[MD] Science: Medicine?

[Arlo Bensinger]

[Krimel]
Many of the problems Arlo sees in the modern world, soda, cheese 
crackers... don't come for chemicals in the food, they come from too much food.

[Arlo]
Yes, I'd agree that our raw consumption of food is problematic, and 
is a major factor in obesity rates. However, Krim, I want to clarify 
that it is not "soda and cheese crackers" per se I see as problems, 
but that much of what passes as "soda" and "cheese crackers" is flour 
and water colored and flavored with dyes and chemicals. There are 
healthy varieties of sodas and Cheeze-Its I eat on occasion (although 
I personally prefer actual cut cheese on natural crackers). Here's 
another challenge. In your local grocery, pick up a box of "healthy 
Cheeze-Its" in your natural, organic section, and then go get a box 
of regular Cheeze-Its. Read the ingredient lists side-by-side. If you 
choose to consume the box of artificial dyes and chemicals that give 
a "cheese flavor" over a box containing pretty much only yeast, wheat 
and cheese, that's your call. But if you don't think Yellow Dye #35 
is harmful, then why wouldn't you buy a bottle of this yellow dye and 
pour it on foods yourself? Why do you accept it when it is done in a 
factory? And I am a bit taken aback that you'd equate the "chemicals" 
found inside broccoli as being on par with, or no different than, 
chemical food dyes. Extending that logic, both broccoli and gasoline 
are composed of "chemical compounds", so eating both should be 
equally nutritious.

Also, while not being familiar with either the studies you or 
Margaret cite, your criticism of her studies as pandering to a 
sympathetic crowd, could one not draw the same conclusions about 
articles saying that ingesting pesticides is harmless (who funded 
that one?). I have seen several studies linking high-fructose corn 
syrups and other artificial additives and dyes to diabetes, 
intestinal cancers and depression. And as Khaled pointed out, this 
stuff is in everything. Trace your food intake for a week or two. See 
how much high fructose corn syrup, chemical dyes and other artificial 
chemicals you consume. You may not be suffering, but I bet if you 
spent the same amount of time eating fresh veggies and fruits, 
organic and natural alternatives to the prepared foods you eat, you'd 
feel better and have much more energy. That's been my experience anyway.