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Breakthroughs Are Exploding -- How Do You Keep Up?


We are getting more and more of everything faster and faster. Did you know that in the United States alone there are 3,000 books published -- EVERY day?

And, a week's worth of NY Times has more information than a person in the 18th century was likely to come across in their LIFETIME.

But Wait, it is Getting Worse

This year we will generate 1.5 exabytes worldwide. 1,000 gigabytes is a terabyte, and those drives are just coming out. 1,000 terabytes is a petabyte and 10,000 petabytes is an exabyte. So that is 1.5 million petabytes.  Interestingly I wrote an article on petabyte drives over four years ago, when no on knew about them, that even today, is number one on Google for the term "petabyte drive"

That is more than in the previous 5,000 years combined.

Information is doubling every two years. When you go to technical school half of what you learn will be outdated by the third year of study.

RSS Feeds -- Your Key to Keeping Up to Date

RSS is an abbreviation of Real Simple Syndication and is a really neat way to have many Web sites give you content. I LOVE these feeds as they allow me to collect -- in ONE place -- about two dozen sites that I regularly visit and go through about 5,000 articles every week.

We post about 15 newsletter stories a week on the site but go through well over 5,000 articles to find those for you. We do the heavy lifting for you and screen thousands of articles every week so you don't have to stay current. And, better yet, I provide my perspective that helps you sift through much of the deception that is typically present in many of the stories.

I have been using these feeds for over five years, but this year they have started to catch on because the new versions of Explorer and Firefox allow you to subscribe to them. I don't use these but rather a stand-alone application, as I find it much easier to use. SharpReader is the RSS news aggregator I use, and you can download it for free on their site.

Once you are set up to receive your feeds there are tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of different feeds you can subscribe to. Search Engine Watch is a fantastic Web site and they did a recent review on different places you can find these feeds.

Of course, Mercola.com has its own RSS feed, and you can simply subscribe by clicking on the button you see below.

How I Started the Site

For the first three years of the site I did not sell anything, but after I had donated $500,000 of my own money to the mission I realized it could not go on much longer without some type of funding.

So I started to sell items to subsidize the mission. However, I only sold items that I would personally use and that provided extraordinary value.

Many may not realize that 10 percent of ALL our profits every year are donated to a non-profit foundation that is designed to facilitate the transformation of the entire health care system that is killing hundreds of thousands of people every year in the United States alone.

By supporting our site and referring it to your friends and relatives you are a major part of the process of changing this seriously flawed model.





 
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Comment on This Article Community Comments (69)
 
 
Posted On Apr 23, 2007
 

What I liked most about this article was where you listed, ”How I Started This Site”

What an investment! But even better is what you are continually investing in!!! (a non-profit foundation that is designed to facilitate the transformation of the entire health care system that is killing hundreds of thousands of people every year in the United States alone.)

We can change the face of medicine with people like you, Doc!

Thank you, Dr. Mercola, from the bottom of my heart and may God richly bless and protect you!


And by the way, It can be done if we don’t blow it, folks!

I think one of the biggest obstacles is in much of “Alternative Medicine” itself.

The biggest problem is we have to get the “New Age” and “Mysticism” garbage out of the picture. It’s killing us! (We have also got to come up with an alternative for the word “Alternative”!)

Doctors like Deepak Chopra and so many others that just can’t leave the “New Age” thing out of the picture are only hurting things. Logic will win the masses over always!

Doctors like Andrew Weil are beginning to finally cut out the “Mysticism Thing” and they are getting big results!

Dr. Joseph Mercola has never even promoted the New Age Mysticism stuff and he is making milestones in changing the face of medicine every day!

Please keep up this wonderful work, and again Thank you!


 
The Herb Doc
Apprentice User Apprentice User, Joined On 11/2006
The Herb Doc  
Replied

Pamela Hawk
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 1/2007
Pamela Hawk  
 
Posted On Apr 24, 2007
I, too, for some time have found myself resisting the term, "alternative" medicine. How about "ORIGINAL" medicine? Or "NATURAL" medicine? It's the real thing. What's more natural than organically-grown food, organically-grown and processed herbs - tinctures, creams, etc.? Naturally grown, based in common-sense, healing ourselves with diet and food-based medicines. LONG LIVE ORIGINAL MEDICINE!!! 


Pamela Hawk
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 1/2007
Pamela Hawk  
 
Posted On Apr 24, 2007
I, too, for some time have found myself resisting the term, "alternative" medicine. How about "ORIGINAL" medicine? Or "NATURAL" medicine? It's the real thing. What's more natural than organically-grown food, organically-grown and processed herbs - tinctures, creams, etc.? Naturally grown, based in common-sense, healing ourselves with diet and food-based medicines. LONG LIVE ORIGINAL MEDICINE!!! 


Witch Doctor
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 9/2006
Witch Doctor  
 
Posted On Apr 24, 2007
Dr. Gussa - very interesting comments.

Pamela Hawk - I like "Original Medicine".  Natural Medicine is fine, too.  That reminds me - have you seen the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database?  It's worth a look-see.


oscar
Novice User Novice User Joined On 2/2007
oscar  
 
Posted On Apr 24, 2007
Deepak Chopra and others, when they comment upon alternative health or other methods, are merely referring to observations which are not yet able to be explained by conventional theories. 

Once upon the time the world was flat. It was new technology which demonstrated that the world was actually round and new technologies which have revolutionised our world. We have steam power, petrolpower, nuclear power, electricity, computers, etc. In medicine there has not been any truly great revolution in our understanding of how the body works.  Penicillin and antibiotics led to the current biomedical approach but most research has been based upon determining its anatomical structure and the related biochemical sequences. People like Candace Pert have realised that the body functions by a complex biofeedback loop of communication with its environment.

The Russian researcher Grakov has developed the first commercialised technology Virtual Scanning which is based upon cognition/visual perception. This technology has both diagnostic and therapeutic capability. Russian researchers claim that it is c25% more accurate than conventional diagnostic technologies and 93% effective as a therapy.  In simple terms it is based upon colour therapy but appears to be more effective than any other technology developed to date. Dr Grakov has understood how visual perception is related to the physiological systems and how they are regulated by the brain waves. 



sucram
Novice User Novice User Joined On 3/2007
sucram  
 
Posted On Apr 24, 2007
What exactly do you mean by mysticism? You seem to be implying that certain forms of alternative medicine which have spiritual qualities and associations are invalid.
The whole "mysticism" association as you put it is largely tied up in the chinese dominated concept of energy medicine and westerners misunderstanding of the concepts. In actual fact a great deal of recent (relatively speaking) scientific findings support the ancient tenets of chinese energy medicine, most impressively the discovery that sub-atomic atoms are not the smallest common denominator in matter, that they can in fact be broken down into energy. The scientific literature proves that all matter, dead and living is nothing more than different patterns and combinations of energy that are interchangeable over vast distances. This is how taoist masters are able to effect a healing response from patients over vast distances by mind alone, it is also the principle behind why prayer works (sending positive energy to a recipient via the frequencies emitted through thought).


susieok
Novice User Novice User Joined On 4/2007
susieok  
 
Posted On Apr 24, 2007
I totally agree with you "Alternative Medicine" is a terrible name for what should be everyones right and choice. Our bodies ability to heal itself given the right set of circumstances.
Perhaps we could start referring to it as " natural healing- through nutrition or homeopathy or herbs" or whichever medium you choose
susieok


ukbelle
Novice User Novice User Joined On 4/2007
ukbelle  
 
Posted On Apr 24, 2007
Very well said Dr. In my family we have been using "natural" therapies and medicines since 1964 and I know that they have been invaluable in promoting and maintaining our health. Dr Mercola uses the word "traditional" instead of "alternative". I think that is a very good name for it! After all, herbs, homoeopathy, acupuncture,etc, go back a long way. They were used before the pharmaceutical companies got on the band wagon with their unbalanced (and poisonous)pills and potions and their misleading(false)ads. Unfortunately,it seems that the big $ sign has obscured the Hypocratic Oath and any idea of integrity and honesty towards the patient. Many doctors forget what they are there for. Also, it appears that doctors are being brainwashed during their traning. So sadly, they only know what is being taught until they have he guts and time to look outside their box.


harleygirl
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 12/2006
harleygirl  
 
Posted On Apr 24, 2007
I completely agree with EVERYTHING Dr. Mercola is doing here.  What a Godsend.  However, does anyone have any comments/opinions on this FDA Codex issue?  If you haven't heard, the FDA is trying to make it where only licensed medical doctors can talk to you about, or sell, vitamins, herbs, holy water, whatever can be construed as performing "medicine" or healing.  If you haven't heard about this, then please check out the link at http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/healthfreedomusa/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=7185 and follow the instructions at the bottom of the page.  If you care enought to take the 5 minutes or so, we only have till April 30th to send a comment, then the lines close.  The only way we can fight this, and make a point, is to barrage them.  Thanks for letting me rant!  Christi


Dr. Matthew J. Loop
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 6/2006
Dr. Matthew J. Loop  
 
Posted On Apr 24, 2007
Response to Dr. Gussa's comment:

You were right on point until you made the uneducated remark about the "New Age and Mysticism garbage." I'm reminded of a quote by Plato which states, "The greatest mistake in the treatment of diseases is that there are physicians for the body and physicians for the soul, although the two cannot be separated."

If you do your homework you will find out the Deepak Choprah and his "New Age" views are anything but new! He, like some people, are very inquistive and understand that science is a way to explain the creative hand in the universe. It is well understood that we are so much more than what we appear to be on the surface, as mystics have taught for thousands of years (predating ancient texts). I recommend researching ancient Egypt and Alexandria. Many great teachers went to this land to study. I'm sure you're familiar with all of them including Jesus. That's why we have "holistic" practitioners like myself and Dr. Mercola. Our physical senses do not tell use the whole story and have a tendency to mislead us. Train tracks look like they meet in the distance, but do they really? A dog whistle appears to have no sound, but the dog is able to hear it, right? I could go on....

In today's time, "New Age" is a classification to confuse the masses even futher... Just as a side note, logic winning the masses over is utterly riduculous! Historically, the masses are consistently wrong and are told how to think and percieve on a daily basis! The masses don't think and question enough! Edward Bernay's proved this time and time again! That's why they are the masses, traditionally lack enlightenment and are easily lead. The "ignorance is bliss" mentality is for fools!


The Herb Doc
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 11/2006
The Herb Doc  
 
Posted On Apr 24, 2007
 

To all of you that question about why I am saying keep the “mysticism” stuff out, please understand I am not saying it is or is not valid!

I am saying that we must be wise on how we present any of our medicine so as not to give the “allopathics” and “every day voters” and “general politics” an edge that they can use against us, that’s all!

We have to be wise as serpents!



GinaVoce25
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 12/2006
GinaVoce25  
 
Posted On Apr 24, 2007
I agree with both Dr. Loop and Dr. Gussa -- No, we can't separate soul/mind from body ("mysticism" from "science"). However, I think the great majority of people don't care to listen to Natural/Alternative Medicine because they have a stereotypical view of it as wishy-washy, earth-mother, granola, hippy, witchy-poo, etc. And we've been taught to think this way, very successfully! If it doesn't come from someone wearing a white lab coat, it must be false.

But the pendulum is a-swingin' folks! We have to believe this! And in order for us to further this way of thinking, we have to convince people the right way -- with proof. We DON'T have to eliminate or ignore the spiritual, mystical, magical side of nutrition and healing in order for people to listen up, nor should we. But when we focus too much on it that just ends up preaching to the choir. We need to find a way to appeal or "market" to the "masses" similar to allopathic medicine. And Dr. Mercola is one way to do just that. He's a very educated, normal-looking man, who knows what he's talking about and he has many stories of health and healing through proper nutrition and listening to one's body.
So keep telling everyone about this site. It's working!

Gina



Lukane
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 4/2007
Lukane  
 
Posted On Apr 24, 2007
 Christ-like.   Superstition aside one of the main factions that got Jesus executed were the healer-priests who plotted against him for cutting into their business.   Perhaps he practised forbidden holistic medicine and ban herbal cures. Saliva>clay>chromatography>antibodies>cured blindman. We can't go by go by an "Organic so it must be good" delusion anymore than "Better living through chemistry".  This free exchange of benevolent Knowledge will save the world if we not cut off or sabotaged with spam.
Great work Doc.


Gene C Weber D.C.
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 6/2006
Gene C Weber D.C.  
 
Posted On Apr 24, 2007
Great comment Dr. Gussa.  I have to agree with you on all accounts.  Dr. Mercola is doing a great job of getting the right words out to the masses.  It does take time, money and a compassion for what is right that makes it work.  On a side note, in our office when patients ask us what is meant by "alternative" medicine, I tell them that after trying all of the worthless drugs, cutting, burning, etc.  that their only "alternative" is to get better by natural means.  


Witch Doctor
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 9/2006
Witch Doctor  
 
Posted On Apr 24, 2007
susieok - after reading you, i now think maybe "Traditional Medicine" because it reflects 100 million years (okay I'm exaggerating but who knows?) of medical education. 


Cas_203
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 10/2006
Cas_203  
 
Posted On Apr 24, 2007
I agree that there needs to be a different term for "alternative". I was just telling someone a few days ago how I don't understand why natural healing is reffered to as the alternative medicine, when Western (synthetic/chemical) medicine is the newest form of medicine and is more "alternative" than that which was put here by our creator.


Witch Doctor
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 9/2006
Witch Doctor  
 
Posted On Apr 24, 2007
As far as Plato goes, a "physician for the soul" feeds the soul with human qualities, such as compassion and support- he doesn't feed it with made up bullsh*t.
The trouble with new age is that it is far more likely to be BS than that which can be logically explained, and many people love to be (mis)led down the primrose path.  New age appeals to the most gullible, or desperate, as well as to many controlling types.  I have a 90% BS rule about what I learn in any circles, but new age is 99.9%.  It's a personality cult.  Most new age "experiences" can be rationally explained, though:
1. Drug influence.
2. Factual memory replaced with a fantasized version over time.
3. Significance lent to insignificant occurrences.
4. Coincidence of totally random events (there are so many events in life that sooner or later coincidences happen).
3. People who want to believe this stuff.
4. People who make a living out of it.
5. People who make it up to be popular.
6. People with an agenda ("save the planet") who make it up, and eventually start believing their own BS.
7. ...

If I believe something like: "my thoughts go out to the universe and the universe responds in kind...", I can be made to believe anything.  It's not a higher order of thinking, it's eagerness to believe that which makes one feel more secure, or makes one feel elevated over more objective (smarter) people.  It's a personality cult.  Just my opinion.

Just my opinion.


The Herb Doc
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 11/2006
The Herb Doc  
 
Posted On Apr 24, 2007
Duane!

Thank you! That "New Age" explation was put so well I can't stand it!!!


sucram
Novice User Novice User Joined On 3/2007
sucram  
 
Posted On Apr 25, 2007
Duanne, I take it you don't "beleive" in chinese energy medicine?


Pat Ormsby
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 6/2006
Pat Ormsby  
 
Posted On Apr 25, 2007
I like the idea of calling it "traditional medicine" if the term "alternative" puts some people off. The mystical folks will be open-minded enough to keep participating. In these rough waters, folks, we need to keep the ship together! I really dislike some of the attacks on other people's religious beliefs I've seen above and below, but I think the people attacked are good at forgiving.


Witch Doctor
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 9/2006
Witch Doctor  
 
Posted On Apr 25, 2007
sucram - I don't disbelieve in Chinese Energy medicine.  What is it?  Thanks.  Duane


Witch Doctor
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 9/2006
Witch Doctor  
 
Posted On Apr 26, 2007
sucram - thank you.  Everything I write is my best way of thinking about it, but still hope someone will make it better or show me I might be wrong.   You said - "But don't be so quick to judge these so called "new age" ideas... some of them are as old as civilization, tried and proven... some people understand intuitively what others cannot grasp intellectually, ...they are merely more attuned to their feelings."

The ones that are as "old as civilization" I am interested in.  I don't know what priority to give them vs. everything else I want to learn - albeit my list is dominated by things I can grasp intellectually, and I'm way light on the intuitive topics.

The last sentence confuses me - do you mean "feelings" like woo-woo, or something one can get a handle on, like a premonition?  I'm not a big fan of using my feelings to guide me, but the other way around.

Chi goes right for the throat of my argument.  Why does chi need to flow from the universe?  Is it God?  Why can't it just reside wholly inside us?  If you talked about meridians (I have to go back and review what Dr. Gussa said),  I might say okay, we have "circuits" Western medicine is not aware of.  But how can I know this connection to the universe is not purely a perceptual illusion?  (I realize I sound like a skeptic or atheist challenging a theist.)

Good luck in trying to wake up my intuitive side!


The Herb Doc
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 11/2006
The Herb Doc  
 
Posted On Apr 26, 2007
 DUANE:

Here is why I don't think Chi is just typical "Universe /B.S. Fluf-Stuff" (Which I hate as much as you)

 As a Christian, to me, qi is just the flow of God’s creative energy living within us and all He created. Actually the Chinese have a somewhat similar view when you think about it:

Qi or Chi (pronounced chee) is a difficult concept to translate. It’s usually left un-translated because there is no single English word that conveys all parts of the Chinese concept. The word that comes closest is energy. The origins of both are tied to their cultures’ creation theories.

Neither Qi nor energy can be destroyed, only changed in their forms. Everything is composed of Qi; our bodies, the earth, water, sound, light. The Nei Jing - The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine (c.500BC) says “There is no place that Qi is not.”

Qi flows throughout the body in currents or conduits called channels or meridians or in Chinese; jing luo. There are fourteen main channels and these possess the most commonly used acupuncture points. Twelve of these channels connect to a yin or yang organ from which they derive their name.

For example, the Wood Element yin organ is the liver. The liver channel runs from the foot up the inside of the leg, along the center of one-half of the abdomen and goes inside below the sixth rib. Inside it connects to the liver and the gallbladder, goes up through the diaphragm, up to the throat, then the eyes and terminates at the vertex of the skull. There are two branches from the liver channel. One which connects to the inside of the lips and one which connects with the lung.



sucram
Novice User Novice User Joined On 3/2007
sucram  
 
Posted On Apr 26, 2007
Duanne, thankyou for your questions. Feelings is an easily misinterpreted word because of its association with emotions. Firstly let me state categorically feelings are NOT the same as emotions. In chinese medicine emotions such as anger, fear, anxiety or joy are merely errant energy forces roaming unchecked through our body and can have disastrous effects to our health if left unchecked. Feelings on the other hand refer to the little understood cognitive functions associated with intuition, instinct, spontaneous insight and other creative faculties. Higher practices of chi gung gradually awaken these mostly dormant faculties, which are often supressed by the interminable loud and self assertive chatter of the intellect/mind or "ego".
To answer your other question, chi exists everywhere, in our cells, in the air, it pervades the entire universe. The reason chi is said to "flow from the universe" is because when working with chi gung one has to establish a state of positive bio-feedback with higher energy forces in the universe and thus draw on their limitless power. The universe is in perfect harmony, man is the only discord. Because forces in nature and the cosmos are more powerful then we are, it makes much more sense to "tap into" these potent energy fields. In this way the more powerful energy fields in nature are aligned with ones own person energy field and their energy patterns are imprinted over ours. This is scientifically consistent because a stronger energy field (magnetic field, radation field etc) will always overide a weaker energy field.
In taoist thought God is just the name given to the original creative power force in the universe who "gave birth to yin and yang" which perpetuated the every growing dynamic of the universe and gave form to all things. Much like the "big bang" in western thought.


Sharon11
Novice User Novice User Joined On 6/2006
Sharon11  
 
Posted On Apr 27, 2007
I love you Dr. M!!  My hero in the opposition to nonthinking medical drug use!!  I support your site as I have for several years now, and will continue to do so, and to recommend you to everyone I know!!  -- ("I know, I know, read Dr. Mercola")  I believe medicine is changeing, and I do believe alternative medicine DOES make difference -- energy forms of treatment are becoming more used and they also work.  Different frame of reference, just like Ayurvedic  and Chinese medicine are based on a different frame of reference.  Viva la difference!


Cindy Magnuson
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 10/2006
Cindy Magnuson  
 
Posted On May 24, 2007
Translation and terminology-how sadly so many people have died for this inability of humans to use their inherent abilities to "understand" another's terminology when describing without doubt ONE ETERNAL PROCESS. 
I too found "new age" spiritual language lacking for my personal desire for truly wanting to fully understand the physics and scientific process of soul, mind, creation and the Universal forces.  However, what I read in ancient wisdoms whether that was in metaphorical language or not, was describing the same process that I now read about in quantum physics. It is so much more practical and polite to bridge that gap, and overlap the data, instead of arguing about language.  Deepak Chopra is way ahead of the times and has done as much good for this renaissance and period of awakening as Dr. Mercola, whom I wholeheartedly also support.  Additionally, a current description for alternative medicine is "vibrational medicine", pertaining to the underlying energy.  I work in vibrational medicine and am a true skeptic and base all my understandings in logic, physics and science remembering however, how these ideas have been "kept" preserved for us, through myth, spirituality and ancient wisdoms.  It is wonderful to merge it all and see us all as working under the same principles no matter what terminology we choose to use.....

 
 
 
Posted On Apr 25, 2007
Hi Dr. Mercola,
I admire your determination and the huge risks and the motivation you had to succeed, and the way you cut through the confusion that exists all around us regarding our health.

I am a cancer recoverer, who doesn't believe in Chemo or Radiotherapy, and initially started to promote my views about fasting, canola oil, fluoride etc., on my  Cancer Support website
www.friendswithcancer.com.au  when I was advised to "tone it down" which I have done.

I now ,slowly slowly, use questioning techniques, only put my point across if asked, and lead by example, in a positive practical way.
It's a sad state of affairs, but it is so easy to be shut down these days,
I am  making headway, it is frustrating though, I figure if I can save one person from unneccesary trauma, it's all worthwhile. Kind regards, Nathan

 
Nathan_203
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 4/2007
Nathan_203  
Replied

cheftodd
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 4/2007
cheftodd  
 
Posted On Apr 25, 2007
change is hard for people, I know my views have taken a huge turn.  now slowly I am getting my friends to see  the light!  just keep doing what you are doing, and I think it will be ok.


Reesacat
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 1/2007
Reesacat  
 
Posted On Apr 25, 2007
Ozy ness, I can't tell you why.  However, you do need to take into account the basic human nature-flawed, in my belief.  Alot of greed,
stupidity, and laziness helped us get  to this point.  Until I got very ill,
I wanted a pill or a quick solution to fix the problem so I could live
the way I wanted and keep on working.

When I was diagnosed with CFIDS (ME in the UK, don't know about
Australia) or Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome
the conventional medical community did not have any solutions for me
and thus began a journey to get better.  I did alot of the harm to myself.
The good news is that you can reverse it and do good things for yourself
to heal!

I am very impressed with your care for others and your family!  You will
make a difference.  The very fact forums like this exist and are growing
and thriving means we are starting to wake up and realize what we have
done to ourselves and the planet.


 
 
 
Posted On Apr 24, 2007
While we're on the subject of too much information for people to keep up with...
Does anyone know anything about trophology the science of food combining? What it basically boils down to is that, any given ingredients regardless of their purity or nutrtitional quality can be healthier or less healthy depending on how they are combined. For instance, its proposed that starch shouldn't be combined with meat because the alkaline enzyme ptyalin pours into the food as its chewed in the mouth. When the food reaches the stomach, digestion of starch by alkaline enzymes continues unabated, thereby preventing the digestion of protein by pepsin and other acid secretions. Bacteria in the stomach are thus permitted to attack the protein and putrefication commences, rendering nutrients in the protein food largely useless to you and producing toxic wastes and foul gases, including such poisons as indol, skatol, phenol, hydrogen sulphide, phenylpropionic acid and others.
It also says that fruits (especially acid fruits) shouldnt be eaten with meat because they will ferment rather than digest, and they shouldnt be eaten on a full stomach.
It affirms that milk curdles immediately upon entering the stomach , so if there is other food present the curds coagulate around other food particles and insulate them from exposure to gastric juices, delaying digestion long enough to permit the onset of putrefication.

Any thoughts? I don't know whether to worry about this stuff or not but it seems to make sense.

 
sucram
Novice User Novice User, Joined On 3/2007
sucram  
Replied

ukbelle
Novice User Novice User Joined On 4/2007
ukbelle  
 
Posted On Apr 24, 2007
I have found that food combining is helpful to my digestion. Additional,unintentional effects were:reducing size and weight. I would suggest you try it and see what it does for you. It is possible that this is the right way to eat - but that sadly,we destroy our children's digestive systems quite early on by not knowing these simple guidelines.Maybe this in turn leads to digestive problems later on? I believe that is fairly easily rectified by adopting the "food combining" suggestions.


Mercola Fan
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 11/2006
Mercola Fan  
 
Posted On Apr 24, 2007
On the subject of food combining, one of the vital votes posts references the book...Fit for Life..written on that subject. It made sense to me as well and I started to eat that way. I did so for almost a year. During that time I felt TERRIBLE and I gained 20 pounds!!!
The BEST way to eat is the way that is right for YOU.
At the risk of sounding like a Dr Mercola groupy...I have to say, he is the only one who seems to have it right. Metabolic Typing is the correct way to begin any changes in diet. What is best for one person can actually be detrimental to another. Listen to your body...and Dr Mercola.


Scott V
Novice User Novice User Joined On 2/2007
Scott V  
 
Posted On Apr 24, 2007
I think food combining might have some physical benefits for your digestion: The meal would likely be more simple and therefore easier to digest. But my personal experience has led me to believe that reducing food down to simply 4 groups and ignoring all of the foods other qualities is problematic. For example, one might expect a difference between the effect of raw kefir and liquid pasteurized/homongenized milk on the digestion. I can't say that it is 'true', but I have read that raw milk does not "putrefy" in the same fashion; still, they are both dairy products.

Furthermore, each of these food "groupings" will have various effects on hormones, neotransmitters and so forth. I feel as though by isolating starch and protein from eachother, one would inevitably be consuming too much of one and not enough of another at a given time.

As far as I know, no population has ever lived under these food combining principles. Perhaps they are valuable for cleansing, I cannot say. But speaking as someone who tried it and found it impossible to feel well while doing so, I always feel concerned when I hear others promoting it. I am not trying to say that you are wrong by any means, as we all know each of us are different. I'm just sharing my experience. Despite the fact its not really "on topic" I'd be interested to discuss it further with you.


Mercola Fan
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 11/2006
Mercola Fan  
 
Posted On Apr 24, 2007
I tried to post this and it did not take...let me try again..

 I completely adopted the Fit for Life program for almost a year...
got very sick, had no energy and gained 20 lbs!!! It was the fruit they instruct you to eat for breakfast that messed me up. I kept thinking I was just going thru a healing crisis from all my healthy living. I put more confidence in what the book said than in what my body was telling me. I learned that my body is my best indicator on what is right for me.

I feel that Metabolic typing as described by Dr Mercola on this site is the best way to start any diet changes. I have learned that what works for one may not work for another and in fact could be detrimental.  I have also learned that any program that fanatically excludes any food group is based more in personal feelings than in good health.


kahotep
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 11/2006
kahotep  
 
Posted On Apr 24, 2007
A couple of years ago I learned about Trophology and Detoxification from a book titled The Tao of Health, Sex, and Longevity by Daniel Reid.  This information had a profound impact on my life that has been unparalleled by anything else I have done.

Food combinations, especially, make a huge difference to your body.  The stomach has a finite set of tools, it must use these tools to break down whatever is put into it.

If you are careless about what goes into the stomach, then you will hinder your ability to assimilate nutrients from your food.  Most of us have been taught to eat a little of everything at each meal, but this is foolish advice and doesn't make any sense given the problems that this attitude causes the stomach to encounter.

I would strongly recommend reading about Trophology.  It was developed by the ancient Taoists in China and it worked very well for them, it has also worked fantastically for me.