in a placebo-controlled, double-blind, between subjects design experiment (n=10/group) that tested the effects of kudzu extract (Alkontrol-Herbalâ„¢) for its ability to alter alcohol consumption in a natural settings laboratory. A single dose of kudzu extract (2g total with an active isoflavone content of 520mg) or placebo was administered 2.5h before the onset of a 90min afternoon drinking session during which participants had the opportunity to drink up to 6 beers ad libitum; water and juice were always available as alternative beverages.
RESULTS: During the baseline session, the placebo-randomized group consumed 2.7±0.78 beers before treatment and increased consumption to 3.4±1.1 beers after treatment. The kudzu group significantly reduced consumption from 3.0±1.7 at baseline to 1.9±1.3 beers after treatment. The placebo-treated group opened 33 beers during baseline conditions and 38 following treatment whereas the kudzu-treated group opened 32 beers during baseline conditions and only 21 following treatment. Additionally, kudzu-treated participants drank slower.
CONCLUSION: This is the first demonstration that a single dose of kudzu extract quickly reduces alcohol consumption in a binge drinking paradigm. These data add to the mounting clinical evidence that kudzu extract may be a safe and effective adjunctive pharmacotherapy for alcohol abuse and dependence.
Be well!
JP