Diet-related Diseases 

 

DIET-RELATED DISEASES

Physical, mental, and behavioral disease are associated with processed foods. The list describes a disturbing range of problems when considered altogether [1-3]. Not every processed food user develops every disease, but repeated use of processed foods increases the risk of developing any one of these diseases in people of all ages.

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Physical Diseases.

Extensive physical disabilities have been demonstrated including  diabetes [4], heart disease [5], stroke [6], excessive fat, [7], infection [8], cancer [9], joint and bone disease [10], and inflammation [11]. The physical problems are extensive. 

Mental Illnesses.

A variety of mental illnesses are also present in processed food consumption. These include ADD [12], Alzheimer’s [13], dementia [14], binge-eating disorder [15], and addiction [16]. 

Emotional Illnesses.

Emotional issues add to the misery manifesting as depression [17, 18], irritability [19], and anxiety [20]. 

Behavioral Disorders.

Behavioral problems are present as poor impulse control/disruptive behavior [21], fatigue [22], poor quality of life [23], and sleep disorders [24]. 

Widespread Failed Treatment.

In spite of the extensive pathology, attempts to treating overeating of processed foods have not helped, and in some cases, have made diseases worse. The failure of weight-loss schemes is measured at 95% and above [25, 26].  Wieght-loss surgery patients exhibit slow weight regain [27, 28] and a tendency to develop alcoholism [29].  Pharmaceuticals add to the distress with side effects such as weight regain [30], heart disease with fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine [31], suicide ideation with Rimonabant [32], memory loss and heightened anxiety from the most recent drugs Lorcaserine and Phentermine-topiramate [33],  hypertension from Sibutramine [34], and bowel leakage from Orlistat [35].  

What Works.

What has worked is eliminating processed foods in favor of unprocessed foods.  Cravings and the urge to overeat gradually diminish. People are able to watch many of the above-described diseases fade away. 

Questions? 

Email Joan Ifland, PhD at [email protected]

BIBLIOGRAPHY

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