by f1jim » Mon Jan 24, 2011 8:46 am
That's the problem, Burgess. You and I actually have objective definitions. While it's always a good thing to keep an open mind, and valuable to always carry skepticism in your pocket, at some point you have to go with where the evidence points to. It took me 51 years but for me that evidence clearly points to a low fat, plant based, whole foods diet. The more humans seem to follow that program the healthier they get and the longer they tend to live. The reverse seems to be true, too. I tend to dismiss some exciting new report that tells me I can eat anything I want in moderation. Or how I can't possibly thrive without taking this or that supplement. I like to watch the data cumulatively build support for my way of eating, and place less emphasis on some test tube experiment that bears little resemblance to what has worked for generation after generation. While I respect those that question the dietary norms I believe we all, on a daily basis, have to make choices about what goes in our mouths. Our decisions about what is and is not good for us comes to a decision point at every meal. We can make informed decisions or eat whatever and kick that decision down the road another year or two. As for our conflicts over the years, JC I refuse to let these forums become what happened to the old and new WebMD forums that are now essentially ghost towns. The old Ornish forum clearly ceased to exist when the "moderators" that didn't even believe in the program let the forum deteriorate into a structureless, leaderless, morass where little respect for the founder existed. No serious person trying to learn and follow that program would find it informative. Most of those members are now either here or on the PMRI board, or both.
For those following a McDougall type diet the endless arguing about the most basic of the programs tenets would drive people away in droves. There will always be conflicting information about any topic at any given time. And there is the influence of groups with an agenda that will always have an interest in promoting their product. They will be a source of much misinformation. To let them be a source of confusion is chaos. To let them be a reason to be undecided in dietary decisions is tragic. It's no accident why these forums have large participation and energetic members. The topics are engaging, the message is consistent, and the knowledge content is high. The fact that you, JC, are here says a lot. You can bash Dr. McDougall on other forums but it's ironic you chose to establish a presence here.
f1jim
While adopting this diet and lifestyle program I have reversed my heart disease, high cholesterol, hypertension, and lost 54 lbs. You can follow my story at https://www.drmcdougall.com/james-brown/