Species-appropriate food choices

 

Did you know certain elephants require red meat? Or that some lions need fruits to survive?

Of course you didn’t – because they DON’T. 

Beyond just observing their habits, how do I know this? 

Based on the anatomy and physiology of their body.

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“The study of comparative anatomy is part of biology.  It is founded upon the principle that the diet of any animal, in its natural state, is always found to agree both with its anatomical structure and with its digestive processes and general bodily functions…In order to classify an animal and place it into its proper division, biologists make a careful examination of the physical structure of the animal, examining the organs and anatomy - teeth, extremities (hands, hoofs, claws), the alimentary canal, the stomach, the liver, the placenta, etc.

Often going hand in hand with comparative anatomy is the scientific body of knowledge called physiology - while anatomy deals with the structure, physiology deals with function. The functions of the various organs of the body - the chemical composition of the organic tissues, secretions, etc. 

We can then continue to confirm these findings through chemistry - the nutrient value of foods and their effects, hygiene, and then through lived experience.

Through rigorous observation in multiple disciplines of science the natural dietetic character of man has been confirmed.”

- Lauren Whiteman

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Granted, with some circumstantial changes such as dislocation or extremes of weather, some species will temporarily change their diets or make food selections they might not normally make. In most circumstances, if these species tried to survive long-term on species-inappropriate selections, they would likely become unhealthy, unbalanced animals fraught with many ‘diseases’. 

So why would we think humans are any different? 

They are not. 

One needs only look at the anatomy and physiology of the human body to discern the most favorable human-appropriate diet for optimal health promotion. And we could safely assume that when not following a species-appropriate diet, one could leave themselves open to becoming ‘diseased’ and suffering from poor health and/or poor quality of life.

People who argue that “not everyone can follow a plant-based diet” or that they “tried” but their bodies “can’t live plant-based” or reference some utterly ridiculous blather about blood type, astrology, or reading tea leaves (!!!)…tell them you cannot change your anatomy. We are all born with the exact same anatomy therefore we all fall under the same species-specific guidelines for optimal intake and therefore optimal health. 

As said above – when a species attempts to survive long-term on a diet that does not reflect the needs of their species, they generally waste away. Can humans SURVIVE eating animal proteins? In most circumstances, yes they can. But they will very likely suffer from heart disease, cancer, diabetes, blood disorders, GI disorders, early death, etc.

You cannot change your anatomy and physiology. 

If you are reading this your species-appropriate diet is plant-based and more closely resembles a frugivore than any other classification. The evidence of this is overwhelming. We have been widely indoctrinated to consume things that are not within the ideal of maintaining a homeostatic functioning system – another way Big Pharma has devised to keep people sick and manipulated them into believing lies so deeply that they will now fight bitterly to defend what are clearly shown to be blatant falsehoods when looking at the most basic of principles.

Related articles:
Overwhelming evidence
Dairy. What you need to know.

Gabapentin

Many years ago now, I was called in on a case of a 90+ year old woman who was about to be kicked out of her assisted-living apartment as she was exceeding the level of care they would/could provide. She had been having falls and had sustained multiple injuries – from bruises and skin tears to a few injuries that were more serious, including a broken pelvis. 

The primary care doctor believed she was having issues with postural blood pressure changes causing dizziness and loss of balance. A physical therapist and I evaluated her. Upon eval, she displayed movements similar to what many medical people would call Tardive Dyskinesia. 

Considering the overwhelming lists of medications these elderly people are often on, she was taking only about 5, one of which was what is considered a ‘low’ dose of gabapentin – 100mg twice daily - which her previous MD had started months prior for some mild postherpetic neuralgia. Knowing there was likely a root cause to the falls, we sought to take her off any meds that might not be deemed critically necessary. So it was decided we would wean her off the gabapentin. 

And when we did? She stopped falling. Like…STOPPED. Immediately. She lived there several more years and though she physically weakened as she advanced in age, she never again had the chronic falls that initially brought us in to see her. 

It goes to demonstrate that often these dangerous medications can set something else off in your body. And too often the connection is not made and more meds are often added in a weak attempt to control the symptoms. 

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“It's the ‘let's just throw something at the wall and hope that it magically sticks’ drug," said Jordan Covvey, an assistant professor of pharmacy administration at Duquesne University School of Pharmacy. "There’s a lot of damage that could be happening with that sort of strategy."

https://www.vice.com/en/article/j5y4py/millions-use-gabapentin-for-anxiety-and-pain-but-little-evidence-it-works

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https://www.tiktok.com/@drmichaelljohnson1/video/7178581860530818347

Fish is NOT a health food!

In 2012, researchers published an analysis of the diets of kids aged two to seven… Chemicals and heavy metals in kids’ bodies from the foods they ate were indeed found to exceed safety levels by a larger margin than in adults. Cancer risk ratios, for instance, were exceeded by a factor of up to 100 or more. For every child studied, benchmark levels were surpassed…

Where in the food supply are these pollutants found? Today, most DDT comes from meat, particularly fish. The oceans seem to have become, essentially, humanity’s sewer: Everything eventually flows into the sea. The same is true when it comes to dietary exposure to PCBs—another set of banned chemicals. A study of more than 12,000 food and feed samples across 18 countries found that the highest PCB contamination was found in fish and fish oil… The lowest contamination was found at the bottom of the food chain, in plants.

Hexachlorobenzene, another pesticide banned nearly a half century ago, today may be found mainly in dairy and meat, including fish. Perfluorochemicals, or PFCs? Overwhelmingly found in fish and other meats. The contaminants in fish may help explain studies showing an association between fish consumption and diabetes. 

A single serving of fish each week during pregnancy, for example, can lead to more mercury in their infant’s body than injecting them directly with about a dozen mercury-containing vaccines.

https://nutritionfacts.org/topics/fish
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Are omega-3s found in plant foods?
Omega-3 fatty acids are readily available in a wide variety of plant foods. Sources include walnuts, flaxseeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, edamame, seaweed, and algae. Other green leafy vegetables and beans also contain small amounts. 

Are plant-based omega-3 sources different from fish-based sources?
Plant-derived omega-3s come in the form of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) - which is the only essential omega-3 fatty acid. Our bodies cannot synthesize it, so we must consume ALA through our diets. The body naturally converts ALA into longer chain omega-3 fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)—which is important for brain health—and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). 

…according to findings from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) Study, women following plant-based diets actually had significantly more long-chain omega-3 fats in their blood, compared with fish-eaters, meat-eaters, and ovo-lacto vegetarians…plant-based participants converted robust amounts of shorter-chain fatty acids into these long-chain fatty acids, compared to fish eaters.

Do people eating plant-based diets have adequate omega-3 levels?
Most people following plant-based diets have no problem getting enough omega-3s in their diets. One study found that people who follow plant-based diets, on average, have intakes above the recommended amounts for omega-3 fats.

Is a plant-based diet healthy for the brain?
Plant-based foods are beneficial to the brain and may help prevent Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Research shows that saturated and trans fats—found in animal products, pastries, and fried foods—can increase the risk for cognitive decline. Additionally, researchers note the advantage of a plant-based diet for heart health compared with nonvegans.

Is fish consumption heart-healthy?
Although some of the fat found in fish comes in the healthy omega-3 form, much of the remaining fat is unhealthful saturated fat… Diets high in saturated fat and cholesterol can increase the risk for heart disease. On the other hand, a plant-based diet has been proven to prevent, and even reverse, heart disease. A recent study found that while replacing red meat with plant-based protein lowers the risk for heart disease, replacing red meat with fish did not reduce the risk.

What about fish oil supplements?
Although fish oil supplements have been touted as a cure for everything from heart problems to arthritis, current research shows that there may not be any benefits to taking the supplement. According to a review that combined data from 20 studies, the use of omega-3 supplements over a two-year period had no effect on heart-related death, heart attack, or stroke. Another study found no link between fish oil supplements and the prevention or improvement of dementia.

By focusing on plant foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes, you’ll get the full range of essential nutrients without the toxins and other health risks associated with fish consumption!

https://www.pcrm.org/good-nutrition/nutrition-information/omega-3
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“The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish was found to increase IQ scores up to 10 points when mothers consume these during pregnancy. But even better is to consume plant-based omega-3 fatty acids as ALL fish are contaminated with heavy metal toxins such as mercury, dioxin, and PCBs. Only 4g per day provides all of the benefits of eating fish without the toxicity.”
Dean Ornish, MD

Related articles:

Overwhelming evidence

Species-appropriate food choices

Dairy. What you need to know.

Stop giving our kids chemicals. Demand better.

"The OEHHA findings reveal that consumption of synthetic food dyes can result in hyperactivity and other neurobehavioral problems in some children, and that children vary in their sensitivity to synthetic food dyes.

According to the OEHHA, approved levels of synthetic food dyes were established by the Food and Drug Administration decades ago and do not reflect newer research...Comparisons with newer studies indicate that the current ADIs may not adequately protect children from behavioral effects.

The study is a result of OEHHA’s collaboration with Bradman and scientists at UC Berkeley and UC Davis."

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Dyes, synthetic flavors, chemicals - potentially deadly additives that most people feed to their children multiple times per day in their food, snacks, drinks, etc.

I wasn't exaggerating one bit...

 In case anyone thinks my previous writing "Medicate to Death" was not a true story...it's a story I witness almost every single day...

These are randomly selected, with no identifying data attached, but I assure you they are very real medication schedules (randomly selected from this year) and reflect what is the 'norm', not the exception (and are not specific to other treatments they may be undergoing at the time, such as radiation, chemo, or other hospital/clinic/MD office modalities).

Medicate to death

Medicate to Death

“I am sorry to tell you, you have a disease.

We will put you on treatment, with no guarantees.”

“Radiation initially, we will do every day,

and then possibly chemo, if things go our way.”

The first few not so bad – “You are doing great!”

But skin burning a bit, area starting to ache.

“Go buy this lotion, and to help ease your pain,

we will give you some Oxy – we must be humane!”

Week number three – “You are feeling a mess?”

"Managing this? Yes, I’m under some stress.”

“Here’s a prescription for Ativan to help calm your mind,

and you should take these laxatives to ease your behind.”

“We need more blood work, we need a PET scan -

we must start chemo as soon as we possibly can.”

The Port is inserted and the cycles begun

Your body toxic from this *medication*

“Now your stomach upset and you are feeling depressed?

Prilosec you must take to assist you digest.”

“This prescription for Celexa will ease your depression,

and some as needed Zofran to use at your discretion.”

More time passes, not feeling much better...

But following instructions, right down to the letter.

“Pervasive malaise, losing weight and dry heaves?

We can put you on steroids to ease the disease.”

“The assistant reported your BP was high,

we will give you lisinopril or else you may die.”

“The lab has determined your cholesterol is elevated,

you will also take Lipitor to help keep it abated.”

Hair falling out and often feeling quit ill...

Try to cope daily, can’t pay the bills

“But you are alive - isn’t that all that matters?”

But such a life of poor quality - all that’s loved is in tatters?!?!?

“We have more medications to quell the effects,

symptom control is really all to expect.”

“I am concerned for your low Vitamin D,

you must take every day - get at pharmacy!”

“Also buy calcium to prevent bones too thin,

and just for good measure grab a multivitamin.”

“Such a good job doing all as advised!”

But inevitably, more problems arise

A fall, an infection, shortness of breath, or a cold

A slow downward path as disease keeps its hold

“What did you expect as your condition advanced?

Quality and comfort? There’s a very slim chance.”

“Prolonging your life is the best we can do...

So here is your flu shot – you don’t want the flu!”

Dizzy and tired, more infections, still depressed?

“We will write more prescriptions and get this addressed.”

“This med is called Meclizine, dizziness what it is for,

and we’ll increase your Celexa just a little bit more.”

“The infection you have Macrobid will correct,

and buy some B vitamins to pep up your step.”

“We’ll give you something for your shortness of breath,

Lasix every day may help prevent death.”

“Now feeling forgetful - a little confused?

We’ll get you on Aricept, we’ve got nothing to lose.”

Life centered on doctors, disease, medications to measure

Gone are the days when life was a pleasure

And slowly it goes, onward to death’s door

A life that was taken a VERY long time before

And then at the funeral – “Such a wonderful soul.”

“The disease too aggressive, we just could not control.”

Fecal Soup...Mmmmmmm Yum

The Physicians Committee sued the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2019 for ignoring concerns over widespread fecal contamination of chicken products. The lawsuit followed USDA unresponsiveness to a Physicians Committee petition that included results from tests conducted on 120 chicken products sold by 15 grocery store chains in 10 U.S. cities. Evidence of fecal contamination was found in 48% of samples.

Although USDA implements a “zero tolerance” policy for fecal contamination, this policy only applies to visible fecal contamination. Chicken products pass inspection as long as feces are not visible to the naked eye.

The lawsuit and petition quote a federal inspector who said, “We often see birds going down the line with intestines still attached, which are full of fecal contamination. If there is no fecal contamination on the bird’s skin, however, we can do nothing to stop that bird from going down that line. It is more than reasonable to assume that once the bird gets into the chill tank (a large vat of cold water), that contamination will enter the water and contaminate all of the other carcasses in the chiller. That’s why it is sometimes called ‘fecal soup.’” 

Video obtained by the Physicians Committee through a Freedom of Information Act request made in 2013, revealed that the chicken slaughtering process ends with carcasses soaking in cold water—“fecal soup”—for up to one hour before being packaged for consumers.

 

Not Food - It's Poison!

What many believe to be ‘healthy eating’ is actually a form of poison – toxic to our body.

EGGS

About 60% of the calories in eggs are from fat - much of which is saturated fat. Eggs are also loaded with cholesterol - about 200 milligrams for an average-sized egg. That’s more than double the amount in a Big Mac. Fat and cholesterol contribute to heart disease.

Eating eggs increases the risk of dying from heart disease. Researchers compared egg and cholesterol consumption and blood cholesterol levels with death from cardiovascular disease in over 27,000 participants and conducted a systematic review of existing research. Eating one egg per day significantly increased the risk of dying from heart disease. Higher blood cholesterol levels and higher intakes of dietary cholesterol were also associated with an elevated risk of death from heart disease. These findings support limiting dietary cholesterol intake for improved heart health. 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35360933/

A 2021 study found that the addition of half an egg per day was associated with more deaths from heart disease, cancer, and all causes. For every 300 milligrams of dietary cholesterol consumed per day, mortality risk increased by up to 24%. 
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33561122/

A study published in JAMA found that that each 300 milligram dose of dietary cholesterol was associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease and mortality by 17% and 18%, respectively. When it came to eggs, each half egg caused a 6% and 8% increased risk, respectively. 
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2728487

A study in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology found that those who eat the most eggs have a 19% higher risk for cardiovascular problems.

Diabetes and egg consumption

Consuming one or more eggs per day may increase the risk of diabetes by 60%, according to a study published in the British Journal of Nutrition. Researchers compared egg consumption with blood glucose levels in more than 8,000 participants from the China Health and Nutrition Survey. Those who habitually consumed the most eggs increased their risk for diabetes when compared to those who ate the fewest eggs.

These results support similar findings. A review of 14 studies published in the journal Atherosclerosis showed that those who consume the most eggs increase their risk for diabetes by 68%. Another review found similar results: a 39% higher risk of diabetes in people who eat three or more eggs per week.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26739035/

Egg consumption also increases the risk of gestational diabetes, according to two studies in the American Journal of Epidemiology.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21324948/

Cancer and egg consumption

Eating eggs has also been connected to developing certain types of cancer such as colon, rectal, and prostate.

PROCESSED MEAT

Processed meat—from hot dogs to bacon—increases the risk of colorectal cancer, cardiovascular disease, and even early death.

It has been determined that processed meat is a major contributor to colorectal cancer, classifying it as “carcinogenic to humans.” Just one hot dog or a few strips of bacon consumed daily increases cancer risk by 18%. The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) and the American Institute for Cancer Research (AIRC) have also found that “the evidence on processed meat and cancer is clear-cut.”

Colorectal cancer isn’t the only cancer risk that comes from consuming processed meat. Eating 50 grams of processed meat daily also increases the risk of prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, and overall cancer mortality. And a study of more than 200,000 women found that eating about 20 grams of processed meat each day—less than half the size of a regular hot dog—increased breast cancer risk by 21%.

Processed meat is also linked to cardiovascular disease and death, according to a study that found people eating more than 150 grams of processed meat per week increased their risk of heart disease and death by 46% and 51%, respectively, when compared to those who did not eat processed meat. A National Institutes of Health study of more than half a million people also found that those who consume the most processed meat have an increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease. A study published in JAMA found that processed meat consumption was tied to 57,766 deaths from cardiometabolic diseases in 2012.

Eating a hot dog takes away 36 minutes of healthy life (good-quality and disease-free life) according to a study that evaluated more than 5,800 foods and ranked them by their nutritional disease burden.

MILK AND DAIRY

Milk and other dairy products are the top source of saturated fat in the American diet, contributing to heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease. Studies have also linked dairy to an increased risk of breast, ovarian, and prostate cancers.

Saturated Fat and Heart Disease

Milk and other dairy products are the top sources of artery-clogging saturated fat in the American diet. Milk products also contain cholesterol. Diets high in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol increase the risk of heart disease, which remains America’s top killer. Cheese is especially dangerous. Typical cheeses are 70 percent fat.

Lactose Intolerance

Infants and children produce enzymes that break down lactose, the sugar found in breast milk and cow’s milk, but as we grow up, many of us lose this capacity. Lactose intolerance is common, affecting about 95 percent of Asian Americans, 74 percent of Native Americans, 70 percent of African Americans, 53 percent of Mexican Americans, and 15 percent of Caucasians. Symptoms include upset stomach, diarrhea, and gas.

Bone Health

Research shows that dairy products have little or no benefit for bone health. According to an analysis published in the British Medical Journal, most studies fail to show any link between dairy intake and broken bones, or fractures. In one study, researchers tracked the diets, exercise, and stress fracture rates of adolescent girls and concluded that dairy products and calcium DO NOT prevent stress fractures. Another study of more than 96,000 people found that the more milk men consumed as teenagers, the MORE bone fractures they experienced as adults.

Cancer

Research has linked the high fat content and hormones in milk, cheese, and other dairy products to breast cancer.

One study of nearly 10,000 women found that those who consume low-fat diets have a 23% lower risk for breast cancer recurrence. They also have a 17% lower risk of dying from the disease.

A 2017 study funded by the National Cancer Institute that compared the diets of women diagnosed with breast cancer to those without breast cancer found that those who consumed the most American, cheddar, and cream cheeses had a 53% higher risk for breast cancer.

The Life After Cancer Epidemiology study found that, among women previously diagnosed with breast cancer, those consuming one or more servings of high-fat dairy products (e.g., cheese, ice cream, whole milk) daily had a 49% higher breast cancer mortality, compared with those consuming less than one-half serving daily.

Research funded by the National Cancer Institute, the National Institutes of Health, and the World Cancer Research Fund, found that women who consumed 1/4 to 1/3 cup of cow’s milk per day had a 30% increased chance for breast cancer. One cup per day increased the risk by 50%, and 2-3 cups were associated with an 80% increased chance of breast cancer.

Regular consumption of dairy products has also been linked to prostate cancer. 
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23256145/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25527754/

High intakes of dairy products including whole and low-fat milk increase the risk for prostate cancer, according to a meta-analysis that looked at 32 studies. In another study, men who consumed three or more servings of dairy products a day had a 141% higher risk for death due to prostate cancer compared to those who consumed less than one serving.

But avoiding dairy products and eating a more plant-based diet may help protect the prostate. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that men who followed a vegan diet had a 35% lower prostate cancer risk than those following a nonvegetarian, lacto-ovo-vegetarian, pesco-vegetarian, or semi-vegetarian diet.

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Related articles
Overwhelming evidence
Species-appropriate food choices
Dairy: what you need to know

"Doctors should be criticized and penalized for using drugs and surgery when a change in diet and lifestyle would achieve similar or even better medical outcomes. When you fail to inform someone about the importance of lifestyle medicine, then you steal that person’s right to live free from sickness and medication.” 

~ John McDougall, MD

If we desire to be healthy we MUST stop poisoning ourselves!!!