Sense and Nonsense
These days, to rational minds, more and more things don’t make much sense.
For example: Benzene is on the EPA’s list of known carcinogens. So, it’s bad enough that the FDA allows levels of benzene in common soft drinks that exceed federal benzene limits in tap water. (See http://www.ewg.org/issues/toxics/20060404/index.php.) But we then compound the error by underfunding our schools, leading them, in their desperation, to sell the aforementioned toxin to our cherished children. Go figure. I sure can’t.
This brings me to my latest rant. Today, again, I’m shaking my head. From surprise? No. I’m disheartened, yes, but surprised, no.
The New England Journal of Medicine (in its April 13 issue) offers us a new study comparing the fat content of popular fast foods, country-by-country. Suffice it to say, a serving of French fries in Denmark has significantly less fat than a comparable order of “Freedom fries” (Don’t get me started on this one!) in the U.S.
Of course, we can “just say no” to transfats, to sugar, to excessive and often injurious pharmaceuticals. And to sending idiots to Washington. (The members of this noxious quartet are not unrelated. Need a hint? Think big business.)
When a patient comes into my office and doesn’t feel well, one of the first things I have to ask is, “What are you eating and what’s eating you?” (Also not unrelated.) Fortunately, there’s usually an obvious area of weakness to target and correct.
Truth is — with appropriate lifestyle changes and targeted supplementation, and with simple adjustments to our spines and our attitudes — most of us can thrive — sans trans, sans sodas, and sans drugs. Now that makes sense!
For example: Benzene is on the EPA’s list of known carcinogens. So, it’s bad enough that the FDA allows levels of benzene in common soft drinks that exceed federal benzene limits in tap water. (See http://www.ewg.org/issues/toxics/20060404/index.php.) But we then compound the error by underfunding our schools, leading them, in their desperation, to sell the aforementioned toxin to our cherished children. Go figure. I sure can’t.
This brings me to my latest rant. Today, again, I’m shaking my head. From surprise? No. I’m disheartened, yes, but surprised, no.
The New England Journal of Medicine (in its April 13 issue) offers us a new study comparing the fat content of popular fast foods, country-by-country. Suffice it to say, a serving of French fries in Denmark has significantly less fat than a comparable order of “Freedom fries” (Don’t get me started on this one!) in the U.S.
Of course, we can “just say no” to transfats, to sugar, to excessive and often injurious pharmaceuticals. And to sending idiots to Washington. (The members of this noxious quartet are not unrelated. Need a hint? Think big business.)
When a patient comes into my office and doesn’t feel well, one of the first things I have to ask is, “What are you eating and what’s eating you?” (Also not unrelated.) Fortunately, there’s usually an obvious area of weakness to target and correct.
Truth is — with appropriate lifestyle changes and targeted supplementation, and with simple adjustments to our spines and our attitudes — most of us can thrive — sans trans, sans sodas, and sans drugs. Now that makes sense!
