The number 1 disease prevention strategy

[Villages PL]

Whether it's cancer, heart disease, diabetes or a host of other degenerative diseases, no intervention works better than cutting back on calories. That's why, for example, Okinawans have only 6 breast cancer deaths per one hundred thousand people while Americans have 33. Prostate, 4 deaths vs. 28

This means eliminating high calorie processed foods. These are the foods that cause disease and eventually kill people.

This has been well documented with numerous studies that began in the 1930s.

Medical doctors won't cure you by prescribing drugs to cover up symptoms. It's all up to you and what foods you put in your mouth. Therefore, the best health care system in the world can't magically bestow good health upon their patients. You have to work for good health. You have to earn it. That's why I have always said that, when it comes to degenerative diseases, people usually get the health they are qualified for.

Do you know of any health strategy that's better than the one I outlined above?

[gomoho]

I'm glad you said "usually" 'cause sometimes you just draw a bad hand and have to do the best you can with what you've got.

[KeepingItReal]

Not worth posting, .....no medical experience or training ....just irritating...

[Applepie]

You know VP sometimes your comments really amaze me. My granddaughter developed a very aggressive and deadly form of bone cancer at the age of 13 months. Tell me did she deserve it! It must have been from all that mother's milk she drank.

[graciegirl]

Our daughter who weighed 115 pounds and ate very healthily and exercised...developed a very aggressive breast cancer at the age of 29.

I know VP's oft stated theory about genetics and what switches it on, but it doesn't line up with the information that I have read.

Yes it does help to keep your weight down, particularly in trying to prevent breast cancer because all tissue produces estrogen, it also is wise to avoid soy products because they mimic estrogen, not take birth control pills and Hormone Replacement Therapy. She took none of these.

I feel in my heart, due to what I have read with my eyes and processed with my brain that if every living soul followed VP's idea of what is healthy to eat and kept themselves as thin as he think is best,and exercised from childhood on....., that cancer and disease would still happen, maybe less, but it would STILL happen The Okinawans are pretty much a group without intermarriage, where we are the melting pot here in U.S. So genetics and other factors skew those numbers.

And I also feel in my bones that NOTHING will convince VP otherwise.

I think it is kind of him to worry so much about all of us.

[Happinow]

While I agree that the food we eat plays a large part of how healthy we are, there are other circumstances that may lead to poor health or worse. We can take care of our body by eating healthy and exercising but if the good Lord has another plan for us then it would be out of our control. I had a neighbor, 30 years old who ate well, jogged religiously and had a loving wife and kids. One morning he went out to jog and never came home. He collapsed of a heart attack. So, our destiny is not always in our control. His poor parents also lost his 17 and 18 year old sisters in a car crash. 3 children, 3 lives gone. Live each day to its fullest.

[Polar Bear]

VP, I don't know you that well yet. But I must say I simply don't understand the point of your post. It doesn't ask a question. It doesn't request information. It doesn't respond to someone else's point. It doesn't pose a topic for an exchange of opinions and information. It simply states as fact an opinion that is highly arguable and, in some cases, hurtful and offensive.

What's the point?

[skyc6]

VP, I don't know you that we'll yet. But I must say I simply don't understand the point of your post. It doesn't ask a question. It doesn't request information. It doesn't respond to someone else's point. It doesn't pose a topic for an exchange of opinions and information. It simply states as fact an opinion that is highly arguable and, in some cases, hurtful and offensive.

What's the point?

Good question! What is the point??
Eating is simply not the root of all evil.
Spending your days counting how many calories you can do without makes your world very small and closed in.

[l2ridehd]

I can find a scientific study to support EVERY point of view.

Red wine is good for you, or alcohol in any form is bad for you.
Coffee is complex and is good for you, or caffine is bad for you.
Raw sugar is the only sweetener that is good for you, or that all sugar and artificial substitutes are bad.
Eat only fruits and vegetables, or lack of protein in the form of meat or fish is bad.
Lower calories add years to our lives, or your better off with a high fat diet.
Olive oil is the only one to use, olive oil is bad
Carbohydrates are good, or they are bad

I can find a well done scientific study to support every one of those positions. About the only consistent message is exercise in most any form is good. Sedentary is bad.

I personally believe that any thing in moderation is good. Doing anything in excess is bad including eating a so called healthy vegan diet or exercising to extreme. A balance of everything including wine, fat, sugar, meat, fruit, vegetables, olive oil, fish, and most everything else is OK if done in moderation. I believe natural anything is better then processed anything, that true organic is better then any thing grown using pesticides, that exercise is any form is better then none, and that by trying and experiencing all that life has to offer is the very best path to health and happiness.

[Villages PL]

I'm glad you said "usually" 'cause sometimes you just draw a bad hand and have to do the best you can with what you've got.

Yes, I agree. Even among the Okinawans, who are the healtiest and longest lived people in the world, 6 out of 100,000 people die from breast cancer each year. That was in my opening post so I'm glad you understood that "usually" doesn't mean "always".

But what must you think when you read: 6 Okinawan breast cancer deaths per 100,000 people versus 33 in the U.S.?

Buy the way, I looked up the word "deserve" in the dictionary and it has multiple meanings, as one might expect. One implies punishment but then it said "qualified" and I think that word works better to express my point. So I went back and changed it to "qualified".

[Villages PL]

Good for you GOMOHO, well said! I had a niece that died at 22 with ovarian cancer, beautiful girl in college and a picture of health until 6 months before she died. Another niece at 14 required a kidney transplant donated from her mom and she too was a picture of health and not overweight. Doing well today but takes rejection medicine which has and continues to cause other health problems for her. Last thing needed is someone casting blame as if they have all the answers....and in my opinion neither of these got what they deserved.

That's why I went back and changed the word from "deserve" to "qualified". I had my first childhood asthma attack at age nine and almost died from it. But my main point is not what always happens to individuals, it's what usually happens when people live less than optimally healthy lifestyles. An important point is to look at the difference between one lifestyle and another such as Okinawa versus American. The Okinawans are known to "restrict" calories by not eating processed foods and by eating until they are 80% full. And there's a world of difference between their disease rates and ours.

[Villages PL]

You know VP sometimes your comments really amaze me. My granddaughter developed a very aggressive and deadly form of bone cancer at the age of 13 months. Tell me did she deserve it! It must have been from all that mother's milk she drank.

No, she didn't deserve it (the word has been changed to "qualified") because you have to more-or-less do something that you know runs contrairy to a healthy lifestyle. Obviously, at 13 months old she didn't choose a lifestyle.

[Villages PL]

I know VP's oft stated theory about genetics and what switches it on, but it doesn't line up with the information that I have read.

I don't think it's a theory when the CDC states that only about 4 to 6 percent of cancers are genetic. And I've read information from authoritative sources (doctors and professors) that put the general disease rate caused by genes at about 3%.

I feel in my heart, due to what I have read with my eyes and processed with my brain that if every living soul followed VP's idea of what is healthy to eat and kept themselves as thin as he think is best,and exercised from childhood on....., that cancer and disease would still happen, maybe less, but it would STILL happen

And my opening post proves it because I pointed out that there are 6 breast cancer deaths each year per 100,000 Okinawans.


The Okinawans are pretty much a group without intermarriage, where we are the melting pot here in U.S. So genetics and other factors skew those numbers.

No, genetics don't skew those numbers. Who told you that? Studies have been done to determine whether genes have anything to do with it. Over the years, many thousands of Japanese people have immigrated to the U.S..
The first generation tends to favor the Japanese lifestyle that they brought with them from Japan. But the second generation usually adopts the American lifestyle. And studies have shown that the rates of disease for them are the same as for all other Americans. It therefore proves that genes have nothing to do with it.

And I also feel in my bones that NOTHING will convince VP otherwise.

I'll keep an open mind. Can you point to any studies that show the Japanese are healthier because they are different genetically?

I think it is kind of him to worry so much about all of us.

Thank you, what I nice compliment! However, I'm sure there are many who will think I don't DESERVE it. :icon_wink:

[Villages PL]

I had a neighbor, 30 years old who ate well, jogged religiously and had a loving wife and kids. One morning he went out to jog and never came home. He collapsed of a heart attack. So, our destiny is not always in our control.

I can only speak to the issue of the heart attack. Did he have a heart defect that he was born with? Who knows? When it happens to a neighbor, we often don't have access to all of the medical details. Often we think we know everything about someone when we don't. When I was young I took lots of unnecessary risks that not even my parents and siblings knew about, much less neighbors.

His death is one good reason why they say: "Before starting an exercise program, see your doctor."

[Whimsey]

While I agree that the food we eat plays a large part of how healthy we are, there are other circumstances that may lead to poor health or worse. We can take care of our body by eating healthy and exercising but if the good Lord has another plan for us then it would be out of our control. I had a neighbor, 30 years old who ate well, jogged religiously and had a loving wife and kids. One morning he went out to jog and never came home. He collapsed of a heart attack. So, our destiny is not always in our control. His poor parents also lost his 17 and 18 year old sisters in a car crash. 3 children, 3 lives gone. Live each day to its fullest.

I'm with Happinow. I firmly believe that sometimes the good Lord has different plans for us. You can live a really good healthy life and still die young. All part of that master plan !

[Villages PL]

VP, I don't know you that well yet. But I must say I simply don't understand the point of your post. It doesn't ask a question. It doesn't request information. It doesn't respond to someone else's point. It doesn't pose a topic for an exchange of opinions and information. It simply states as fact an opinion that is highly arguable and, in some cases, hurtful and offensive.

What's the point?

Thanks for the input/suggestion. I went back and added a question.

[Villages PL]

Good question! What is the point??

The point is to get people thinking. What do you think about the big difference between the Okinawan's disease rates and our own?

Eating is simply not the root of all evil.

Yes, but this thread is not about "all evil". All evil covers a lot of teritory and we might agree on a lot of it.


Spending your days counting how many calories you can do without makes your world very small and closed in.

Sure, assuming I have been doing what you just immagined. :)

[rubicon]

All of us were incorrectly and forever told what the �ldest profession"is.......... Truly the oldest profession is not prostitution but that profession where someone is going to advise you on how and what to eat how to act, etc and in what measurements and then promise you that is the fountain of youth.

I agree with those who subscribe to the Greek admonition of "�ll things in moderation;albeit i have a sibling who will respond with I agree as long as i can get a lot of moderation.

In addition to moderation, I believe in excercise and a good sense of humor. As we often heard its a great life if you don't weaken.

I appreciate people's point of views on this subject and would never reject anything out of hand. However, life is to be lived and enjoyed because there is no such thing as a dress rehearsal.

[Villages PL]

I can find a scientific study to support EVERY point of view.

Red wine is good for you, or alcohol in any form is bad for you.
Coffee is complex and is good for you, or caffine is bad for you.
Raw sugar is the only sweetener that is good for you, or that all sugar and artificial substitutes are bad.
Eat only fruits and vegetables, or lack of protein in the form of meat or fish is bad.
Lower calories add years to our lives, or your better off with a high fat diet.
Olive oil is the only one to use, olive oil is bad
Carbohydrates are good, or they are bad

I can find a well done scientific study to support every one of those positions. About the only consistent message is exercise in most any form is good. Sedentary is bad.

I personally believe that any thing in moderation is good. Doing anything in excess is bad including eating a so called healthy vegan diet or exercising to extreme. A balance of everything including wine, fat, sugar, meat, fruit, vegetables, olive oil, fish, and most everything else is OK if done in moderation. I believe natural anything is better then processed anything, that true organic is better then any thing grown using pesticides, that exercise is any form is better then none, and that by trying and experiencing all that life has to offer is the very best path to health and happiness.

Good post except I'll have to respectfully disagree with the practice of "moderation". The problem with moderation is that it generally represents something different to each person. Your concept of moderation may be far different than mine. One person might eat pizza once a week and call it moderation while others might choose twice a month or once a month. The last pizza I had was about 10 years ago. Is that moderation?

I think most Americans, if questioned about it, would claim to practice moderation. Yet our disease rates are much higher than they are for Okinawans. So how can we say that "moderation" is the key to good health when it's something that can't be quantified and the quality of food is unknown? It sounds like a very mysterious strategy. :)

If anyone is interested, I can give some parameters for the diet that I recommend.

[Villages PL]

I can find a scientific study to support EVERY point of view.

Probably true but not all studies are created equal. And in our society, for example, someone who has a family history of heart disease might be advised to eat differently. And there are foods that naturally have both good and bad qualities, of which coffee and wine are good examples.

Red wine is good for you, or alcohol in any form is bad for you.
Coffee is complex and is good for you, or caffine is bad for you.
Raw sugar is the only sweetener that is good for you, or that all sugar and artificial substitutes are bad.
Eat only fruits and vegetables, or lack of protein in the form of meat or fish is bad.
Lower calories add years to our lives, or your better off with a high fat diet.
Olive oil is the only one to use, olive oil is bad
Carbohydrates are good, or they are bad

I can find a well done scientific study to support every one of those positions. About the only consistent message is exercise in most any form is good. Sedentary is bad.

Do you work for the food industry? The reason I ask is because what you are suggesting is exactly what the processed food industry wants Americans to believe. The processed food industry would love for everything to be in doubt. That's their best strategy because, if people believe it, they will just go ahead and eat everything, including lots of high calorie processed foods.

I personally believe that any thing in moderation is good. Doing anything in excess is bad including eating a so called healthy vegan diet or exercising to extreme. A balance of everything including wine, fat, sugar, meat, fruit, vegetables, olive oil, fish, and most everything else is OK if done in moderation. I believe natural anything is better then processed anything, that true organic is better then any thing grown using pesticides, that exercise is any form is better then none, and that by trying and experiencing all that life has to offer is the very best path to health and happiness.

There is some truth to some of the things you say. But to suggest a balance of sugar is good, for example, is something that adds calories with no nutritional value. You believe that natural is good but I wonder what's natural about sugar? And where is the scientific study to prove that sugar is good?

Furthermore, I started this thread to suggest that a reduced calorie diet (calorie restriction as practiced by the Okinawans) is healthier and leads to a much lower rate of all degenerative diseases, not to mention that Okinawans enjoy a longer lifespan. What well-done long-term study can you point to that proves the opposite? High calorie diets, over a long period of time, lead to higher disease rates and a shorter lifespan.

P.S. At the end of your post there was the following statement: "Life is too short to drink cheap wine." In the new book, "Gulp", the author mentioned a blind taste test where they gave several experts a choice of different priced wines. One was a $10 dollar wine and I believe the other two were $50 and $60. The experts chose the $10 dollar wine.

[Polar Bear]

...If anyone is interested, I can give some parameters for the diet that I recommend.

Nahhhh...I'm just gonna straight to an Okinawan.

[rubicon]

Good post except I'll have to respectfully disagree with the practice of "moderation". The problem with moderation is that it generally represents something different to each person. Your concept of moderation may be far different than mine. One person might eat pizza once a week and call it moderation while others might choose twice a month or once a month. The last pizza I had was about 10 years ago. Is that moderation?

I think most Americans, if questioned about it, would claim to practice moderation. Yet our disease rates are much higher than they are for Okinawans. So how can we say that "moderation" is the key to good health when it's something that can't be quantified and the quality of food is unknown? It sounds like a very mysterious strategy. :)

If anyone is interested, I can give some parameters for the diet that I recommend.

villages PL: IMHO when folks reference "moderation in all things"they are referring to a way of living over a life time. The above-stated explanation you offer seems to me to be some short term explanation. Ex.. it doesn't mean I count how many pieces of pizza I had this week vis a vis another week, month etc.

[l2ridehd]

VP

I have a great solution for you. Move to Okinawa. I bet you would be so much happier then you are in TV. It's really not such a bad place. Been there many times. My wife lived there for a while. Except the last time I was there, they moved us to each different location in the airport with armed guards carrying AK 47's. Not for me, but you might love it. And health care is not so good either. There infant death statistic is excellent. Of course they don't count it as a birth until the baby is 6 weeks old. Here we count it when born. Look it up if you doubt me. And also the poor there have limited access to good health care so some of those "facts" you quote might be skewed just a bit. But you seem very willing to bet your life they are right. Sorry, but I don't believe there life is so perfect. I do agree that eating good food improves your quality of life, and exercise is a benefit to longevity as well. Obesity is also not good for a healthy life, however there is no magic answer.

As to your wine advice. Cheap wine does not equate to the price, but to the quality. I have had some excellent wines for under $10 a bottle. And some excellent wines for $300 a bottle. I have about 1000 bottles in my wine cellar with an average price of $64.20. (inventory app on iphone) Last night I had an excellent Brunello that was $85. And the night before a very good Sangiovasie from Traders Joes that was $6. Both were not cheap in quality, but one was low cost. Probably should change the saying to "life is to short to drink poor quality wine.

[gomoho]

Well now, that certainly sums things up!

[graciegirl]

Well now, that certainly sums things up!

For the moment.

[KeepingItReal]

...

[Quixote]

I do agree that eating good food improves your quality of life, and exercise is a benefit to longevity as well. Obesity is also not good for a healthy life, however there is no magic answer.

Thank you for your two sentences of clarity. I too agree that processed foods can be unhealthy, and that very processed foods can be very unhealthy. For example, more and more people are becoming aware of the pitfalls of high fructose corn syrup to the point that food processors are "nervously" beginning to address it. More and more of us are becoming aware that "natural flavoring" or "natural seasoning" equals MSG? There are those who believe that when we left the farm and began to live in cities at the time of the Industrial Revolution, we lost the ability to prepare our own healthy foods on a daily basis, giving rise to something called "shelf life" and the need for it. History is fascinating, particularly when we choose to learn something from it!

HOWEVER, to make a leap from this to first "deserving" and subsequently "qualifying" for certain serious health conditions based on our personal choices just seems so over the edge and incredibly judgmental. If the OP had posited about processed foods, consuming too many calories, not exercising enough and left it at that, the point could have been well taken. But what followed--well intentioned as the OP might have been--at the very least makes no sense, and at the very most creates unnecessary upset for those readers who cited tragic experiences of loved ones and friends.

OP, perhaps you'd consider revising the ENTIRE second part of your post rather than the change of just the one word....

And reading about the suggestion that OP move to Okinawa reminds me of my comment to people who constantly complain about having to pay taxes. "Why not move to a place like Somalia where there are no taxes because there's no central government to collect them? Just be prepared to live a completely different lifestyle than you're used to--and be prepared also to dodge the bullets fired by the people of one warlord against those of another...." No roundabouts! Hmmm....

[Golfingnut]

OK here I go with my OPINION:

1. When all possible factors are the same: A balanced diet of whole---NON processed foods and especially additives will increase your likelihood of a longer life. I believe all the posters to this thread Know this to be true.

2. Rather than adding to or debating the OP Observations, some decided to pick a word or portion of a sentence to discredit the entire thread. I find those posts self serving and distracting to an other wise informative piece of information.

3. I give a sincere salute to VP for addressing, quite well, every negative response with grace.

4. I have decided that a holistic life including diet, drinking habits, exercise and even faith is far to difficult for me to follow, so I am overweight, have arthritis, allergies and so on. I do however know that if I would follow VP OP I could at least reduce some of the issues I have.

So, I say VP the second half of your thread was strong in the judgemental direction, but I also say thank you to Villages PL for a fine informative thread and I for one agree with you totally.

[graciegirl]

I think Golfingnut that you MAY have got into this discussion, one of many...

when the credits were rolling.

In order to understand the point of view of any poster you need to read all of their prior posts.

VP is very sincere and I am sure well meaning.

[Golfingnut]

I think Golfingnut that you MAY have got into this discussion, one of many...

when the credits were rolling.

In order to understand the point of view of any poster you need to read all of their prior posts.

VP is very sincere and I am sure well meaning.

MY MY MY. If you would take the time to read my post, you will see this line in it I also say thank you to Villages PL for a fine informative thread and I for one agree with you totally.
What part of that makes you think I missed VP's point. I got and I agree with it. It appears that you may been sleepy when you read mine. Also, keep in mind that if a post is OFF TOPIC, Admin will delete it. Please allow the moderators to do their job.

[Villages PL]

villages PL: IMHO when folks reference "moderation in all things"they are referring to a way of living over a life time. The above-stated explanation you offer seems to me to be some short term explanation. Ex.. it doesn't mean I count how many pieces of pizza I had this week vis a vis another week, month etc.

But if I was trying to figure out how to do it, your explanation wouldn't help. You mean you keep track of the number of pizzas over a lifetime? Or maybe you mean that you just don't keep track at all because you tend to forget over a long period period of time. Your explanation leaves me more confused than before.

Someone needs to write another health book titled: "How to Achieve Great Health, Weight Control and Happiness Through Moderation of Food Consumption and Exercise: At last, an athoritative guide book for those who don't understand how moderation works." :loco:

[Golfingnut]

But if I was trying to figure out how to do it, your explanation wouldn't help. You mean you keep track of the number of pizzas over a lifetime? Or maybe you mean that you just don't keep track at all because you tend to forget over a long period period of time. Your explanation leaves me more confused than before.

Someone needs to write another health book titled: "How to Achieve Great Health, Weight Control and Happiness Through Moderation of Food Consumption and Exercise: At last, an athoritative guide book for those who don't understand how moderation works." :loco:

Your right again VP. You summed up in a short post what this Link talks about.

What Does Eat In Moderation Mean? | LIVESTRONG.COM (http://www.livestrong.com/article/523349-what-does-eat-in-moderation-mean/)

[Polar Bear]

I think "all things in moderation" is a reasonable way to live a reasonably healthy life...unless of course you spend too much time trying to figure out what moderation is. :sigh:

[golf4me]

I think Golfingnut that you MAY have got into this discussion, one of many...

when the credits were rolling.

In order to understand the point of view of any poster you need to read all of their prior posts.

VP is very sincere and I am sure well meaning.

You say that but I don't think you agree with VPs diet. I think your diplomacy made golfingnut miss your point.. In fact you have disagreed with VPs diet many times.

Completely plant based with a teaspoon or so of fat is very hard to maintain over time. I would call it an extreme diet.

[Golfingnut]

I think "all things in moderation" is a reasonable way to live a reasonably healthy life...unless of course you spend too much time trying to figure out what moderation is. :sigh:

LOL Great assessment of the sitceeashun. :jester:

By the way is that a small mouth bass in your avatar

[Villages PL]

Your right again VP. You summed up in a short post what this Link talks about.

What Does Eat In Moderation Mean? | LIVESTRONG.COM (http://www.livestrong.com/article/523349-what-does-eat-in-moderation-mean/)

Thanks for the link. It talks about quality (nutrient dense) foods that are consumed in moderation so as not to gain weight. I like that part. But I don't agree with some of the food choices, like milk and meat. And there were no suggestions as to what an ideal weight might be (BMI).

The part about nutrient dense foods was very important because I don't think people on this board mean the same thing when they say, "all things in moderation". When they say, "all things" I take them at their word. All things means: Cakes, pies, cookies, donuts, ice cream, soft drinks, pizza, lasagna, french fries, hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken pot pie, and many other processed foods.

[Villages PL]

I think "all things in moderation" is a reasonable way to live a reasonably healthy life...unless of course you spend too much time trying to figure out what moderation is. :sigh:

If you're satisfied with moderate health and a moderate lifespan that's your choice. I love life and expect to have the best health and live a long long life.

[Polar Bear]

If you're satisfied with moderate health and a moderate lifespan that's your choice. I love life and expect to have the best health and live a long long life.

Really?!? You're equating moderate health and a moderate lifespan" with a philosophy of all-things-in-moderation? Really? I mean...REALLY??!!?? :1rotfl:

[Polar Bear]

...By the way is that a small mouth bass in your avatar

Actually it's a small (but feisty!!) large-mouth bass. :^)

[Villages PL]

I started this thread on 5/21/13 and this is part of what I said in my opening post:

"Medical doctors won't cure you by prescribing drugs to cover up symptoms. It's all up to you and the foods you put in your mouth. You have to work for good health. You have to earn it."

Yesterday, (on 5/22/13) doctor Joe Hildner, chief medical officer of The Villages Health, was quoted in the Daily Sun as saying the following. He said he doesn't manage diseases - his patients do, and he shows them how. He said the clinics won't treat diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure etc.. The patients will be taught how to do it themselves.

This is what I have been saying all along that needs to be done. Now it's official because it has the stamp of approval from The Villages Health. But saying it is one thing and actually doing it is another. Let's wait and see how effective they are at following through.

[Barefoot]

It's not all about nutrition. Having a social network of supportive friends also contributes to a long and happy life. And this has been statistically proven. Even the love of a pet will help reduce blood pressure. I personally believe that living a life filled with zest and joy helps the immune system to fight disease.

[janmcn]

A recent newspaper article about a centenarian birthday party in Sun City, attended by about 20 some celebrants, asked the age old question to one 101 year old man. What advice do you have to live a long life? His reply "I can't give any advice since I still smoke and drink" he said as he climbed in his car and drove away. This guy, in my opinion, will eventually die with a big smile on his face.


http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/centenarians-gather-in-sun-city-center-to-party-remember/2111580


Notice how few men are in the photo.

[Cantwaittoarrive]

Whether it's cancer, heart disease, diabetes or a host of other degenerative diseases, no intervention works better than cutting back on calories. That's why, for example, Okinawans have only 6 breast cancer deaths per one hundred thousand people while Americans have 33. Prostate, 4 deaths vs. 28

This means eliminating high calorie processed foods. These are the foods that cause disease and eventually kill people.

This has been well documented with numerous studies that began in the 1930s.

Medical doctors won't cure you by prescribing drugs to cover up symptoms. It's all up to you and what foods you put in your mouth. Therefore, the best health care system in the world can't magically bestow good health upon their patients. You have to work for good health. You have to earn it. That's why I have always said that, when it comes to degenerative diseases, people usually get the health they are qualified for.

Do you know of any health strategy that's better than the one I outlined above?

I won't even get into all of the misrepresentations in your post I will just make an observation on your title. Your title is not accurate, you say "disease prevention" and then go on to state "Okinawans have only 6 breast cancer deaths per one hundred thousand people " that's not prevention, it may be reduction but it's certainly not prevention.

[skyc6]

MY MY MY. If you would take the time to read my post, you will see this line in it I also say thank you to Villages PL for a fine informative thread and I for one agree with you totally.
What part of that makes you think I missed VP's point. I got and I agree with it. It appears that you may been sleepy when you read mine. Also, keep in mind that if a post is OFF TOPIC, Admin will delete it. Please allow the moderators to do their job.

If you reread Gracie's post, she suggested you may need to go back and read all of Village PL's posts, in order to understand the true perspective, not just the current one.
We are in reruns here.

[CarolynEliz]

It's not all about nutrition. Having a social network of supportive friends also contributes to a long and happy life. And this has been statistically proven. Even the love of a pet will help reduce blood pressure. I personally believe that living a life filled with zest and joy helps the immune system to fight disease.

You are right on target, Barefoot! Great advice!

[Villages PL]

You say that but I don't think you agree with VPs diet. I think your diplomacy made golfingnut miss your point.. In fact you have disagreed with VPs diet many times.

Completely plant based with a teaspoon or so of fat is very hard to maintain over time. I would call it an extreme diet.

My diet is mostly plant based but not completely plant based. I often put one teaspoon of olive oil in a dish of soup for flavoring. That's for taste. 2 or 3 teaspoons of olive oil would taste the same, so there's no point in using more.

I bet I could find a lot of faults with your diet. But one would have to be confident to put their diet out for everyone to see. And I don't know of anyone else who has done it.

[Villages PL]

Well now, that certainly sums things up!

Yes, it does. 0 + 0 = 0 :icon_wink:

[Villages PL]

Really?!? You're equating moderate health and a moderate lifespan" with a philosophy of all-things-in-moderation? Really? I mean...REALLY??!!?? :1rotfl:

Absolutely! And it has been proved scientifically. High calorie foods (even in moderation) equate to a shorter lifespan.

The lowest calorie whole-foods diet yields the longest lifespan, on average.
And to the extent you increase calories, lifespan gets shorter.

And it doesn't mean you have to count calories. You just have to be aware of the difference between high calorie processed foods and natural whole foods.

[Villages PL]

BTW, the Okinawan diet is high in pork and sweet potatoes, from what I read.

I should have made it clear in my opening post that I was referring to the Okinawan lifestyle as set forth in the book "The Okinawa Program". That book was the result of a 25 year study. At that time, Okinawans were the healthiest and longest lived people in the world. When the book was written, several years ago, the authors mentioned that lifestyle standards were declining. For example, I believe there were already one or two McDonald's restaurants and the younger generation was slowly acquiring a taste fast food.

That's why the 25 year study and the book are so valuable. It's a snapshot in time of a healthy lifestyle. In the future, we may never have another example like it to follow.

As far as eating a lot of pork: That may very well be true today but at the time of the study, their total consumption of animal protein was only about 15 % of their diet, on average. By comparison, the total amount of animal protein consumed by Americans was about 52%, on average.

Sweet potatoes: Back in the very early days when there was a drastic shortage of food, they ate a lot of sweet potatoes to keep from starving.

[Villages PL]

It's not all about nutrition. Having a social network of supportive friends also contributes to a long and happy life. And this has been statistically proven. Even the love of a pet will help reduce blood pressure. I personally believe that living a life filled with zest and joy helps the immune system to fight disease.

I won't disagree with that in general. It certainly shouldn't hurt to have a social network and it might help. But suppose a person has high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease because of being overweight or obese? And suppose that person's friends like to go out to eat fast food? Is that going to help or hurt?

At best, a dog might shave a couple of points off of high blood pressure. So it's not a cure for high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease.

Zest and joy, oh boy! :) That's definitely a plus but lets put it together with a healthy diet. Let's not eat all the wrong foods and then try to fix it with "zest and joy". I've seen people try to do that and it works up to a point but then they develop all kinds of health issues in their older years.

[Villages PL]

A recent newspaper article about a centenarian birthday party in Sun City, attended by about 20 some celebrants, asked the age old question to one 101 year old man. What advice do you have to live a long life? His reply "I can't give any advice since I still smoke and drink" he said as he climbed in his car and drove away. This guy, in my opinion, will eventually die with a big smile on his face.

People absolutely love stories like that because it means that maybe their bad habits won't hurt them either. When he says he drinks, it may be something as harmless as 4 ounces of wine with a meal. And it has been speculated by doctors that the harm from smoking can be offset by a diet that is high in antioxidants. Many years ago, there were some Okinawans who were known to smoke into very old age without any health issues. But if a smoker eats the standard American diet of highly processed foods, I wouldn't count on living to any advanced old age.

There was a story of a woman in France who lived to be about 115 or older. When they asked her to what she attributed her longevity, she said she quit smoking when she was 100 years old. But the media never try to get the whole story. I believe she lived in the country where people grow and eat their own fruit and vegetables and don't eat processed foods.

Also, no one knows how much they smoked. When I was in high school, my best friend's father smoked exactly one cigarette per day, after dinner. He would get it from his son who smoked a pack a day.

About dying with a smile: I only smoked for 15 years but I grew to hate it. I hated it but had a difficult time quiting. In my opinion, there's nothing to smile about when it comes to smoking addiction. It stinks!


Notice how few men are in the photo.

Also notice that men are bigger, taller and stronger than women. And they pay a price for it. The bigger you are, the more calories you need to sustain yourself. And this is what I just finished telling someone else. The higher the number of calories your diet calls for, the shorter your lifespan will be.

[Polar Bear]

...And it has been proved scientifically...

You keep telling yourself that, VP. Using your interpretation I have no doubt it's true.

[Barefoot]

...

[KeepingItReal]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Villages PL
That's why I went back and changed the word from "deserve" to "qualified".
If you're satisfied with moderate health and a moderate lifespan that's your choice. I love life and expect to have the best health and live a long long life.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Villages PL
...And it has been proved scientifically...

You keep telling yourself that, VP. Using your interpretation I have no doubt it's true.

:BigApplause:

In ones own mind and in their own mental world anything can be true to them, no medical credentials, medical training, or experience here to base anything on...much less science...just conjecture based on opinion, biased surveys to promote a cause, and self serving half truths..there are many many more contributing factors to health than just diet. Good diets do not guarantee good health, bad diets do not guarantee bad health, and good diets do not guarantee we will live longer. God will decide how long we live not us by eating a certain way. If one is blessed with good heath they should be thankful instead of disparaging others, guess the previous post had the best idea..the least said the better...

[Villages PL]

VP

I have a great solution for you. Move to Okinawa. I bet you would be so much happier then you are in TV. It's really not such a bad place. Been there many times. My wife lived there for a while. Except the last time I was there, they moved us to each different location in the airport with armed guards carrying AK 47's. Not for me, but you might love it.

I doubt that I would love it. I don't speak Japanese and I wouldn't like eating restaurant food 3 times a day. What would be the point of it? Anyway, it's my patriotic duty ;) to stay here to help make The Villages "America's healthiest hometown." And I can help just by being here, being healthy without taking prescription drugs, and setting a good example for others.

And health care is not so good either. There infant death statistic is excellent. Of course they don't count it as a birth until the baby is 6 weeks old. Here we count it when born. Look it up if you doubt me.

It would help if you would give your source of information.

And also the poor there have limited access to good health care so some of those "facts" you quote might be skewed just a bit.

In what way would my facts be skewed? If they enjoy good health, in spite of limited access to good health care, that makes their good health and longevity all the more amazing.


But you seem very willing to bet your life they are right. Sorry, but I don't believe there life is so perfect.

Lets not get carried away. I don't follow the Okinawan diet completely as it is presented in the book. I only used it as an example of the benefits one can get from a low calorie diet. I would never bet my life (as if it would be a big risk) on one source. As far as their lives being perfect, who said that?


I do agree that eating good food improves your quality of life, and exercise is a benefit to longevity as well. Obesity is also not good for a healthy life, however there is no magic answer.

Well, then we are in agreement!

As to your wine advice. Cheap wine does not equate to the price, but to the quality. I have had some excellent wines for under $10 a bottle. And some excellent wines for $300 a bottle. I have about 1000 bottles in my wine cellar......

Is that cellar in your restaurant?

[Villages PL]

I did find some information in the book, "The Okinawa Program", that was based on the 25-year study of Okinawa. It was conducted by 2 American doctors and 1 Japanese doctor, and they were the authors of the book that came out in 2001. You can say it's outdated if you want to, but the point of the study is to provide a snapshot in time of a healthy lifestyle.

At the time of the study, the world rankings for longevity were as follows: (And the source of information was the World Health Organization, Japan Ministry of Health and Welfare)

....................Average Life expectancy
1) Okinawa...............81.2

2) Japan...................79.9

3) Hong Kong.............79.1

4) Sweden.................79.0

8) Italy......................78.3

10) Greece..................78.1

18) United States.........76.8

The authors claim that every city, town and village has had reliable birth and death statistics since 1879. And based on those statistics, Okinawa had the highest concentration of centenarians. In a population of 1.3 million, they had 400 centenarians. That's about 34 per 100,000 population. In the U.S. it was 5 to 10 per 100,000. That's a big difference.

The 3 doctors spent 25 years doing this study, they put their reputations and credibility on the line, so I'm sure they gave careful thought to providing accurate statistics.

[Villages PL]

You keep telling yourself that, VP. Using your interpretation I have no doubt it's true.

It's not my interpretation, read the following book that was written by a highly qualified gereatrician/research doctor: "Beyond the 120-Year Diet" by Roy L. Walford, M.D. He provides a brief history of all the studies going back to the 1930s. These studies have been done over and over again all around the world to show a direct relationship between calorie consumption and lifespan.

[Villages PL]

In ones own mind and in their own mental world anything can be true to them.......God will decide how long we live not us by eating a certain way.

I found it amazing that you scorned me by stating that it's all in my mind and my own mental world, and therefore, that's what makes it true to me. And then you state that God will decide how long we live. Is God not of your own mind and mental world?

[perrjojo]

I love reformed Smokers, Drinkers, Born Again Christains and diet experts.
I may say that PL has many valid points but sometimes our zeal for a thing gets in the way of others hearing the message.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Yes, I agree. Even among the Okinawans, who are the healtiest and longest lived people in the world, 6 out of 100,000 people die from breast cancer each year. That was in my opening post so I'm glad you understood that "usually" doesn't mean "always".

But what must you think when you read: 6 Okinawan breast cancer deaths per 100,000 people versus 33 in the U.S.?

Buy the way, I looked up the word "deserve" in the dictionary and it has multiple meanings, as one might expect. One implies punishment but then it said "qualified" and I think that word works better to express my point. So I went back and changed it to "qualified".

You're talking about a difference of 27 out of 100,000. It's really pretty insignificant if you look at it that way.

[Polar Bear]

It's not my interpretation, read the following book...

There you've hit on the biggest reason (imho) you're getting resistance here, VP. You point to a book (or two or three) and claim your point is no longer disputable. It certainly still IS your interpretation and it IS disputable...with or without your references.

[KeepingItReal]

I found it amazing that you scorned me by stating that it's all in my mind and my own mental world, and therefore, that's what makes it true to me. And then you state that God will decide how long we live. Is God not of your own mind and mental world?


Absolutely not, faith, salvation, and a relationship with God are a heart work and not a work of the mind. With our hearts we believe and have faith, not our minds.

Psalms 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.



There is no purpose here except to argue and say look at me, me, me........how great I am doing and how bad you are doing if you are not like me and believe everything I say because I read a book, LOL...fact is everything is being taken from some other source, there are no personal qualifications to endorse anything....

[Cantwaittoarrive]

And then you state that God will decide how long we live. Is God not of your own mind and mental world?

I don't know how old you are but I suspect that sometime in the next 10, 20, 30 years you will find out the answer to that question for yourself. Just a clue to the answer, God is real!!! and thankfully God is unconditional Love!

[Villages PL]

I love reformed Smokers, Drinkers, Born Again Christains and diet experts.
I may say that PL has many valid points but sometimes our zeal for a thing gets in the way of others hearing the message.

I'm a reformed smoker but I have never claimed to be a diet expert. What is a diet expert anyway? Someone who has a degree? I have heard degreed "experts" say some pretty dumb things about diet. Although, they are usually the ones who work for the food industry, and there are a lot of them who do.

As far as "zeal" getting in the way, I kind of doubt it. I prefer to call it "being highly motivated". :thumbup:

[Villages PL]

Your title is not accurate, you say "disease prevention" and then go on to state "Okinawans have only 6 breast cancer deaths per one hundred thousand people " that's not prevention, it may be reduction but it's certainly not prevention.

It may be "cancer reduction" in the aggregate, when you compare one group to another. But when an individual picks an eating plan, he/she seeks to prevent cancer, not reduce it. Anyway, of the 6 who got cancer, we have no way of knowing if they followed the standard Okinawan diet. I don't think anyone expects 100% compliance.

When we pick an eating plan in an attempt to prevent cancer, all we can do is pick a plan that offers the least amount of risk. When it comes to diet and health there's no such thing as a "perfect diet". It's always about reducing risk.

[Golfingnut]

VP you are right on your view of the proper diet. Like me, many others just can't live with a proper diet. I eat too much of the wrong food and drink to much etc. etc. Different from some of your tormentors on this thread, I know you are right, I just am a bad boy and do not follow the right diet. Not sure why so many choose to say you are wrong. Guilt perhaps or inability to admit to failure. Again, I have a terrible diet regime, but I do know that you are right so stick to your plan and you will outlive most of the ones on this tread that disagree with you.

[TOTV Team]

Temporarily closed while under review. Thanks for your patience.