As Americans we pride ourselves on being the best-fed nation on earth. But we are paying a high price for the privilege—in needless disease, disability, and premature death. What are we doing wrong?
Many of us are digging our own graves with fork and knife.
Americans are eating too much of nearly everything—too much sugar, too much fat, too much cholesterol, and too much salt. We eat too many calories, and we eat too often.
Such dietary abundance has helped lay the foundation for coronary artery disease, stroke, high blood pressure, arthritis, type 2 diabetes, obesity and several kinds of cancer. These diseases are responsible for three out of four deaths. And they relate to our lifestyle, especially to how we eat.
Disease from food? You must mean pesticides and preservatives!
Surprisingly, pesticides and preservatives are not the worst offenders. Here are some of the more serious culprits—the first four of the seven:
1. Sugar
The National Research Council reports that refined sugars and sweeteners account for up to 20 percent of many people's daily calories. Devoid of fiber and nutrients, refined sugars are empty, or naked, calories. But because of their caloric density they are well suited to promote obesity.
2. Refined Foods
People used to think refinement was good because it got rid of useless roughage. Now we're learning how necessary fiber is protecting us from certain cancers, stabilizing blood sugar, controlling weight, and preventing gastrointestinal problems such as gallstones, hemorrhoids, diverticulitis and constipation.
3. Salt
Most Westerners consume in excess of 10 grams (two teaspoons) of salt a day. This is 10 times more than is actually needed and contributes prominently to high blood pressure, heart failure and kidney disease.
4. Fat
Most people don't realize that they are consuming two to three times more fat, oil and grease than is optimal for good health. As a result, blood vessels plug up, impotence sets in and hearts and brains suffer. A high-fat diet also contributes to overweight, type 2 diabetes and certain adult cancers.
Learn more about the remaining 3 drivers of our modern disease epidemic in next week’s edition.