RE: evolution and diet

From: gts (gts_2000@yahoo.com)
Date: Fri Apr 25 2003 - 10:37:49 MDT

  • Next message: Rafal Smigrodzki: "RE: evolution and diet"

    Dehede011@aol.com wrote:

    > I noticed that a new diet just came out for high blood
    > pressure called the DASH diet. It is found at Dash Diet - 04/03/1997
    > http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/apr97/Dash.htm
    > I am wondering how the Dash diet compares to the Paleolithic
    > diet. I see some of the grains present on the Dash diet. Ron h.

    Here is the most concise quote I could find on that webpage:

    "The results show that the DASH 'combination diet' lowered blood pressure
    and, so, may help
    prevent and control high blood pressure...
    The 'combination diet' is rich in fruits, vegetables, and low fat dairy
    foods, and low in
    saturated and total fat. It also is low in cholesterol, high in dietary
    fiber, potassium,
    calcium, and magnesium, and moderately high in protein."

    DASH agrees with paleo theory in that it seems to call for:

    1) an increase in fruits and vegetables
    2) a reduction in saturated fat (the fat most prevalent in dairy products
    other than low-or-non-fat milk and prevalent in fatty cuts of farm-fed
    meats).
    3) moderately high levels of protein
    4) more fiber, potassium and magnesium

    DASH differs from the paleo theory in that it still includes

    1) low-fat diary (no explanation given for this, other than the implied
    assumption that everyone should consume dairy of some kind, because after
    all dairy is as American as Apple Pie and Baseball).
    2) some grain products (also considered as American as Apple Pie).

    My comment to the DASH advocates would then be "Thank you for that great
    progress, but why include any dairy? And why include any grains? Where is
    the evidence that these foods actually reduce blood pressure vs other foods?
    Your table indicates that grains are good sources of calories and fiber,
    this isn't this also true for fruits and veggies? Your table also indicates
    that dairy is a good source of protein and calcium, but isn't this also true
    for lean meats and green leafy veggies? Why add any dairy or grain, when you
    can just as well get these same things by adding even more nutrient-dense
    paleo foods like fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, and poultry?"

    -gts

     



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