OPINION:
The body of medical research linking ultra-processed foods to obesity and chronic inflammatory diseases is epidemiological (“CDC report finds Americans get most of their calories from ultra-processed junk food,” Web, Aug. 7). As such, it is not powered to produce a cause/effect relationship. That requires experiment.
Epidemiologists are always harping on us to eat a plant-based diet. Unfortunately, they don’t understand why reducing meat intake is beneficial.
In a blog post, Steve Blechman explains why the Mediterranean style diet consistently produces beneficial results: “The Mediterranean diet is low in arachidonic acid and rich in healthy fats such as monounsaturated fats found in extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO), nuts and omega-3 fatty acids from fish, which has been shown to lower the risk of inflammation, heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity, and other degenerative diseases.”
To learn why lowering arachidonic acid intake is wise, I recommend readers take a look at Anthony Hulbert’s 2021 paper, “The under-appreciated fats of life: the two types of polyunsaturated fats.”
DAVID BROWN
Kalispell, Montana
Please read our comment policy before commenting.