For those of Suite 101's readers who are worried about what they eat, and are trying with limited success to keep their weight under control and exercise regularly, I have decided (with my tongue firmly in my cheek and a large pinch of salt available with which to temper this advice) to bring the following information to the attention of my readers.
Research Studies on Heart Disease
Many research studies have disclosed the following facts:
- Japanese in Japan eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
- Mexicans living in Mexico eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
- Chinese living in China drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
- Italians living in Italy drink a lot of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans..
- Germans living in Germany drink a lot of beer, eat plenty of sausages and fatty meats – and still suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
The conclusion if one were to meta-analyse all these studies is simply this: You can eat and drink what you like. It is living in America that causes you to suffer heart attacks!
One of my patients - who I shall call Tom for reasons of anonymity - recently consulted his health consultant (who happens to be, not a qualified health professional, but his neighbour "Harry" with whom he regularly has a drink in the pub) - and the conversation went something like this:
Advice About Preventing Heart Disease
Tom: You know, Harry, my doctor has told me that doing regular cardiovascular exercise can prevent heart disease. DO you think this is true?
Harry: Nonsense! Your heart is only good for so many beats before it packs up. So don't waste these valuable beats on exercise. Everything wears out eventually, so speeding up your heart will not make you live longer. It's like believing that you extend the life of your car by driving faster. If you want to live longer you should rest your heart - just take a nap more frequently.
Tom: Harry, my doctor says I should reduce my alcohol intake if I want to live longer. What do you think?
Harry: Rubbish! Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine. Beer and Whisky are made from grain. All these are vegetables - and have you not heard that a vegetarian diet is healthy?
Tom: My doctor also told me to cut out fried foods, because they can cause me to narrow my blood vessels and bring on a heart attack.
Harry: Your doctor does not know what he is talking about! Foods these days are fried in vegetable oil. If vegetables are good for you, how could getting more vegetables into you be bad for you? I think you should change your doctor!
Tom: I always wanted to ask my doctor this question, Harry - but I was afraid to ask him because of what he may say. Are chocolates bad for you?
Harry: Certainly not! Chocolates are made from cocoa beans - another vegetable. How can beans be bad for you?
Tom: I have heard that regular swimming is good for your health and will help you to get in shape.
Harry: Hah! If swimming is good for your shape, how can you explain the shape of the whale?
The motto of this story is - if you want advice that is compatible with your philosophy that Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body - but rather that one should look forward to death when it comes with a glass of lager in one hand and a handful of french fries or chocolates in the other, the body thoroughly used up and totally worn out - just ignore your doctor's advice and look for Tom's pal Harry.
You will likely find him - or someone like him who is ready and willing to give you free advice - in most pubs after a few drinks.
Information About Health on the Internet
Credible sites for health information on the web:
- Medline Plus (maintained by US National institutes of health and national library of medicine)- FREE
- Australian Government health information: provides links to recommended sites - FREE
- Best Health from the British Medical Journal (BMJ) Group -REQUIRES SUBSCRIPTION
Sanjiva Wijesinha - Dr. Sanjiva Wijesinha, Associate Professor at Monash University medical school, writes on health, travel and medical topics.
