Comments on: Eat, Drink & Be Merry

By: Broughton

Broughton — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:09:53 +0000

I dare you to take this a step farther and debunk the myths and lies that marketers spread to get suckers to buy “organic” vegetables and other products, which are actually less safe and worse for the environment than conventional produce.

By: J. D. Draeger

J. D. Draeger — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 03:06:21 +0000

Has nobody considered the possibility that people eating the foods most common in their culture might show adaptation towards more efficiently extracting nutrients from those foods? Perhaps different species mixes of bacteria in the GI tract of the different cultures might account for slightly different absorption rates of various nutrients. Feasting occasionally or eating less healthy foods occasionally is not likely to cause much harm. It’s the daily choices we make that add up to real significance in the long run. But no doubt harmful microorganisms play a part in many diseases blamed purely on bad food choices. Some of you guys need to lighten up. I don’t think Dr. Shermer wanted to start a serious physics discussion here.

By: E.F.Grasett

E.F.Grasett — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 17:45:07 +0000

Re: Keith Carmichael’s comment —
In the Real World, friction exists, and energy must be used to overcome it. Does resisting deceleration not count as acceleration for purposes of F=MA?

By: Keith Carmichael

Keith Carmichael — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 00:55:08 +0000

What has F = M A have to do with anything if riding up hill at constant speed?
Rate of increase in potential energy is proportional to Mass, to speed and increases with slope of hill. Cyclists slow because the rate at which they can work is limited.

By: P R Allen

P R Allen — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 16:52:40 +0000

As a 59 year old male marathoner/triathlete/adventure sport enthusiast I merely increase my carbs before a race. The rest of the time I eat what I want in moderation as often as possible. The absorption of nutrients effected by beliefs sounds plausible. However, no amount of scientific research or anecdotal evidence will make me shave my legs, or body, to go two seconds faster.

By: D Miller

D Miller — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 16:49:23 +0000

Be careful in evaluating Glassner’s work not to confuse causes of disease with associations. For example, being poor probably does not CAUSE disease, it simply is a proxy for less availability of health care and nutritious food. Poor understanding of this accounts for some of the apparent confusion.

By: T Y Harrigan

T Y Harrigan — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 13:40:49 +0000

As a 50 year old male who recently lost 30 lbs of body fat by cycling, running and watching calorie intake, I can say that eating does make a difference: how much, what and when. But the key is moderation. I still eat every food that I like, but just not too much or to often.

By: L K Tucker

L K Tucker — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 13:07:47 +0000

I was aware that suggestibility played a part in mental illness but not that absorption of nutrients could be effected by appeal or beliefs.