Proof That Whole Grain Diet Does NOT Improve Hearth Health

[tex]

Finally, an actual (intervention) trial, (involving "normal" people, following specified diets), proves that a diet rich in whole grains does not result in any improvement of the markers of hearth health. Typically, claims supporting the benefits of a diet rich in whole grains, are based on epidemiological studies that basically amount to "locating the right data set", to prove the point that the author wishes to make.

there were no significant differences in any markers of CVD risk between groups.

CVD stands for cardiovascular disease, of course.

http://journals.cambridge.org/action/di ... id=7816745

http://www.drbriffa.com/blog/2010/07/05 ... the-heart/

I'm tired of constantly seeing all the whole-grain propaganda being waved in our faces, so I hope that someone takes this research project to heart, and expands on it.

Tex

[Polly]

Thanks for sharing this Tex.

Finally, indeed. You know that I have never been a big believer that grains of any kind supply good nutrition. You can get more fiber from fruits/veggies or legumes than from whole grains. And much better nutrition as well. As I often point out, if grains were all that nutritious, why are they supplemented with B vitamins and other things?

It's just like the propaganda that milk is needed for strong teeth and bones.

Love,

Polly

[Rosie]

Speaking of propaganda, it seems like every food industry marketing group comes up with a heart-healthy, anti-aging, or anti-cancer twist to whatever food is being promoted. And Tex, you are right on the money!

are based on epidemiological studies that basically amount to "locating the right data set", to prove the point that the author wishes to make.

I'm reminded of a funny story about the first George H.W. Bush. The broccoli lobby was heavily promoting the health benefits of this veggi, it was something of a fad, and his wife Barbara got caught up in the bandwagon. Bush got into a lot of trouble for this following quote:

I do not like broccoli. And I haven't liked it since I was a little kid and my mother made me eat it. And I'm President of the United States and I'm not going to eat any more broccoli.
George H. W. Bush

I remember that the broccoli growers got together and sent a truckload of broccoli to the front door of the White House. I don't think that President Bush was amused, but everyone could identify with his feelings about not eating something you didn't like that was supposed to be "good" for you.

Rosie

[tex]

Rosie,

I remember when he made that statement - that was great. The uproar shows how tough it is to buck the fads, though.


Polly,

Growing up on a farm, I probably developed a completely different viewpoint on grains, than most people in the general population. To me, grains are livestock feed, (because that's what we learn to do with them, on the farm). True, we learn to eat grains, also, but we recognize that we're eating livestock feed when we do so. I'll bet that most people don't view it that way. Anyway, I never could warm up to the "food pyramid" promotions for that reason. I don't mind supplementing my diet with animal feed, for a little variety, but I'm certainly not about to consider it to be a vital part of my diet, because it's not.

Yep, we always had a milk cow or two when I was young, and we did use some of the milk, (unpasteurized, of course). What do you think we did with the excess? - we fed it to the hogs, naturally. Back in those days, on the family farm, the hogs took the place of garbage disposals - they absolutely loved any household food leftovers.

Love,
Tex

[Polly]

Hi Tex,

I always enjoy your "back on the farm" stories. Actually, I think that a lot of wisdom from the past has been lost, especially when it comes to nutrition. It makes sense that grains would be fed to livestock who graze (aren't they called ruminants?). And correct me if I'm wrong, but don't cows (and maybe other animals?) have a far more complex process for digesting grasses/grains than humans do? Like several stomachs and the practice of regurgitating stomach contents a number of times in order to prolong the digestive process? I know you know a lot more about this than I. It doesn't seem that we humans are nearly as well equipped to handle grains, IMHO.

Love,

Polly

[tex]

Polly,

Yes, all the grazing animals, (herbivores), have several stomachs - cows have 4, for example, so that they can even digest cellulose. Actually, they only regurgitate it once, but that practice allows them down a lot more grass, while they're foraging, and then later, when they're lying in the shade, relaxing, (if the weather is hot, and any shade is available), they regurgitate it, a wad at a time, and chew their "cud". Grass is relatively low-nutrient feed, so it takes a heck of a lot of it, to stoke the furnace of a 12 hundred pound cow. I find it very interesting that their digestive system is sophisticated enough that it knows to regurgitate fiber of a certain length, but it does not regurgitate anything below a certain size limit. When a cow chews her cud, a lot of saliva is added, which helps subsequent digestion, and before the "chime", (the name for partially digested food, as it leaves the stomach), is passed into the gut, particle size must be reduced to less than 1 millimeter.

Pigs, on the other hand, are monogastric, (they only have a single stomach, since they're not grazing animals), and their digestive system is very similar to ours, so that most of the parts would be interchangeable, in an emergency.

Love,
Tex

[grannyh]

I loved these links! My husband is a fanatic about what he eats.. and multigrain is one of his big favorites! I have always felt a tad guilty that I don't follow his tedious diets... now I don't feel so bad..LOL
grannyh

[Gabes-Apg]

when people question my current diet (no fruit, no 'greens') and ask how can that be healthy?

i tell them that our ancestors lived pretty well and worked alot harder than our generations, on a diet that was on minimal ingredients (in some cases less than what i am having now) it was only plagues and famine post major weather type event that caused major illness in those era's

I tell them that the food triangle and what they have been brainwashed to believe about healthy nutrition may work for them, it definately does not work for people with our condition.

further to that,I remind them that i have managed my health, ie not pushing myself to breaking point and so far (touch wood) in the last 6-7 months i have not had any colds, flu or other illnesses. I have only had time off due to MC symptoms and managing fatigue due to MC.
In this time i have worked along side people who are sick and doing international travel with people that had the flu etc. so i must be doing something right!

[starfire]

Although I didn't really grow up on a farm, I am familiar with a lot of the things Tex remembers. At one time or another either we or someone in the family had chickens, hogs, rabbits, cows, etc. It brings back some good memories for me when I see posts about these things.

I did, however, grow up eating a fair amount of grain (mainly biscuits, cornbread (self rising mixture which also contains some flour). Until late in life my Dad had to have his buscuits each and every morning of his life. I'm glad I didn't fall that much in love with them. Haha

Love, Shirley