Comments on: Is food the new tobacco? http://www.foodpolitics.com/2009/03/is-food-the-new-tobacco/ Sat, 11 Feb 2012 02:17:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jon http://www.foodpolitics.com/2009/03/is-food-the-new-tobacco/comment-page-1/#comment-13508 Jon Thu, 26 Mar 2009 20:17:15 +0000 http://www.foodpolitics.com/?p=1212#comment-13508 It's not a valid comparison because with food, it's all about portion size, whereas with tobacco, you're healthier just not smoking. (OTOH, it's hard to justify a Bloomin' Onion.) On the other hand, the degree to which food companies distort the science is comparable to the tobacco industry. The two do get some connections, though. If you're diabetic, your HDL is probably low, and smoking (or being around smokers) will lower it farther. The immediate symptom is that HDL delivers cholesterol to produce steroids, so you can expect more inflammation, declining sex drive, amenorrhea in premenopausal women, and all the other usual signs of steroid deficiencies. The more dangerous thing is HDL also keeps lipids running smoothly through your bloodstream; if HDL drops, you can have an ischemic event. Smoking increases your risk of breast cancer, and some food additives act as endocrine disruptors, increasing your risk of breast cancer. And of course, many junk foods are made by tobacco companies. It’s not a valid comparison because with food, it’s all about portion size, whereas with tobacco, you’re healthier just not smoking. (OTOH, it’s hard to justify a Bloomin’ Onion.) On the other hand, the degree to which food companies distort the science is comparable to the tobacco industry.

The two do get some connections, though. If you’re diabetic, your HDL is probably low, and smoking (or being around smokers) will lower it farther. The immediate symptom is that HDL delivers cholesterol to produce steroids, so you can expect more inflammation, declining sex drive, amenorrhea in premenopausal women, and all the other usual signs of steroid deficiencies. The more dangerous thing is HDL also keeps lipids running smoothly through your bloodstream; if HDL drops, you can have an ischemic event. Smoking increases your risk of breast cancer, and some food additives act as endocrine disruptors, increasing your risk of breast cancer. And of course, many junk foods are made by tobacco companies.

]]> By: Michelle @ What Does Your Body Good? http://www.foodpolitics.com/2009/03/is-food-the-new-tobacco/comment-page-1/#comment-13075 Michelle @ What Does Your Body Good? Mon, 23 Mar 2009 16:38:09 +0000 http://www.foodpolitics.com/?p=1212#comment-13075 Very interesting. Big business in general seems to create problems. AIG? Very interesting. Big business in general seems to create problems. AIG?

]]> By: Patti http://www.foodpolitics.com/2009/03/is-food-the-new-tobacco/comment-page-1/#comment-13014 Patti Sun, 22 Mar 2009 17:43:39 +0000 http://www.foodpolitics.com/?p=1212#comment-13014 I completely agree! With the rise of so many diet related illnesses and disease, the comparison to tobacco is completely valid. I am certainly looking forward to more public conversation about this issue, and to contributing to helping people find a healthier relationship to their food! I completely agree! With the rise of so many diet related illnesses and disease, the comparison to tobacco is completely valid. I am certainly looking forward to more public conversation about this issue, and to contributing to helping people find a healthier relationship to their food!

]]> By: Arlene Johns http://www.foodpolitics.com/2009/03/is-food-the-new-tobacco/comment-page-1/#comment-12993 Arlene Johns Sat, 21 Mar 2009 18:32:25 +0000 http://www.foodpolitics.com/?p=1212#comment-12993 Tobacco may not be necessary to sustain life, but people sure can use food as a sedative, to forget their problems and as an overall coping mechanism, just like tobacco. The ADA would be wise to address this issue! Tobacco may not be necessary to sustain life, but people sure can use food as a sedative, to forget their problems and as an overall coping mechanism, just like tobacco. The ADA would be wise to address this issue!

]]> By: susanintexas http://www.foodpolitics.com/2009/03/is-food-the-new-tobacco/comment-page-1/#comment-12988 susanintexas Sat, 21 Mar 2009 16:33:46 +0000 http://www.foodpolitics.com/?p=1212#comment-12988 i've been saying this since I read the China Study...eating animal products is akin to smoking a cigarette. same thing. same addiction I just can't get over completely...(i never smoked though). and yes, we are omnivores and meant (or evolved) to eat a bit of animal products, nothing like the 3 meals a day Big Food is pushing on us. i’ve been saying this since I read the China Study…eating animal products is akin to smoking a cigarette. same thing. same addiction I just can’t get over completely…(i never smoked though). and yes, we are omnivores and meant (or evolved) to eat a bit of animal products, nothing like the 3 meals a day Big Food is pushing on us.

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