Beer & Your Health

That is what they asked me when I got my bloodwork done. They noticed quite an improvement. They asked if I was focused on a plant-based diet. I told them no. I eat beef, eggs, cheese, and a little bit of fruit. They said they have heard from a lot of other people who made a similar switch, who have experienced similar results. I don't suggest that this is the right diet for other people, but I feel better, sleep better, think more clearly, and have energy all the time. I am never hungry, even though I only eat in 4-6-hour window. The food is always delicious. I don't get tired of eating the same thing every day. My entire day of eating costs less than $10. I used to eat a Mediterranean diet. I was in good health, but now I am in great health.

 

Interesting. No other lifestyle changes?

Different or increased workout? Less stress? Do you weigh less now than before this diet? Drinking the same amount?

 

I agree 100% Micah! Eggs are nature's super food, 3-4 a day, also salt isn't the enemy, sugar is. If you cut out sugar you'll just pee out any extra salt. Hydrate first thing in the morning with electrolyte water, 16 oz before coffee. I use Redmond's Re-Lyte, it makes it easy. IMHO if your doctor tells you to avoid meet and eggs, limit salt and stay out of the sun.....I'd get a new doctor. PSA im a retired aerospace engineer, so take what I say, well, with a grain of salt.....

 

Eating a healthy diet is common sense for most people, it's just finding a way to stick to said diet that's the issue.

Plenty of protein from lean meats and dairy (calcium from the dairy), fat from healthy sources like olive oil, nuts, eggs...etc., round out with enough carbs for your activity level mostly from vegetables and fruits.

Keep your calories under what you're burning to lose weight, at maintenance to maintain.

But in our world of moving less due to phones, working from home and easy access to crappy easy to eat food, that's a bit complicated.

The diets people were eating in the 1950s was probably perfectly fine. No fancy diets required.

 

I agree and think you're spot on. I get a lot of my info from Dr. James DiNicolantonio a cardiovascular research scientist and Doctor of Pharmacy. Dr. DiNicolantonio was the Associate Editor of British Medical Journal’s (BMJ) Open Heart for over 10 years, a journal published in partnership with the British Cardiovascular Society. He is the author or coauthor of approximately 300 publications in the medical literature.

 

Happy you are in great health.
I would only point out that Dr DiNicolantonio's views are contrary to conventional medical advice.

 

Understood, I have labs on 12/20 and review on 12/30 and will be interested in the results. All I know is I'm not living with Lipators side effects, aching legs and joints. I'll tap out happily at 75 and live pain free til then. I DO appreciate your inputs doc,..cheers!!!

 

All other variables remained constant. I lost weight, but gained muscle. My strength and cardiovascular endurance increased.

 

I only listen to Dr.Sebi

 

I have not heard of him. I will look him up. I try to gain as much insight as possible, from a variety of sources. It is good to continue to evaluate what works, and what doesn't.

 

Check Instagram buddy, almost daily postings.

 

I follow a few whiskey channels including one that suggests a “dry week” once a quarter (not unique to them, it seems). So basically spreading “Dry January” throughout the year.

Not going to debate the efficacy of either.

However, while the content of these particular sites is almost always about what is in the glass, there are periodic reminders that, in the end, it’s about the relationships and memories that what is in the glass aids that really matters.

I’m not sure where BeerAdvocate falls on the spectrum.

Sure, there is a huge informational part of this site. But there is obviously a social part as well - one whose importance has been oft debated, including recent changes to the home page. I’m a bit disheartened to read that attempts to have a forum/section/thread of this site for those wanting to stay connected with people while they can’t partake of beer seem to have been squashed. It seems like this thread has been allowed to run, at least.

Perhaps commentary in such threads has devolved in the past, or perhaps there’s only so many social threads that could stray from beer that the site is willing to maintain. I can understand the decision without really liking it.

 

Funny to hear folks claiming that animal far rich diets are healthier than plant based diets. I'm on a Survivalist/Prepper page where the person responsible for the page is one of these. He constantly cites these highly questionable sources about the "dangers" of a plant based diet, and the great benefits of animal based. I'm not smart enough to know what's good for others, but I can tell you with 100% certainty that DASH (Mayo Clinic Diet plan for heart health similar to Med diet) saved my life, and continues to do so. Even stopped taking my meds 3 years ago.

Like I say, I don't know what's good for others. But I will leave you with a comment I left on that page I mention above. If you have a large group of people you can't know who are the vegans, and who are not. However, if you separate out all the normal weight or thin folks into a group, that group will contain all the vegans.

 

Bodyfat loss can have a significant impact on one's numbers (blood pressure, cholesterol...etc.). No matter how it's achieved (assuming it's not completely nonsensical, like eating only 100 calories a day from Skittles).

That being said, unless a diet is nonsensical, the most important aspect is adherence for most folks. Glad to hear you're sticking to it and thriving, you're ahead of the majority of America.

Are there any controlled studies that have shown this? Not saying it's wrong, just curious.

Also, if they do weigh less, are they eating enough? Especially protein that is well absorbed? (plant based sources of protein tend to be poorly absorbed by the body in an incomplete diet). I've read many vegans struggle to take in adequate vitamin B12, iron, zinc, calcium, iodine, and vitamin D (this could, and I would argue should, be taken in from sunlight though). Also, they tend to be deficient in essential fatty acids (EPA and DHA) because they're not in plant based sources of food.

One can of course take some supplements, but I've always understood it's better to get your nutrients from food rather than supplements whenever possible. I take supplements myself but that's in combination with getting what I need partially from food sources. The supplements act more as a safety net rather than my main source.

I also know some doctors prescribe a vegan diet to individuals for specific reasons, and as I stated above, if a diet works for you and your health is great, that's awesome and is all that matters.

 

Overweight is documented to be one of the highest risk factors for poor health. I am no Dr., but it seems obvious that a group of humans who are overweight are more likely to experience bad health than humans who are the proper weight. It seems unlikely that the claim of health benefits for a diet high in animal fats that is directly linked to overweight can claim to be healthier than an animal product-free diet that includes proper nutrition, such as the one I recommend, the DASH diet.

I try each fall now to put on a good "spare tire" for the winter. Almost impossible to do after previous decades of trying unsuccessfully to take off weight. Imagine that. I know beer was a part of my health problems, but the major part of it was my diet high in animal fats, sugar, and too much sodium.

 

I’ve cut back too due to health “awakening”. It’s scary, it sucks, but in the end I hope and pray it is a transformational moment for you. Had months last year where I couldn’t drink anything.
Dr. Told me though the diet part is huge, beer can be had but the question is always how much. I’ve gotten better at smaller portions, using bottle stoppers, etc and I have found I am enjoying it so much more. Plus I’m saving money since I’m a light(er) weight with my tolerance now!

 

Good idea. I feel like having those numbers can still be on the site while still embracing beer culture. We want to advocate for beer, brewers, beer culture, etc, not alcoholism.