Key to happiness is eating more fruit and veg

[Kim OHara]

Eating large amounts of fruit and vegetables can make you happier, Queensland research has found.

The University of Queensland study suggests eating eight or more portions of fruit and vegetables a day improves mental wellbeing as well as physical health.

Health economics researcher Dr Redzo Mujcic from UQ's school of pharmacy said the study involved more than 12,000 Australian adults.

More at http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-21/k ... er/5831508


Kim

[cooran]

Certainly worth giving it a try.
Maybe my mother was right, making me stay at the dinner table until all the Vegetables were eaten.

With metta,
Chris

[Ben]

Thanks Kim,
This short 2 min video is worth watching and is relevant here:

phpBB [video]

Kind regards,
Ben

[PeterB]

Except if you are one of the 10% of the population who suffers from one of the group of disorders, some of them inherited and some acquired, known as IBS ( irritable bowel syndrome ) in which case eating more fruit and veg could substantially decrease your happiness... You could spend half your life on the loo.
Just to translate that to actual numbers that's roughly six million people in the U.K. for example...

[Ben]

Except if you are one of the 10% of the population who suffers from one of the group of disorders, some of them inherited and some acquired, known as IBS ( irritable bowel syndrome ) in which case eating more fruit and veg could substantially decrease your happiness... You could spend half your life on the loo.
Just to translate that to actual numbers that's roughly six million people in the U.K. for example...

Really?
In case you can't see me, I am raising my right eyebrow slowly and incredulously.
Kind regards,
Ben

[PeterB]

Hi Ben.
Thats the figure quoted by the International Federation for Functional Gastro-Intestinal Disorders..which incidentally is comprised of both physicians and respected researchers in the field as well as sufferers from those conditions.
Some estimates put it as high as 15% of the population.
IBS comprises a number of conditions ( hence 'syndrome ' ) which vary in cause and intensity.
Some are probably the result of low fibre diets, and would benefit from a gradual increase in dietary fibre..although that will result in an increase in symptoms in the short term..
Other conditions however seem to have a congenital basis, or are the result of physiological changes, and require a life long low fibre diet..in the case of the latter the essential vitamins and minerals lacking in the diet can be replaced by supplements.

[Ben]

Dear Peter,
I have no problem with the figures re: number of people in the UK with IBS.
My own understanding is that a plant-based diet that includes cayenne pepper and kiwi fruit would be an excellent treatment for IBS.
http://nutritionfacts.org/2012/10/18/ki ... -syndrome/
Kind regards,
Ben

[PeterB]

I think the key term Dr Greger's study is 'constipation related IBS' Ben.
As I indicated above the variety of IBS which is linked to a low fibre diet..which tends to constipation may well benefit from a managed increase in soluble fibre..such as that found in kiwi fruit ( or rhubarb ).
However there are a number of other strains of IBS..research suggests that some of them are the result of inherited predisposition, in those cases treatment by increasing fibre is a lot more variable in its outcomes than Dr Greger suggests.
Another major factor seems to be chronic inflammation following infection and/or trauma. In those cases neither drug nor dietary interventions seem to have much success.
The sufferer often has little choice but to change their lifestyle, including the adoption of a low fibre and bland diet.

It could be that some forum members have direct experience here.It would be interesting to hear about their regimes.

[Ben]

Thanks Peter.

[daverupa]

Another major factor seems to be chronic inflammation following infection and/or trauma. In those cases neither drug nor dietary interventions seem to have much success.
The sufferer often has little choice but to change their lifestyle, including the adoption of a low fibre and bland diet.

It could be that some forum members have direct experience here.It would be interesting to hear about their regimes.

Total colectomy about 17 years ago with an ileoanal anastomosis as a result of severe ulcerative colitis. High fives all around.

Just as with eating once a day or not, eating X and not Y or not, diet science is only just coming to grips with the interplay of variables that have input with respect to this molecular monstrosity of a digesting body. Solid pieces of noncontroversial advice which are not over-vague and which apply to most/all humans is fairly difficult to attain, which I think is one reason why anecdotes yet prevail in this sort of literature.

Probably the best thing for people to do is, if they suffer from X condition, to network with others with similar challenges in order to come to grips with a communal body of wisdom that generally applies to their particular case. This 'hearth-science', when put in dialogue with gastrointestinal specialists' commentary, is probably the best thing for any individual with such issues.

For these people, hearing such advice as "eat more fruits & vegetables" is probably already known not to apply in their own case; for those just starting out with gut adventures, the primary lesson is small and patient application of food to the digestive system with all foodstuffs until one's own baselines are known.

[PeterB]

Excellent advice.
No expert, whether representing received knowledge or alternatives, can do more than offer general advice. We are a complex of genetic loading, conditioning, and history, and as such we are each unique. However pooled knowledge can help us discover what benefits us as individuals..in a sense the internet can represent a return to the wisdom of the elders, to the politics of experience.

[Mkoll]

Another major factor seems to be chronic inflammation following infection and/or trauma. In those cases neither drug nor dietary interventions seem to have much success.
The sufferer often has little choice but to change their lifestyle, including the adoption of a low fibre and bland diet.

It could be that some forum members have direct experience here.It would be interesting to hear about their regimes.

Total colectomy about 17 years ago with an ileoanal anastomosis as a result of severe ulcerative colitis. High fives all around.

Just as with eating once a day or not, eating X and not Y or not, diet science is only just coming to grips with the interplay of variables that have input with respect to this molecular monstrosity of a digesting body. Solid pieces of noncontroversial advice which are not over-vague and which apply to most/all humans is fairly difficult to attain, which I think is one reason why anecdotes yet prevail in this sort of literature.

Probably the best thing for people to do is, if they suffer from X condition, to network with others with similar challenges in order to come to grips with a communal body of wisdom that generally applies to their particular case. This 'hearth-science', when put in dialogue with gastrointestinal specialists' commentary, is probably the best thing for any individual with such issues.

For these people, hearing such advice as "eat more fruits & vegetables" is probably already known not to apply in their own case; for those just starting out with gut adventures, the primary lesson is small and patient application of food to the digestive system with all foodstuffs until one's own baselines are known.

Sorry to hear that. I hope it doesn't cause pain now or if it does, it's bearable.

Do you know or have any theories about how you developed ulcerative colitis?

[Ben]

Hi Dave and Peter,
With great respect to your own medical condition and experience, I think I'll stick to evidence-based dietary advice. Dietary advice that is based on longitudinal studies and meta-analyses of the existing peer-reviewed literature.
I think anecdotes are interesting but I would not be basing health decisions on their weight however convincing they may be.
Kind regards,
Ben

[daverupa]

evidence-based dietary advice

Yes, this will come via the gastro-specialists to whom I referred. For those without ailment, there are many more choices for healthy diet, and advice such as the OP tends to be a useful reminder to eat what we evolved on, not what we want to taste.

[sattva]

Then, there are people like me who are dialysis patients who have to watch phosphorus and potassium contents of foods. Some foods which would normally be considered healthy, I have to limit eating!