NaturalNews.com
Originally published June 18 2008

Consequences of the American Processed Foods Diet
by Debby Bolen

(NaturalNews) Regrettably, the processed food industry wastes over $33
billion per year in advertising to lure people to consume sugar-laden,
fast, junk foods. These processed foods are overloaded with
hydrogenated oil, high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners, and
trans fats. While lacking in necessary nutrition, processed foods'
main ingredients are nutrient empty sugar, water, fat, flour, starch,
artificial colorings and flavors. In 2002 alone, the processed food
industry sold over $174 billion worth of this adulterated combination
by fabricating thousands of cookies, crackers, puddings, cakes, soft
drinks, and other concoctions.

The ensuing outcome is America has become a factory of wide spread
obesity and chronic disease where a huge number of Americans are then
sent on to the highly profitable pharmaceutical industry. In 2007,
John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health warned: if not halted,
the ever-increasing obesity crisis will explode by 2015 to 24% of
children and adolescents being overweight or obese, and 75% of adults
being overweight with 41% being obese.

Currently over fifty percent of people with severe weight problems
have diabetes alone. At this time, the CDC and NIH have estimated over
7% of our population has a form of diabetes for a total of over 21
million people but nearly a third are undiagnosed. In 2007, indirect
and direct medical cost of diabetes is estimated at over $174 billion.
Presently these numbers are exploding daily and tangible statistics
are difficult to obtain to keep up with the reality of our diabetes
epidemic.

It is very distressing that American society has chosen this lifestyle
in view of the fact that 1970's nutritional experts' research data
revealed patterns of eating has a direct influence on illnesses. By
the 1980's publicized research revealed populations consuming more
fruits, vegetables, and high fiber foods experienced lower disease
rates. Two well-researched examples are the whole grains, nuts, seeds,
fresh fruits and vegetables, and olive oil rich Mediterranean diet,
and the South Pacific diets with copious amounts of coconut oil. Even
something as simple as water has a profound affect on health. Last
year, Loma Linda University research revealed something as
uncomplicated as 5 glasses of water per day reduces the risk of our
number one cause of death heart attack by 50%. Since we have three
decades worth of proven research on the benefits of a healthy diet,
but are not applying this knowledge, one has to contemplate just what
our goals are as a society.

Experts have estimated twice the current acreage would have to be
planted for farms to grow the amount of fruits and vegetables
necessary for Americans to consume healthy diets. Deplorably, American
politicians stubbornly continue to pander to lobbied interests and
subsidize the processed foods industries while blatantly disregarding
the health and well being of American citizens. The ever mutating
Amended H.R. 2419, the Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act, otherwise
known as the Farm Bill, is supposed to provide for the continuation of
our country's agricultural programs through 2012. For months the
Senate and House have been wrangling over our country's next five-year
plan but when they finally agree on it, President Bush will probably
veto it due to disagreements regarding crop subsidies. The Citizens
Against Government Waste states there is no significant reform in HR
2419 and are encouraging the President to stick with his veto threat.
The result of all this is our nation has a completely out of balance
healthcare and agricultural economics policy which is now affecting
the rest of the planet.

About the author
Debby is a Registered Nurse, and a free-lance journalist. The best
method of achieving wellness and optimal weight is by eating healthy
and exercising. Debby educates the public about a preventative-based
healthy lifestyle and operates an on-line business offering gardening
information at Gardening for Joy. Gardening contributes to saving the
planet and your health.

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