thanks, lily. i knew about boiling up plantago vulgarus and eating it like spinach, but not scrunching it up and applying it to mosquito bite. a former friend says whatever poisons mother nature places in your path, she places the antidote nearby.

Star- Our own Surgeon Generals over several administrations has said this is a national crisis of the last 20 years that can be attributed to advertising and the rise of fast food….I didn’t see it as an attempt to discriminate but to counteract unhealthful (and overwhelmingly powerful) cultural influences. It does seem pretty aggressive…if Japan has national health care that could be a reason why…ie to reduce raised health costs.

Star-I mentioned it because it was related and I thought pretty amazing….also I thought the Metabo word was nice.

Lily, You’re right my sisters credentials are not mine—I have far more experience than either of my sisters who are both very educated, professional/licensed women in helping professions, and both overweight as adults and both have taken anti-depressants. I’ve been/done neither. As much as I admire both, certainly wouldn’t take nutritional/exercise advice from either. “You are so very fortunate to enjoy good health.” I happen to be legally disabled with a scary/debilitating neurological condition and am healthy because I am pro-active, informed, have a great professional background and keep learning. I was also Director of a College of Health And Human Services for a reason, and managed major medical center design also for a reason, and have researched and written major university grant proposals [that were funded] for preventative nutrition/fitness/health center programs. Very few mental health/medical doctors have more than negligible nutritional education, that is why consumers need to be very proactive. Only one-third of the 125 or so medical schools in the country require students to take courses in nutrition. At Cornell University’s School of Medicine the nutrition course is eight hours. Two-thirds of of the medical schools in this country offer only elective courses in nutrition. The Surgeon General has said Obesity is the #1 health problem. It isn’t about looks/size it’s about health. Being overweight/not exercising greatly increases the incidence of/accelerates cancer, asthma, cardiovascular disease, stroke and diabetes. • In the last 20 years US obesity rates doubled among adults. 30% of the adult population is obese. (this rise correlates with the rise of fast foods) • In the last 20 years overweight rates have tripled among adolescents – increasing the number of years they are exposed to the health risks of obesity. • Type 2 adult diabetes is now being diagnosed among those under 18, including half of the pediatric diabetes cases, when previously pediatric Type 2 diabetes total was almost unknown. Overweight children with Type 2 diabetes are at risk of suffering complications of kidney disease, blindness and amputations. •61% of overweight 5- to10-year-olds have at least one risk factor for heart disease, one -quarter have two or more risk factors. Though the primary behaviors causing the obesity epidemic are well known and preventable: physical inactivity and unhealthy diet, still: • Only 25% of U.S. adults eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day. • Less than 25% of adolescents eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day. • Over 50% od adults do not get sufficient activity to provide health benefits. • Over 30% of those in grades 9–12 do not get sufficient physical activity. Direct health costs related to obesity were estimated at $75 billion in 2003. For those under 18 annual hospital costs related to obesity has more than tripled in the last 20 years. A head of Center for Disease Control discussing the serious cultural epidemic of obesity and overweight and consequences: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/14384657#14384657 It is very difficult for people (especially over the age of 40) to maintain healthy weight without solid nutritional knowledge (which is very low in the greater population) We don’t teach it in schools except in a very superficial manner. The surgeon general has stated that addressing obesity/fitness would have the single greatest impact in decreasing chronic disease in individuals and the medical crisis in the US. We have a therapy/over medicated/pill-popping/obese culture from people not being informed enough. It is nearly always up to the individual to become self-educated. “Some people are born with these genetic defects that run in families.” That’s obviously true, but it is not the norm, and anyone with any problem should always be screened by doctors. I think that the general population is smart enough to know that since it is repeated constantly throughout US society PSAs, etc. From a major study of environmental (ie ‘Fast Food’ nation, inner cities without access to fresh produce, etc.) and genetic factors in weight: “Environmental changes can significantly raise or lower average weight—as, in fact, they have….the arrival of television…. the proliferation of fast food.” “Just because something is genetically caused doesn’t mean it can’t be behaviorally controlled. As an example, phenylketonuria, a genetic disease whose symptoms are commonly averted by altering the patient’s diet.” “To the extent that genetics overlaps with fattening behavior, old dichotomies have to be chucked. You can’t just blame fat people for eating too much. Nor can you assume that because fat is hereditary, there’s nothing they or society can do about it.” “The authors propose a “behavioral, genetic model” of overweight… “creating healthier external environments,” along with “teaching vulnerable persons to adopt life-long prudent habits.” Ergo: Their conclusion was that there is a biological predisposition tp suffer harm from common environmental factors. [Some are more inclined to follow the cultural/environment…ie ‘Fat Food Nation” relatively sedentary lifestyle.] “It’s more of a struggle for some than for others.” Not exercising, eating unhealthy foods, drinking/smoking are major contributors to depression. “You are entitled to your beliefs. I do not agree with them. That is my privilege. You are not always right.” I wonder why you are so defensive. I state my opinions…..obviously no one is always right. I certainly am not. It is everyone’s “privilege” to state their opinions. I sincerely doubt my opinion has that much, if any, influence on anyone. Grown-up women make their own choices. I have absolutely zero control over what others think or do. “This is a forum to share information.” Yes, it is. I don’t happen to believe in ‘victim’ views that many embrace [including the disempowering language and beliefs that go along with it], while also decrying their inability to break addiction cycles. And you’re right, I wouldn’t be a fan of Collette Dowling because I personally know so many better educated more qualified individuals. She went back to school AFTER 9/11 to receive an LMSW in social work (ie sometime in the last 5 years.) She is not one of the hundreds of highly respected medical professionals I’ve worked with for over 20 years at the top teaching medical centers in the US, nor is she a Phd, nor a nutritionist. I’ve said repeatedly that I am very empathetic with people who have addictions, and have observed very painful, costly eating disorders and would really like to see people live free from those cycles as described in the Anne Marie story. The main contributors to cancer, stroke, heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, depression, are being overweight, inactive, and not eating fresh healthy foods. There are plenty of conditions that are genetic…but they can be helped by diet and exercise. There are 1.2 million of new cancer cases each year 560,000 died from cancer last year, our second leading cause of death The American Institute for Cancer Research’s Diet & Cancer Project Report based on 4,500 research studies was the first ever international review of diet and cancer, and is the most comprehensive report ever in the field of diet and cancer. The AICR Report (again based on 4,500 separate research studies) concluded that our dietary choices play an overwhelming role in helping to protect us against, and fight, cancer [and other diseases] Eating right, plus staying physically active and maintaining a healthy weight [not being overweight by more than 11 pounds as an adult], can cut cancer risk by 30% to 40% Their recommendations coupled with not smoking has the potential to reduce cancer risk by 60% to 70% As many as 375,000 cases of cancer, at current cancer rates, could be prevented each year in this nation through healthy dietary choices A simple change, such as eating the recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables each day, could by itself reduce cancer rates more than 20% The American Institute for Cancer Research spends $54 million to research in diet, nutrition and cancer at universities, hospitals and research centers in 41 states and in 6 other countries. Nutrition Hotline (1-800-843-8114) American Institute for Cancer Research 1759 R Street N.W. Washington, D.C. 20009 1-800-843-8114 (202) 328-7744 in Washington, D.C. Web: http://www.aicr.org The Report’s Advice to Individuals: 1) Choose predominantly plant-based diets rich in a variety of vegetables and fruits, (legumes) and minimally processed starchy staple foods. 2) Avoid being underweight or overweight and limit weight gain during adulthood to less than 11 pounds. 3) Take an hour’s brisk walk daily, and also exercise vigorously for a at least one hour in a week. 4) Eat five or more servings a day of a variety of vegetables and fruits, all year round. 5) Eat seven servings a day of a variety of cereals, grains, legumes, roots, tubers and plantains. Minimally processed foods. Limit sugar. 6) Alcohol consumption is not recommended. If consumed, limit alcoholic drinks to less than two drinks a day for men and one for women. 7) If eaten at all, limit intake of red meat to less than 3 ounces daily. It is preferable to choose fish, poultry and meat from non-domesticated animals in place of red meat. 8) Limit consumption of fatty foods, particularly those of animal origin. Choose modest amounts of appropriate vegetable oils. 9) Limit consumption of salted foods and use of cooking and table salt. Use herbs and spices to season foods. 10) Use refrigeration and other appropriate methods to preserve perishable foods as purchased and at home. 11) Do not eat charred food. For meat and fish eaters, avoid burning of meat juices. Consume the following only occasionally: meat and fish grilled (broiled) in direct flame; cured and smoked meats. 12) Do not smoke or chew tobacco. For myself this diet doesn’t go far enough because I think all organic/non-processed/non-GMO/no sugar and vegetarian is healthiest for individuals and the planet. Although it certaintly would be a major step forward for the overall population to adopt.

I good eye rolled when I saw him, too…