04 Oct Health Guidelines: I’m a Contrarian

Actually, I tend to be a rule follower. Tell me what I need to do, and then I can do it. There’s some comfort in knowing what’s expected of you and the people around you.

However, I throw out the rule book when it comes to health guidelines.

So many times, in fact, almost every time, I have come to learn that the opposite of the conventional health guidelines is preferred. I could speculate why. It could be profit motive, bad scientific research, inertia in updating recommendations, fear of liability, or anything at all. I don’t like to think that the powers that be want us sick and unhealthy, but sometimes I wonder.

There are some memes that have popped up.

• Ninety percent of scientists agree…with whoever’s funding them.
• A patient cured is a customer lost.
• Medical science has made such progress that there’s hardly a healthy human left.

It wasn’t easy becoming a contrarian. It happened because of the functional medicine researchers I follow. And because I studied at Functional Medicine Coaching Academy. When you take a functional approach to health, you learn how all the organs work together; the body is a system. And you support the system holistically, in a way that supports the individual. You also learn that the “pill for every ill” approach is not the best one. Sure, sometimes you need a pharmaceutical, but you don’t stop there. Health is through day to day decisions to follow healthy habits. And those healthy habits are often not what is found in conventional health guidelines.

So here are my contrarian ideas that challenge the conventional health guidelines.

Do eat meat

Most advice about the dangers of eating meat have to do with eating factory farmed meat from sick animals. They are fed an unnatural diet and pumped up with hormones and antibiotics. However, meat from grass fed pastured animals can be a healthy choice.

Vegan diets may not best support your health

Animal products have unique nutrients that your body needs. Supplementing is required to be vegan and that’s likely not adequate. People may feel better at first because vegetables may have been missing in their diet, but over time deficiencies tend to cause health problems. You might consider moving to vegetarian or pescatarian and adding eggs, dairy, or even fish.

Strength training is more important than cardio

Cardio is great except when it takes the place of strength training. You need to lift heavy things for multiple benefits to your body. Especially as we age, muscles begin wasting unless we actively pump them up. Squats or pushups, anyone?

Butter is good and canola oil is bad

Probably the worst thing to happen to the American diet is canola oil. It’s ubiquitous; it’s in almost all restaurant food and packaged food. It’s destructive to cellular health, which means it destroys our energy and creates disease. Butter from grass fed and pastured cows supports health.

Spend time in the sun, limit sunscreen

We evolved in the sun. It gives us energy. It promotes healthy sleep patterns. Plus it’s a source of vitamin D. Sunscreen tends to have toxic chemicals. So consider sensible sun exposure, without burning. Cover up when needed, and use mineral sunscreen sparingly.

Artificial sugar is worse than sugar

Artificial sweeteners tend to be toxic, are addictive, and cause weight gain. So they do the opposite of what they are marketed to do. Try honey instead–it’s a great natural food.

Don’t eat less or move more to lose weight

The quality of your food overrides the quantity. Plus, stress, sleep, and toxic exposure have a huge effect on your weight. Get healthy to lose weight.

Gluten isn’t what’s bad about wheat

Wheat is sprayed with glyphosate, which is toxic. Also, wheat molecules are large and difficult to digest. Gluten can be a problem for some, but for many it’s actually the chemicals causing problems. So try organic wheat, and sprouted grain is even better.

Fluoride is dangerous

Fluoride is a neurotoxin. It was originally industrial waste that clever marketers said should be sold to municipalities to put in the water supply. I think there must be better ways to protect teeth.

Choose raw milk or milk alternatives

You may try to avoid processed food, but milk that is pasteurized and homogenized is highly processed. Raw milk is alive with enzymes and is often a safe and healthful choice.

It’s not your genetics

People have been convinced that genetics cause disease, but it’s actually a small part of why we get sick. Your daily healthful habits are much more likely to determine your risk for chronic disease.

Whole grains are not worth it

Whole grains may have more nutrients than refined grains, but they also contain more lectins. Lectins are anti-nutrients that are difficult to digest. They are in all plants to discourage anything from eating them. They should discourage us too. There are easier ways to get fiber and nutrients, as in, eat your vegetables.

Nutrition labels are not helpful

If a food needs a label to tell you it’s healthy, it’s probably not. The healthiest foods have no labels–ever see one on a carrot? The labels de-emphasize the most important issue–how many chemicals are in this food. They put that in tiny print that no one over 40 can read. Eat whole food that doesn’t come in a box or can.

Don’t avoid salt

Actually, do avoid sodium. Foods high in sodium are also highly processed. Those foods will not support health. Best idea is to cook your own food because the salt you add will likely be within safe amounts.

There you have it. Do the opposite of almost every health guideline you’ve ever been given. This is a synopsis of healthy living, in a way. I can sum it up even tighter: Just eat real food. All this may sound daunting. So let me help you ease into healthy habits. Health coaches say “small hinges swing large doors” which means that tiny steps will make a big difference. So we’ll find easy and tiny steps that resonate with you. Contact me and let’s talk.

Comments: Are you a contrarian too?

Chris Kresser Red Meat

Pub Med Impact of a Vegan Diet

Dr. Steven Gundry: The Plant Paradox

Weston A. Price Raw Milk

National Toxicology Program Flouride is Neurotoxic

Cleveland Clinic Seed Oils

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