Metabolical

1. Processed food is the root cause of chronic diseases and environmental degradation

Processed food kills people (eventually). Processed food kills pocketbooks (eventually). Processed food kills budgets (eventually). Processed food kills the planet (eventually).

Chronic disease epidemic: The prevalence of chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and obesity has skyrocketed in the past 50 years, coinciding with the rise of processed food consumption. These diseases now account for 75% of healthcare costs in the US, with 75% of that being preventable.

Environmental impact: The industrial food system contributes significantly to climate change, soil erosion, water contamination, and loss of biodiversity. Monoculture farming, synthetic fertilizers, and concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) are major culprits. For example:

• Agriculture is responsible for 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions
• Nitrogen runoff from farms creates "dead zones" in water bodies
• Deforestation for agriculture, such as clearing the Amazon for sugar farms, reduces the planet's ability to absorb carbon dioxide

2. Modern medicine treats symptoms, not underlying causes of chronic diseases

"Treatment" Is Not "Cure"—It's Not Even Treatment

Symptom-focused approach: Modern medicine primarily focuses on treating symptoms of chronic diseases rather than addressing their root causes. This approach leads to:

• Continued progression of underlying conditions
• Increased healthcare costs without improving overall health
• Reliance on medications that may have significant side effects

Misunderstanding metabolic health: The medical establishment often misinterprets key indicators of health:

• Obesity is treated as the cause of metabolic problems, when it's often a symptom
• LDL cholesterol is targeted with statins, while more significant factors like triglycerides are overlooked
• Blood glucose is emphasized in diabetes treatment, while insulin resistance is the underlying issue

3. Sugar is addictive and toxic, contributing to numerous health problems

Sugar is calories, but not food.

Addictive properties: Sugar activates the brain's reward system similarly to drugs like cocaine, leading to addictive behavior patterns. The food industry exploits this by adding sugar to 74% of processed foods.

Toxic effects: Excessive sugar consumption, particularly fructose, contributes to:

• Liver fat accumulation and insulin resistance
• Increased inflammation and oxidative stress
• Accelerated aging through the glycation process
• Higher risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers

Hidden sources: Sugar is often hidden in processed foods under various names, making it difficult for consumers to avoid. There are 262 different names for added sugar used on food labels.

4. Real Food protects the liver and feeds the gut, promoting overall health

Protect the liver, feed the gut.

Real Food definition: Real Food is minimally processed, nutrient-dense, and fiber-rich. It includes:

• Whole fruits and vegetables
• Whole grains
• High-quality proteins (e.g., grass-fed meats, wild-caught fish)
• Healthy fats (e.g., olive oil, avocados, nuts)

Health benefits: Consuming Real Food:

• Protects the liver by reducing sugar and toxin intake
• Feeds beneficial gut bacteria, promoting a healthy microbiome
• Provides essential nutrients and antioxidants
• Reduces inflammation and oxidative stress
• Supports healthy metabolism and weight management

5. The food industry manipulates science and policy to maintain profits

Big Food, trade associations, and some academics remain in an unholy alliance to cover up and paper this over.

Scientific manipulation: The food industry influences research by:

• Funding studies that support their products
• Suppressing unfavorable research
• Co-opting scientists and public health experts

Policy influence: Big Food lobbies government agencies and policymakers to:

• Maintain agricultural subsidies that support processed food production
• Prevent or weaken regulations on unhealthy food products
• Shape dietary guidelines to favor their interests

Public perception: The industry uses marketing and public relations tactics to:

• Promote the idea of "personal responsibility" for health issues
• Downplay the addictive and harmful nature of processed foods
• Create confusion about nutrition science

6. Government agencies fail to regulate processed food effectively

The USDA and FDA Don't Kill People; Rather They Let Them Die

Regulatory shortcomings: The FDA and USDA have several failings in regulating the food industry:

• The FDA's Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) list allows companies to add substances to food without proper safety review
• The USDA's dietary guidelines are influenced by industry interests
• Inadequate labeling requirements allow misleading health claims on processed foods

Conflicts of interest: Government agencies often have revolving door relationships with the industries they regulate, compromising their ability to protect public health.

Subsidy problems: Agricultural subsidies distort the food market, making processed foods artificially cheap while Real Food remains relatively expensive.

7. Changing the food system requires both personal and societal interventions

Reducing availability reduces consumption, which reduces health harms.

Personal interventions:

• Education about Real Food and its benefits
• Learning to cook and prepare meals at home
• Reading food labels and avoiding ultra-processed foods

Societal interventions:

• Implementing taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages and other unhealthy foods
• Restricting marketing of processed foods, especially to children
• Reforming agricultural subsidies to support Real Food production
• Improving school food programs to provide healthier options

Workplace initiatives: Banning sugary beverages in workplaces, as done at UCSF, can significantly reduce consumption and improve employee health.

8. Real Food is economically beneficial for individuals, society, and the planet

Real Food Is Good for the Planet

Healthcare savings: Shifting to a Real Food diet could save billions in healthcare costs:

• A 20% reduction in sugar consumption could save $10 billion annually in the US
• A 50% reduction could save $31.8 billion

Economic growth: Morgan Stanley models show that reducing sugar consumption could maintain US economic growth at 2.9%, while maintaining high sugar consumption could lead to 0% growth by 2035.

Environmental benefits: Real Food production through sustainable and regenerative farming practices can:

• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
• Improve soil health and water quality
• Increase biodiversity
• Enhance food security and resilience

Local economies: Supporting local, sustainable food systems can boost local economies and create jobs in agriculture and food production.

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Last updated: January 23, 2025