Opinion: Why We Fall for Fad Diets, by Janet Chrzan in The Scientist

[AussieNeil]

- Human beings are susceptible to the latest nutritional trends, regardless of their actual biological value.

Janet Chrzan is Adjunct Assistant Professor of Nutrition at the University of Pennsylvania and received her PhD in physical/nutritional anthropology from the University of Pennsylvania.

the-scientist.com/reading-f...

Scan the aisles any bookstore and you will find a multitude of diet books, from general “healthy eating” cookbooks to specific or clinical how-to books focusing on various dietary regimens, such as gluten-free and ketogenic. If one were to read them all, it would be very confusing indeed. Some forbid fats, while others warn against carbohydrates and sugars; some encourage a narrow range of particular foods, while others specifically ban certain items. In a year or two, these books will be available at your local thrift shop, priced at $1 each. That’s because, like the diet recommendations that came before them, many of these diet guidelines will soon be abandoned, either because they don’t work or because they have been replaced by the next popular food regimen.

Janet Chrzan examines the Paleo diet in particular, noting that Paleo is also popular because the cultural meanings attached to “going paleo” signify social status, identity, and wellness. Many people believe that evolutionary nutrition promises optimal health, but it’s difficult to reconstruct ancient diets because of the incomplete nature of the archeological record and because much of humans’ diverse omnivorous diet does not fossilize.

Paleo encourages belief in keto, gluten-free, and clean diets. When examined together, it’s clear that fad diets really aren’t about the food, but they do signal group belonging and self-identity—two qualities central to the psychological health of most humans. And because they fulfill social (if not nutritional) goals, fad diets make cultural sense.

Most of us re-evaluate our diet when we are diagnosed, which can be a worthwhile exercise, because most of us can make healthier choices. However there is more evidence that improving our fitness can help us live better with our CLL than dietary changes. In particular, study after study has found no benefit from adding supplements to our diet, unless we are deficient in a specific vitamin, etc. Even then, we are generally better off sourcing this from foods than supplements.

I consider the likelihood of curing our CLL through dietary changes as exceedingly low as I explain in this two part post:healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

Also I don't believe that there is one diet which suits everyone. Our optimal diet is probably as heterogeneous as is our CLL.

Neil

[Ernest2]

Great article, many thanks Neil.

I might make a personal exception for B12 (caused by damage I'm thinking from antibiotics) but there I'm daft enough to live as far as you can get from the sea and fresh seafood.

Best wishes,

Ernest

[blowinginthewind in reply to Ernest2]

I am coeliac, my gut can't absorb B12, and I have anaphylactic allergic to fish and seafood. So no hope of getting either of those via "healthy eating". I have B12 injections, and avoid the fish etc. I get vitamin D via vegan tablets - not easy to find, and NHS won't fund because they say being vegan in a lifestyle choice. I am NOT vegan!

[Sushibruno]

Neil, I suffer from chronic neck, shoulders and arm pain. I went to a reputable health store and bought magnisium glycinate. Im not gonna say my pain went away completely but it has lessened by half.

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator in reply to Sushibruno]

Thanks, but I doubt my magnesium is low, as it's checked in my blood tests, plus my diet is rich in sources of magnesium per medicalnewstoday.com/articl... which states;

Magnesium glycinate is a supplement that boosts magnesium levels in people with a deficiency of the mineral.

Magnesium is a vital nutrient for regulating many body processes, including muscle and nerve function, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure. This mineral also supports the making of protein, bone, and DNA.

:

Speak to a doctor before taking any new supplements.

Neil

[Sushibruno in reply to AussieNeil]

Ok Neil, you're absolutely right I will definitely let them know🙂.

[Sushibruno in reply to AussieNeil]

Thank you Neil.

[richutchens]

I’m been on a plant exclusive diet for a long time. No salt, oil or sugar. Feel fantastic

[jacjar1]

Your closing statement is key. "Also I don't believe that there is one diet which suits everyone. Our optimal diet is probably as heterogeneous as is our CLL."

so many have tried to do diets that just aren't for them. Low carb/keto diet has done wonders for me lost over 40lbs. my wife is down 17lbs. We adapted it to our lifestyle. We are not the hard core count every carb people but like anything else moderation is best. The goal has been to get off our BP meds. My wife has done it. my BP has dropped 20 points and need probably another 15 lbs to start to cut back on meds (of course will be working with my GP).

[LeoPa]

I dare say I read books about most diets ever invented. It is not hard to discover the truth. The only thing needed is lots of reading and analytical thinking. Most authors got some things right and some things wrong. Most of them is lost in the forest not seeing the woods because the trees obstruct their view. The bottom line is always the same. Do not eat anything that harms you in any way and eat only real foods that nourish the body and have nutritional value. I forgot. I think that most people fall for fad diets because most people take shortcuts and want to do everything the easy way. Few people are willing to put in the time and effort necessary to study up how to do it right and then implement it too.