Food as Medicine: The Answer to Mounting Health Crises
Our toxic diet is feeding diseases that can t be cured with drugs that never resolve the underlying problem
Dr. Robert Lustig, a pediatric endocrinologist and professor emeritus at the University of California–San Francisco, has written a number of excellent books about health. His latest, “Metabolical: The Lure and the Lies of Processed Food, Nutrition, and Modern Medicine,” goes deep into the details of how changes in our food supply have damaged our metabolic health.
The title of his book, “Metabolical,” is actually a portmanteau of the words “metabolic” and “diabolical,” which captures nicely the essence of his message.
Some interesting Canadian food news stories to get caught up on Posted March 14, 2021
In more recent years, mental health has been front of mind in the foodservice industry, but what about the agricultural sector?
With long hours under constant pressure–sometimes including financial and generational pressure–and the heavy workload, the reality is that a farmer s mental health takes the back seat. University of Guelph, along with the Ontario Veterinary College, are working on a program to improve the mental health of Ontario farmers.
With International Women s Day taking place earlier this week, the topic of equality in the restaurant industry is alive and well. It should come as no surprise that many local establishments and companies are run by women. However, being a women-led company as a primary reason why some are getting noticed rather than what they are offering is not enough.
Junk Food Companies Worsen COVID-19 Susceptibility
Sugar, salt, and fat make junk food delicious but undermine our immune systems
Underlying health conditions like obesity, heart disease, and diabetes have emerged as key factors in fatalities due to novel coronavirus, COVID-19. In one study, more than 99 percent of COVID-19 fatalities occurred among people who had underlying medical conditions.
Among the fatalities, 76.1 percent had high blood pressure, 35.5 percent had diabetes and 33 percent had heart disease. What’s more, another study revealed that among 18- to 49-year-olds hospitalized due to COVID-19, obesity was the most prevalent underlying condition, just ahead of hypertension. Chronic conditions like Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and obesity have a lot in common, including the fact that they’re often caused by poor diet.
Reformulation vs avoidance: Ultra-processed foods’ rapid Asian rise vilified, but total removal from food supply ‘unrealistic’ New research has criticised the rapid rise in ultra-processed food consumption in Asia over public health concerns, urging total avoidance of these foods, but others are urging further research into the area in the name of food security before such an extreme measure is taken.
Researchers at Deakin University conducted a comprehensive review on ultra-processed foods and beverages sales in 80 countries, finding that although sales of these foods are still highest in high-income countries, the rate of sales growth is highest in lower-middle income regions such as Asia.