My Top Ten Truths About Nutrition

Just a few of the many not-so-well-known truths on this topic

This list was prepared in 2007 after five years of reading and studying hundreds of books and articles on nutrition. I like to call this my list of "common ground" truths about nutrition. While there is some disagreement on a few minor points, I have concluded after studying their work; that the following group of eight highly reputable professionals are in general agreement with my "Common Ground" truths:

1. T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D., Cornell Professor and author of The China Study

2. Caldwell Esselstyn, M.D., famed Cleveland Clinic Surgeon who reversed heart disease

3. John Robbins, Author of Diet for a New America and Healthy at 100

4. John McDougall, M.D., author of many fine books on Health & Nutrition

5. Joel Fuhrman, M.D, author of Eat to Live and other fine books on Health & Nutrition

6. Neal Barnard, M.D., President of Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine

7. Howard Lyman, author of Mad Cowboy and No More Bull

8. Dean Ornish, M.D., famed author noted for arresting & reversing heart disease

Here's My Top Ten

1. Rich Western Diet. The rich Western diet is primarily responsible for driving the out-of-control obesity and health care crisis that we are currently experiencing in the USA and in many of the other wealthier nations. The Standard American Diet (S.A.D.) is severely lacking in vital nutrients needed by the human body to promote vibrant health.

2. Chronic Disease. Rather than promoting health, the S.A.D. promotes most of the well-known chronic diseases (also known as diseases of affluence) including heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, stroke, and many cancers. Over 75% of the healthcare dollars in the USA are spent on the treatment of these chronic diseases, most of which are totally preventable, if not reversible, on an optimal diet.

3. Optimal Diet. An optimal diet for humans is one that delivers over 80% of its calories from whole, unrefined plant-based foods. The average American on the S.A.D. gets a paltry 7% of his/her calories from these nutritious foods…yet most Americans think that they are already eating a healthy diet.

4. Doctors and Dieticians. As unbelievable as it may seem, most medical doctors and registered dieticians do not practice nutritional excellence in their own lives and have not been trained to promote health among their patients. Your own doctor probably does not know what you need to do to be the healthiest that you can be.

5. Osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is not caused by an insufficient amount of calcium in the diet but rather by excessive animal protein which leaches calcium from our bones for digestive purposes and sends it out of the body with the urine.

6. Erectile Dysfunction. E.D., like atherosclerosis, is all about restricted blood flow...which results from too much animal protein, fat and cholesterol in our diets…all of which leads to a build up of plaque in our arteries.

7. What About Protein?. For the record, calorie for calorie, spinach contains more protein than sirloin steak. The optimal amount of animal protein in our diet is very close to zero percent of our calories. There are virtually no nutrients in animal-based foods that are not better provided by plants. Along with red meat; cheese, milk, fish, eggs, and turkey are all loaded with cholesterol and are to be minimized if not avoided completely.

8. Dietary Fiber. The "experts" typically recommend 25 grams of fiber per day; the average American is getting less than 15 grams. On the other hand, an optimal diet delivers between 70 and 100 grams per day; creating virtual magic in the way the body functions on a day-to-day basis. We're talking fiber from whole foods, not fiber from supplements or refined foods.

9. Kids Food. The only thing worse than the way we feed ourselves is the way we feed our children. The typical children's menu today features chicken nuggets, grilled cheese sandwich, hot dog, cheeseburger, french fries, and macaroni & cheese. These six items combined contain less than one gram of fiber and zero calories from whole, unrefined plant-based foods. Is there any wonder why childhood obesity is soaring and why Type 2 diabetes is now so prevalent among our children?

10. Vibrant Health Now. Consuming an optimal diet is not just about preventing chronic disease in the future and keeping you out of the nursing home; it is also about promoting vibrant health every day for the rest of your life. Symptoms of vibrant health include: effortless and permanent weight loss, more energy, better sleep, clear skin, better eyesight, sharper thinking, no constipation, less body odor, normal blood pressure, fewer/no prescription drugs, better sex life, fewer (if any) common colds...and hundreds more.

Books by the each of the eight professonals can found in the BOOKS section above.