This week I read yet more research confirming how we judge the world based on our first impression. It’s been called the anchor point or the impression fallacy. It made me stop and evaluate how do I decide ‘what I believe’? Whose information should I trust? And where is it best to trust in something I don’t yet fully understand nor see the instant evidence of its efficacy? When can what I believe change and what is that criteria? Is it the same for every area of my life or are there holy cows I am no longer open minded about?
If my change in diet has taught me anything, it is that people now treat discussions about diet the way my mother treated discussions of sex when I was growing up, TABOO, in every way! Religion and sex are now perfectly polite conversation, but please don’t tell me what I am eating isn’t good for me. What I eat is private!! And yet, second to our beliefs in God and healthy relationships, what we eat might be the most important decision we ever make. But just because I believe the experts I chose to listen to, doesn’t mean you share my trust in their scientific principles. So, once again, we are left to faith. Faith that if we change our diet, even if I cannot prove cause and effect beyond a shadow of a doubt, at some point I trust it will improve our health.
As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I am on a mission to find dietary changes that will slow down bone loss and help rebuild healthy bones. There is no silver bullet and the literature is light on the subject as is the research. But I did find some helpful nuggets that I am implementing as I approach the winter of my days. They include steps that would benefit young and old, so I hope you find them helpful.
First, dairy is a no. It doesn’t build bones and in fact research studies indicate milk drinkers have a higher incidence of bone fractures as older adults. Trade out that glass of dairy milk for soy and you might have a winner. Instead of cheese, how about a piece of fruit. The research says free radicals lead to excessive bone breakdown and the antioxidants found in fruit may help in mitigating bone loss. In fact, there is reason to think that eating lots of fruit in childhood may protect bones throughout life.
In one of Dr. Greger’s videos he talks about a study that found after consuming prunes a group of postmenopausal women had significant elevations in enzyme markers for bone formation. And I thought prunes were just good for bowel movements! In yet another video, Dr. Greger mentions the evidence suggesting eating a handful of almonds every day showed direct evidence to support the association between regular almond consumption and a reduced risk of developing osteoporosis. So maybe he is on to something suggesting a daily handful of almonds and prunes. One to prevent bone loss and the other to upregulate the bone building cells.
I’ve decided I have nothing to lose and everything to gain. So, I’m adding this healthy snack to my diet. It also helps that he mentions no weight gain was observed in the women following this protocol. It seems if you have those healthy fats as a snack, you tend to eat less later in the day when every calorie is more likely to contribute to unwanted weight gain. Aren’t you glad I didn’t discuss religion or sex?
“We live by faith, not by what we see with our eyes.” (2 Corinthians 5:7 – TPT)
“If our ultimate goal is to sustain a specific self-care behavior like physical activity across our lifetime, we need to understand our beliefs about that behavior, what it symbolizes to us, and especially how it contributes to the outcomes we want from it.” (Michelle Segar, Ph.D. – No Sweat)
“We can break out of the habits that tell us to conform and stay put, and say No to the lies of industries that profit from our pain.” (John Robbins – The Food Revolution)
Yours for a Joyful Journey,
Joyice
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