Health: Fate or Free Will?

Do we really have control over our health? The question of whether or not the events of your life are based on fate or free will is age old. And this certainly relates to how and when we leave this Earth.  When working and talking with people about their health and diet, a common response ties into this notion of the pre-destiny of our lives and our ultimate fate.  This type of response comes from either a) the individual with an absolute faith in a higher being that dictates all or b) the individual who falls back on a) because it sounds nice (and/or he/she really doesn't know) and realistically doesn’t want to change their eating habits at that point in time.  Inherent in the work that I do, I do feel that our health is determined by the choices we make everyday and our environment, but whether or not these choices are shaped by our fate or actual free will is beyond me.   

We Are What Our Ancestors Ate: Part 2

SCIENCE GEEK ALERT:  As previously mentioned, I am alarming you before I get into the nitty gritty of nutrition!

Food can be considered an environmental factor to which our bodies adapt for optimal function.  In fact, the relatively new fields of nutrigenomics and epigenetics aim to explore how foods and the environment (respectively) influence genetic expression and what are known as genetic polymorphisms.  Genetic polymorphisms are differences in the genetic code among a given species giving rise to different characteristics.  In our case, examples include blood type and skin complexion caused by differences in melanin production.

We Are What Our Ancestors Ate: Part 1

This past weekend, I was in the midst of an adamant Paleo-enthusiast who had her 2-minute pitch down pact.  Not to discredit her enthusiasm or anything, but…..The personal trainer by day and sustainable agriculture advocate by night was following the “lifestyle” 80% of the time and 20% of the time downing pizza and burgers to get in her Western-diet fix. She certainly ran a good pitch by including arguments such as the importance of fruit and vegetables, the diminished ability to process the sugar (lactose) in milk in some adults, and the rising rates of gluten intolerances.  And because of these somewhat logical supporting explanations, this diet especially speaks to the hearts of nutrition purists seeking optimal health.  As with most fad diets however, this is one with many restrictions and is based on unsubstantiated evidence.  Although the diet may work for some, it assumes the premise that we are all alike, physiologically and biochemically.

My ‘Beef’ with Beef: Part 2

Adding fire to the flame, conventionally-reared cows are given antibiotics and synthetic hormones.  Cows are highly susceptible to disease and infection not only because they’re confined in feedlots (does this sound familiar; feedlots on a farm-cubicles in an office...), but also because they’re fed a diet for which they are ill-adapted.  Instead of fixing the root of the problem (profitability trumps all), antibiotics are used to combat these bovine diseases.  

My ‘Beef’ with Beef: Part 1

Up until now, I haven’t mentioned much about meat.  But, hear me out for my beef with beef.  As a pescatarian, I don’t eat beef (or poultry, other red meat, or other meat products), but surely loved a juicy Burger King whopper back in the day.  My personal lifestyle choice is in no way an affirmation of the way life should be lived, but for me, it’s the healthiest choice at the moment.  If I was in the position to afford grass-fed beef at $6.99/lb (my overwhelming student-loan debt is not as permitting for this kind of lifestyle), I would certainly eat beef in moderation.  But follow along for my story and my rationale...