Comments on: An opportunity for the law of unintended consequences to rear its head http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/uncategorized/an-opportunity-for-the-law-of-unintended-consequences-to-rear-its-head/ A critical look at nutritional science and anything else that strikes my fancy. Sun, 14 Mar 2010 15:11:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Doug http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/uncategorized/an-opportunity-for-the-law-of-unintended-consequences-to-rear-its-head/#comment-662 Doug Sun, 27 Aug 2006 10:30:21 +0000 http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike_blog/?p=270#comment-662 This is a fantastic blog. Nevertheless, I have to take issue with your characterization that spraying viruses on luncheon meat is an example of "our government at work." There are presently 65 lobbyists per legislator in Washington. There is a revolving door between the FDA and the pharmaceuticals. Were our government a human being, it would be a very sick one, suffering from a variety of infections, co-infections, various cancers, and a few psychological disorders. Most of this is a result of a horrible diet, consisting of massive amounts of corporate carbs, and very little of the people's protein. It doesn't have to be this way. Plenty of countries have decent, responsive governments. We could, too (in fact, we have in the past). I highly doubt the Swedes will be spraying viruses on their meat any time soon. Doug Hi Doug-- I agree with most of what you write. I wouldn't use Sweden, however, as an example of a country that operates perfectly. It may operate perfectly for Swedes, but we're not Swedes, I don't really think it would work here. Not enough homogeneity amongst the populace. Best-- MRE This is a fantastic blog. Nevertheless, I have to take issue with your characterization that spraying viruses on luncheon meat is an example of “our government at work.” There are presently 65 lobbyists per legislator in Washington. There is a revolving door between the FDA and the pharmaceuticals. Were our government a human being, it would be a very sick one, suffering from a variety of infections, co-infections, various cancers, and a few psychological disorders. Most of this is a result of a horrible diet, consisting of massive amounts of corporate carbs, and very little of the people’s protein. It doesn’t have to be this way. Plenty of countries have decent, responsive governments. We could, too (in fact, we have in the past). I highly doubt the Swedes will be spraying viruses on their meat any time soon.

Doug

Hi Doug–

I agree with most of what you write. I wouldn’t use Sweden, however, as an example of a country that operates perfectly. It may operate perfectly for Swedes, but we’re not Swedes, I don’t really think it would work here. Not enough homogeneity amongst the populace.

Best–

MRE

]]> By: A.R. http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/uncategorized/an-opportunity-for-the-law-of-unintended-consequences-to-rear-its-head/#comment-661 A.R. Thu, 24 Aug 2006 21:25:49 +0000 http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike_blog/?p=270#comment-661 The general public is so complacent about how food is processed that I am beginning to think people will happily comply if the FDA decides to start infusing beef with cow dung to ward off mad cow disease! Man, I hope I didn't just give "them" any ideas... Hi A.R.-- I agree. But, it is hoped, not the readers of this blog. Cheers-- MRE The general public is so complacent about how food is processed that I am beginning to think people will happily comply if the FDA decides to start infusing beef with cow dung to ward off mad cow disease! Man, I hope I didn’t just give “them” any ideas…

Hi A.R.–

I agree. But, it is hoped, not the readers of this blog.

Cheers–

MRE

]]> By: Esther Hoff http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/uncategorized/an-opportunity-for-the-law-of-unintended-consequences-to-rear-its-head/#comment-660 Esther Hoff Tue, 22 Aug 2006 17:20:46 +0000 http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike_blog/?p=270#comment-660 Oh dear lord, what will they think of next? This is scary stuff, indeed. Thank goodness I'm not a fan of lunch meats. "The only reason I can imagine that CSPI would have anything positive to say about this situation is that they think it will somehow keep people from eating meat." I think that you've hit the nail on the head with that one. And to think at one time I was a follower of CSPI. Thank goodness for that brain transplant that I eventually got... Hi Esther-- We've all had our own brain transplants somewhere along the way. Cheers-- MRE Oh dear lord, what will they think of next? This is scary stuff, indeed. Thank goodness I’m not a fan of lunch meats.

“The only reason I can imagine that CSPI would have anything positive to say about this situation is that they think it will somehow keep people from eating meat.”

I think that you’ve hit the nail on the head with that one. And to think at one time I was a follower of CSPI. Thank goodness for that brain transplant that I eventually got…

Hi Esther–

We’ve all had our own brain transplants somewhere along the way.

Cheers–

MRE

]]> By: Rob http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/uncategorized/an-opportunity-for-the-law-of-unintended-consequences-to-rear-its-head/#comment-659 Rob Mon, 21 Aug 2006 21:03:58 +0000 http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike_blog/?p=270#comment-659 Dr. Eades, The Bear is Owsley Stanley. He read Stefansson's book in 1958 and has been on an all meat diet for 47 years. I'm not sure if this is the right place for links, but if you look at my blog, then look for the Zero Carb Path page (based on emails from Bear). I have links to Bear's essay on diet and exercise in my links. -Rob Thanks Rob. I'll take a look. MRE Dr. Eades,

The Bear is Owsley Stanley. He read Stefansson’s book in 1958 and has been on an all meat diet for 47 years. I’m not sure if this is the right place for links, but if you look at my blog, then look for the Zero Carb Path page (based on emails from Bear). I have links to Bear’s essay on diet and exercise in my links.

-Rob

Thanks Rob. I’ll take a look.

MRE

]]> By: David LaCivita http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/uncategorized/an-opportunity-for-the-law-of-unintended-consequences-to-rear-its-head/#comment-658 David LaCivita Mon, 21 Aug 2006 17:36:18 +0000 http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike_blog/?p=270#comment-658 This goes beyond scary. 2500 people get sick by eating poorly handled Oscar Myer bologna and this is the solution? Luckily I get my luncheon meats cut fresh at the deli, but I gotta admit Canada is starting to look mighty appealing. Hi David-- From now on I'll get all mine at the deli. I don't know if Canada is any better. Cheers-- MRE This goes beyond scary. 2500 people get sick by eating poorly handled Oscar Myer bologna and this is the solution? Luckily I get my luncheon meats cut fresh at the deli, but I gotta admit Canada is starting to look mighty appealing.

Hi David–

From now on I’ll get all mine at the deli. I don’t know if Canada is any better.

Cheers–

MRE

]]> By: Rob http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/uncategorized/an-opportunity-for-the-law-of-unintended-consequences-to-rear-its-head/#comment-657 Rob Mon, 21 Aug 2006 15:32:41 +0000 http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike_blog/?p=270#comment-657 Dr. Eades, I really enjoy your site. Lots of great details and information. I actually did a more Protein Power based diet originally in 1998. Since restarting 6 months ago I'm on the Stefansson/Bear path this time. Well, just another reason to avoid processed meats to be honest with you. While it may be popular on some low-carb diets, one should really avoid processed lunch meats if one can help it. Not only is the quality of the meat used in question but the meat itself is usually LOADED with sodium. Extra sodium should be avoided at all costs, it's a chemical poison. If you're looking for a quick snack to have around buy a food dehydrator and make your own jerky. Hi Rob-- I'm well acquainted with Stefansson, but who is bear? Sodium may be a chemical poison to some, but not really according to the medical literature. There are a tiny group of people who have salt-sensitive high blood pressure, but not many. Other than those few, a little sodium here and there isn't a problem in my opinion. I certainly wouldn't go so far as to say it is a poison. At any give time we've got about two teaspoons of sodium circulating in our blood--if that level drops in our blood, we can get into electrolyte balance problems. If we over consume occasionally, the kidneys deal with it easily. That's their job. We can't really make sodium if we don't get enough, but, unlike iron, we can get rid of it if we get too much. Best-- MRE Dr. Eades,

I really enjoy your site. Lots of great details and information. I actually did a more Protein Power based diet originally in 1998. Since restarting 6 months ago I’m on the Stefansson/Bear path this time.

Well, just another reason to avoid processed meats to be honest with you. While it may be popular on some low-carb diets, one should really avoid processed lunch meats if one can help it. Not only is the quality of the meat used in question but the meat itself is usually LOADED with sodium. Extra sodium should be avoided at all costs, it’s a chemical poison.

If you’re looking for a quick snack to have around buy a food dehydrator and make your own jerky.

Hi Rob–

I’m well acquainted with Stefansson, but who is bear?

Sodium may be a chemical poison to some, but not really according to the medical literature. There are a tiny group of people who have salt-sensitive high blood pressure, but not many. Other than those few, a little sodium here and there isn’t a problem in my opinion. I certainly wouldn’t go so far as to say it is a poison.

At any give time we’ve got about two teaspoons of sodium circulating in our blood–if that level drops in our blood, we can get into electrolyte balance problems. If we over consume occasionally, the kidneys deal with it easily. That’s their job. We can’t really make sodium if we don’t get enough, but, unlike iron, we can get rid of it if we get too much.

Best–

MRE

]]> By: KArl Griffin http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/uncategorized/an-opportunity-for-the-law-of-unintended-consequences-to-rear-its-head/#comment-656 KArl Griffin Mon, 21 Aug 2006 12:30:43 +0000 http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike_blog/?p=270#comment-656 Hello, This is the biotech industry's most recent "contribution". The FCA just rubber stamped it, as that is their "job". At least we are aware of it. Maybe if we just insisted on mostly locally grown food, (those of us that can still do that) it might send a message to biotech companies and corporate agribusiness. I've seen a few meat packing plants and chicken "factories" and I won't consume anything that comes from them. I'm a big fan of science and technology, but this stuff hasn't been explained to us well enough yet. Griff Hi Griff-- We're aware of it only in the sense that we read it was going to happen. What we won't know because there will be no requirement that any of the food processors have to label their products as having been sprayed with the viral mixture. That's what worries me. Best-- MRE Hello,
This is the biotech industry’s most recent “contribution”. The FCA just rubber stamped it, as that is their “job”. At least we are aware of it. Maybe if we just insisted on mostly locally grown food, (those of us that can still do that) it might send a message to biotech companies and corporate agribusiness. I’ve seen a few meat packing plants and chicken “factories” and I won’t consume anything that comes from them. I’m a big fan of science and technology, but this stuff hasn’t been explained to us well enough yet.
Griff

Hi Griff–

We’re aware of it only in the sense that we read it was going to happen. What we won’t know because there will be no requirement that any of the food processors have to label their products as having been sprayed with the viral mixture. That’s what worries me.

Best–

MRE

]]> By: Victoria http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/uncategorized/an-opportunity-for-the-law-of-unintended-consequences-to-rear-its-head/#comment-655 Victoria Mon, 21 Aug 2006 02:22:26 +0000 http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike_blog/?p=270#comment-655 I read about this on Jimmy Moore's blog earlier. It is kinda scary. I seriously need to see if I can find the money to buy more organic stuff from Whole Foods or something. Yikes. I read about this on Jimmy Moore’s blog earlier. It is kinda scary. I seriously need to see if I can find the money to buy more organic stuff from Whole Foods or something. Yikes.

]]> By: James Hickman http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/uncategorized/an-opportunity-for-the-law-of-unintended-consequences-to-rear-its-head/#comment-654 James Hickman Mon, 21 Aug 2006 00:47:22 +0000 http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike_blog/?p=270#comment-654 Trouble, oh we got trouble, right here in River City, that starts with T and that rhymes with V and that stands for Virus -- on my ham and baby swiss lunch wraps no less. I guess I'll have to circumvent those FDA sumbitches by shooting, gutting, and slicing up the feral hogs that are frequenting my neck of the woods. If I take down a few big ones I'll be sure to share my homemade lunch meat with all the pregnant women, newborn babies, and immunosuppressed folks of River City. James-- I know that those neonates in River City are looking forward to their feral-hog lunchmeat. What a guy you are for providing. Cheers-- MRE Trouble, oh we got trouble, right here in River City, that starts with T and that rhymes with V and that stands for Virus — on my ham and baby swiss lunch wraps no less. I guess I’ll have to circumvent those FDA sumbitches by shooting, gutting, and slicing up the feral hogs that are frequenting my neck of the woods. If I take down a few big ones I’ll be sure to share my homemade lunch meat with all the pregnant women, newborn babies, and immunosuppressed folks of River City.

James–

I know that those neonates in River City are looking forward to their feral-hog lunchmeat. What a guy you are for providing.

Cheers–

MRE

]]> By: Nancy M. http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/uncategorized/an-opportunity-for-the-law-of-unintended-consequences-to-rear-its-head/#comment-653 Nancy M. Sun, 20 Aug 2006 18:23:01 +0000 http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike_blog/?p=270#comment-653 Every gets upset over viruses but if we called them http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacteriophage Bacteriophages and realized we already eat them, already have them living inside us, swim in them and have lived happily with them for probably millions of years... wouldn't make quite the sensationalistic headlines. Hi Nancy-- Bacteriophage is just another name for a virus that attacks a bacteria. It's true that we live with them, swim with them, etc., but those viruses are in equilibrium with their surroundings and not likely to cause problems. I'm not sure that I want viruses grown in a slurry of the very bacteria that makes people violently ill sprayed on my meat. All it takes is a little slip up in the purification process and what gets sprayed on the meat is the virus mixture along with a whole lot of virulent bacteria. I hope it never happens. MRE Every gets upset over viruses but if we called them http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacteriophage Bacteriophages and realized we already eat them, already have them living inside us, swim in them and have lived happily with them for probably millions of years… wouldn’t make quite the sensationalistic headlines.

Hi Nancy–

Bacteriophage is just another name for a virus that attacks a bacteria. It’s true that we live with them, swim with them, etc., but those viruses are in equilibrium with their surroundings and not likely to cause problems. I’m not sure that I want viruses grown in a slurry of the very bacteria that makes people violently ill sprayed on my meat. All it takes is a little slip up in the purification process and what gets sprayed on the meat is the virus mixture along with a whole lot of virulent bacteria.

I hope it never happens.

MRE

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