Strait jacket. Where’s the beef? Processed, ultra-processed, raw?

Strait jacket. Where’s the beef? Processed, ultra-processed, raw?

Open the Strait!

Word has it that Iran as part of a settlement wants to exact tolls for navigating the Strait of Hormuz. The strait is an international water so that should be a nonstarter. However, what would it take to guarantee that Iran will never block the strait again? You would have to take away the threats from drones, missiles and mines. Does that mean you have to put marines in the islands in the strait to clean out all the armaments including the missiles? Then you would have to station the marines there permanently. That may not be far fetched since it would just be another permanent installation in the Gulf. You would also have to station the navy there as well as with A-10 warthogs and Apache helicopters to stop any naval threat and prevent mines from being laid. Despite all the US and Israeli attacks Iran is still has a vast stockpile of mines, cruise missiles and hundreds of undamaged boats in hidden facilities with deeply dug tunnels along the coast and on islands. Seems to me that to ensure safe passage through the strait, the US will have to put boots on the ground. While a full blown invasion of Iran would simply be a stupid logistical nightmare, taking over the coast along the strait and the islands might be the only choice or else the danger of small, unmanned boats carrying explosive charges or airborne drones would present an ever present danger. Still taking control of the coast and the islands will not eliminate the threat of cruise missiles being fired from hundreds of miles away. Is this what is referred to as a “strait jacket?”

A modest suggestion: One way out is just to leave. Since we don’t need energy from the Gulf (so says Trump), the only economic reason we are there is fertilizer where we get about 13 percent of our total supply. We could probably make that up elsewhere. So why have all the installations and all the troops? We have 8 permanent bases and 11 access sites in 19 countries in the Middle East with 50,000 troops. So if there is no real economic reason for us to be there, why are we there? Are we there just to keep Iran from getting the bomb? Not likely. Are we there to keep ISIS and terrorist groups in check? Do we really need 50,000 troops to do that? Why don’t we just say that we will show up every now and then to make certain Iran does not get nukes and tell our Gulf “allies” that its their responsibility to provide their own security. Certainly they have the resources. So degrade Iran’s military and let those countries in the Gulf and those dependent upon Gulf oil and LNG keep the Strait of Hormuz open and keep Iran in check. I am sure that China, India, Japan and South Korea can work things out. Oh and yes I know we are abandoning those mostly young Iranians who hope for a regime change, but why is that our responsibility?

Where’s the beef?

There is a study done in Sweden that links high meat consumption to lower risk of dementia. “Meat consumption and cognitive health by APOE genotype” is the study.

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2846712#google_vignette

Here is the finding:

“In this cohort study among 2157 older adults without dementia, higher total meat consumption was associated with slower cognitive decline and a reduced dementia risk among older adults with APOE ε3/ε4 and ε4/ε4 genotypes. Interactions by APOE genotype were observed for trajectories of global cognition and episodic memory.”

Meaning: “These findings suggest that higher meat consumption than conventionally recommended may be associated with benefits in a genetically defined subgroup comprising approximately one-quarter of the global population.”

The study also showed that a lower proportion of processed meat in total meat consumption was associated with a lower risk of dementia regardless of APOE genotype. So much for deli meat! Do you think that by my eating only the meat that I kill myself has helped to ward off dementia? Now if I can only remember where I put those new broadheads.

Processed meats?

RFK, jr is going to attack processed foods. I guess that includes processed meats. The only processed meat I eat is the peppered turkey breast at Kroger’s. I don’t eat fast foods. I don’t buy anything with sugar added and look for low sodium foods. And I don’t eat a whole lot of processed foods – depending on how you define processed. Is half and half processed milk? Guilty. Is oatmeal processed oats? Guilty. What about organic cereal? Guilty. What about canned vegetables? Guilty. Or frozen vegetables? Guilty. BBQ sauce? Guilty! Publix fried chicken? Guilty! Stouts and porters? Guilty! So what we need is a definition of “processed” and especially a definition of “ultra-processed.” Is pimento cheese processed or ultra-processed? What about “American” cheese – whatever that is. Isn’t anything that isn’t raw processed?

Kennedy on Joe Rogan’s show said that a definition of ultra-processed foods is forthcoming, with a nutritional label. I am sure that certain additives, dyes and the like will be highlighted. But the question is will it do any good? Will you read the label and will it change your food preferences? Don’t we know that Twinkies are ultra-processed? What about sourdough bread? Essentially, I can’t define it but I know it when I see (or taste) it.

What about the labels on cigarettes? I know the incidence of smoking has decreased over time but is this because of the labels? As study says “no.” In the “Effect of graphic warning labels on cigarette packs on US smokers’ coggnitions and smoking behavior after 3 months” the authors find “This ranndomized clinical trial found that graphic warnings decreased positive perceptionBehavior After 3 Months” the authors find in “This randomized clinical trial found that graphic warning labels decreased positive perceptions of cigarettes associated with branded cigarette packs but without clearly increasing health concerns. They also increased quitting cognitions but did not affect either cigarette cessation or consumption levels.”

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8339936/

I have the feeling that first the nutritional labels, then the graphic label with a gut microbiome, then the bans.

Processed? Ultra-processed? What about raw?

I know a couple that has been on a raw diet for at least 30 years. Both are rail thin but say that their diagnostics show that they are incredibly healthy. They eat everything raw, fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains and even raw fish and meat. Your basic sushi/tartare diet! The idea is that heating food destroys its nutrients and natural enzymes, which is bad because enzymes boost digestion and fight chronic disease. In short: When you cook it, you kill it. Remember the post on gut microbiome? Well a raw diet insures a healthier gut microbiome.  Does cooking really make food toxic? This couple would say so. I have been at receptions and dinners where they were in attendance and their strict dietary regimen was met. I somewhat admire them for their strength of conviction and sheer will power (or won’t power). Now let me see if I can give up Publix’s chocolate trinity ice cream and Jelly Bellys for a month.