Binary Language: YES for Computers but NO for Health

Sliding scale vs. Go/No Go

Introduction

We often consider options in binary terms these days, where data interpretation is mixed and where exceptionalism rules. One could define results that define benefits for hundreds or thousands and yet an outlier or exception that represents such a small part of the population is given equal footing and consideration. In the world of statistics these outliers are placed to the side, but when it comes down to decision time from an emotional standpoint, we lose track of the big picture.

What is required is a deeper understanding of the problem that is being addressed and with that the consequences of actions and decision points. Nutritional and lifestyle advice is prone to the same issues, and expert opinion has not helped the general public with wavering advice.

EGGS

A classic example of nutritional confusion are eggs! For those that have some years under their resume you will recall that eggs have been good and then bad, then only the yolks were bad but the whites were good, and finally yolks are fine too.

No wonder the public is confused and adopt an attitude of “when you get your act together then I will listen, but until then …”. The issues at hand with eggs is when specific constituents are examined in isolation, separate from the whole egg, separate from other regulatory actions and drivers.

Let’s take cholesterol in eggs. Yes it is rich in cholesterol but 80% of the body’s total cholesterol is made by the body not from the diet. Further while cholesterol is implicated in vascular disease (atherosclerosis), the main issue is the deposition of oxidized lipids in vascular walls - Not cholesterol. The so-called Good vs Bad cholesterol are sources of great confusion. There is only one form of cholesterol and it is not even a lipid. It is soluble in lipids but structure wise it is a steroid. Indeed, it is the mother chemical for estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, glucocorticoids (cortisol etc.), mineralocorticoids (aldosterone) etc.

So when we talk about good vs bad cholesterol we are vaguely talking about the protein transports systems for lipids in our blood (which cholesterol hitches a ride with). The danger to our health is not the lipids themselves or even the protein carriers actually, but whether or not the lipids are oxidized or not. Remember the non-technical term for an oxidized lipid is RANCID. No-one really wants to be rancid, so that is where the therapeutic focus actually lies.

The other egg component that has the ire of some nutritionists is lecithin. It can be converted into a small molecule called TMA and TMAO which drive vascular disease. Some urge that the diet should be greatly restricted in lecithin levels. But lecithin is a useful nutrient and blood levels of TMA/TMAO is marginally affected by diet but can be wiped out by antibiotics to sterilize the gut bacterial flora.

This means that lecithin in the diet is not the problem, but the problem is the wrong bacteria in the gut. You do not want a bacterial profile that creates a burden of TMA.

So eggs - they are fine but like all things focus on moderation not excess.

MEAT

There is a global trend to reduce the dietary intake of meat. Several reasons have been used to justify this and the most recent to get recognition relates to climate change. Meat is not necessary within the human diet, but vegans can suffer from certain nutritional deficits, the classic examples being Vitamin B12 and iron (especially in post-menopausal women).

A common refrain for meat is that it drives atherosclerosis, here more recently evoking the TMA/TMAO story described above. Vegans have lower but yet similar TMA/TMAO levels to meat eaters. The overlap reflects differences in the bacterial component of the microbiome. The TMA story is a microbiome problem not a diet problem (Bacteria vs Diet & TMA /TMAO).

The other issue that is routinely raised is the way in which meat is cooked, especially BBQs. The concern is the generation of polycyclic aryl hydrocarbons (PAHs) which are known carcinogens. These can be generated in the cooking process with BBQs and so moderation is urged. However I have also reported that extracts of lipid based nutrients grown on aquaculture can have very high levels of PAHs because the extraction process concentrates them from polluted water. In other words, purely vegan dietary components can have excessive levels of PAHs.

BACON

While we are discussing meat, let’s address bacon. Yes it is a rich source of fat, and most do not need that level of fat in their diet but that can be removed in the cooking process. However, most concerns about bacon reflect nitrate/nitrite levels with the threat of these nitrogen oxides forming the carcinogens nitrosamines.

However, chemically speaking nitrite/nitrate are not direct sources of nitrosamines. They have the wrong charge, nitrosamines arise from the replacement of a proton (H+) on an amine with nitroso group (NO2+) to form a nitrosamine. Nitrite has 2 too many electrons. My research into reactive nitrogen species and stomach cancer defined the source of nitration and nitrosation chemistry as being the activated immune system not dietary components (Nitrosamines & Cancer ).

In essence, the verbiage about bacon causing cancer is not supported by the chemistry nor the epidemiology. If you like bacon, then enjoy and again … use moderation.

EXERCISE

There is no question that exercise is one of the best health tonics that you can engage in. It mimics the genetic and biochemical changes that are seen with low calories, and it keeps joints healthy as long as it is not high impact.

However, do not let the pursuit of exercise become too excessive, unless that brings you joy (then go ahead). The health benefits are seen with quite moderate exercise and does not require marathons, lifting massive weights etc. Just get out regularly and that will provide you ample dividends.

CONCLUSION

Unlike computers we function in shades of grey. The body can adapt and modify and still seek balance. Do not be fooled into the binary assessments of health drivers that are too simplistic i.e., GOOD or BAD. Learn the subtleties and make good choices that center on moderation.

Do not let exceptions rule the masses of information. The human condition is prone to a varied response and outcome but when seeking health guidance do not let the exceptions smear your vision of the evidence of the greater good.