Chronic diseases- The root causes
Written By: Milos Pokimica
Medically Reviewed by: Dr. Xiùying Wáng, M.D.
Updated June 9, 2023Chronic diseases are conditions that last 1 year or more and cannot easily be cured. For most chronic diseases, there are only treatments that can help with the symptoms and most of them will require ongoing medical attention and will limit activities. They are also leading drivers of a trillion dollars in annual healthcare costs. Chronic diseases are the leading causes of death and disability in the world and cause the death of more people in a year than most of the wars in entire human history combined.
Chronic diseases are a wide range of different conditions such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes and at first, sight has nothing in common. How could such a wide range of different conditions have a common root cause?
It is about genetic predisposition, right? That is a common belief. If we are going to have some disease that is just how it is. There is nothing we can do about it.
The answer is no. If we disregard the real genetic causes that cause no more than 5% of deaths, the real reason is evolutionary incongruent diet and lifestyle. In most cases, the disease is a choice. For example, some level of cancer will be present in animals too, but 23.4% of all deaths just from cancer are not from genetic causes. This is an open secret number one that people just don’t like to talk about. The medical industry will openly avoid this topic also. The medical industry (allopathic medicine) is based on interventional treatments and patented drugs.
The evolution of the hominin diet is an important topic that plays a role in our understanding of our physiology. Our body is created by more than 50 million years of evolution. Genes are passed from one species to another. That is a reason why some species like chimpanzees have 99% of the same genetic structure as Homo sapiens.
We have to understand how we came into existence and after that what diet and style of living should we have that is going to be in line with our physiology.
Genetical predisposition is only half of the picture. The real reason is an abrupt shift in our diet that has caused maladaptation and as a result, individual genetic predisposition will be a source of one or the other chronic disease. But the root cause is maladaptation. Someone will have diabetes someone will die from cancer and a third person will have a heart attack depending on individual resilience but we all going to die from some of them because we all eat animal products that we are not adapted to eating in high amounts. We could cope with some meat sometimes but not in the excessive amounts that we would like.
Maybe 10 million years from now we would not have to worry about diet anymore because our bodies will adapt but until that time chronic disease can only be prevented with diet and with a lifestyle that is in line with the lifestyle of our hominin ancestors. Meaning physical activity, periodical fasting with normal weight maintenance, avoidance of pollution, and a plant-based whole-food diet. That is what means to have a “healthy” life. It is just a lifestyle that we are adapted to by evolution. Everything can be “healthy” but not everything can be healthy for us.
For example, excess cholesterol causes atherosclerosis (fatty deposits that can clog arteries) and then causes heart disease. Number one killer in the world. We do not need dietary cholesterol (animal products) because our liver produces it. For us as for any other plant either it is not an essential nutrient. Our liver creates as much as we need so any dietary cholesterol at any time in our entire life, one mg of it is excess that needs to be detoxified. Also, no our body does not have to have cholesterol to make every cell in our body, our liver makes all cholesterol we need our entire life every second of it. Why? Because we are not carnivores. Livers of carnivores do not make cholesterol, for them, cholesterol is an essential nutrient. They do not need to because carnivores eat cholesterol in every bite of meat, so they are adapted to eating it by evolution, and we are not. No matter how much cholesterol you feed to your cat she will never develop heart disease. Cats are adapted to eating it in any amount that they want. And we are not.
Eating animal products is therefore associated with shortening life expectancy because our number 1 killer is heart disease and number 3 stroke (basically the same disease as a heart disease just different outcome). If our number one killer is something completely uncorrelated for example bubonic plague-like in the Middle Ages, then we would not have to be worrying about cholesterol at all, we will have to be worrying about sanitation. At this time in our evolution situation is like it is. Cancer is a significantly lifestyle disease too. Genetics plays a role, but lifestyle is as much as important as genetics because of the toxic overload and mutagens from food and external intoxication and also the inherent lack of an adequate level of self-repairing autophagy mechanism (fasting). The very important risk factor in cancer is chronic inflammation and an impaired immune system. Most of the population today has high levels of chronic inflammation. Then there is on a wide population scale the lack of some essential micronutrients (essential and some important non-essential micronutrients, not calories) and antioxidants. On one hand, we have inflammatory compounds, toxins, and mutagens that come from animal products but on another hand lack micronutrients and antioxidants that come from plant sources. Also, then there is a chronic elevation of cancer-promoting hormones like IGF-1 and estrogen. Complete protein that is present in animal products stimulates IGF-1, especially in a high protein-rich diet and estrogen usually comes from dairy. This is just an example, the real list of associations is a never-ending story but it all comes down to an unnatural diet.
Just these three diseases stroke, heart disease, and cancer are causing more than 50% of deaths, and all three are substantially dependent on a diet. When we look at the list of 15 leading causes of death more than 80% are lifestyle influenced.
Everyone in the medical field knows this, all doctors, all scientists, and all industries. Well maybe not all of the doctors, some are just bad. The only ones that have a big problem with this are us, regular people because we like the way we live and we would not like to change anything in the way we eat. We will go to MDs if we have any problems right. Doctors are just there to do their job of prescribing pills. They are not there to care for you. Only you can take care of yourself. The problem is you don’t want to. You want the pill.
We like our dopamine-inducing drugs (supernormal stimuli) in the form of food and any other variation. The most convenient way would be to find some research that is in line with what we like and then use it as an excuse. Then we can go to the medical doctor to get some magic pills.
If we don’t understand the underlying logic of our behavior patterns then nothing can help us, no practical advice will be enough.
Science cannot govern our every act. We must logically govern ourselves and our behaviors in a line of understanding of our history and how we came into existence.
In reality, we need to take a look at the lives of our ancestors over a long time spread than just the paleo period so that we could reconstruct our natural diet.
References:
Passages selected from a book: Pokimica, Milos. Go Vegan? Review of Science Part 1. Kindle ed., Amazon, 2018.
- Sinha, Rashmi et al. “Meat intake and mortality: a prospective study of over half a million people.” Archives of internal medicine vol. 169,6 (2009): 562-71. doi:10.1001/archinternmed.2009.6
- Dinu, Monica et al. “Vegetarian, vegan diets and multiple health outcomes: A systematic review with meta-analysis of observational studies.” Critical reviews in food science and nutrition vol. 57,17 (2017): 3640-3649. doi:10.1080/10408398.2016.1138447
- RYLE, J A, and W T RUSSELL. “The natural history of coronary disease; a clinical and epidemiological study.” British heart journal vol. 11,4 (1949): 370-89. doi:10.1136/hrt.11.4.370
- Chapel, John M et al. “Prevalence and Medical Costs of Chronic Diseases Among Adult Medicaid Beneficiaries.” American journal of preventive medicine vol. 53,6S2 (2017): S143-S154. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2017.07.019
- Zhang, Yu-Jie et al. “Antioxidant Phytochemicals for the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Diseases.” Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 20,12 21138-56. 27 Nov. 2015, doi:10.3390/molecules201219753
- Booth, Frank W et al. “Lack of exercise is a major cause of chronic diseases.” Comprehensive Physiology vol. 2,2 (2012): 1143-211. doi:10.1002/cphy.c110025
- Generali, Elena, et al. “Lessons Learned From Twins in Autoimmune and Chronic Inflammatory Diseases.” Journal of Autoimmunity, vol. 83, Elsevier BV, Sept. 2017, pp. 51–61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaut.2017.04.005.
- Lewandowska, Anna Maria et al. “Environmental risk factors for cancer – review paper.” Annals of agricultural and environmental medicine : AAEM vol. 26,1 (2019): 1-7. doi:10.26444/aaem/94299
- Fardet, Anthony, and Yves Boirie. “Associations between food and beverage groups and major diet-related chronic diseases: an exhaustive review of pooled/meta-analyses and systematic reviews.” Nutrition reviews vol. 72,12 (2014): 741-62. doi:10.1111/nure.12153
- Campbell, T Colin. “Cancer Prevention and Treatment by Wholistic Nutrition.” Journal of nature and science vol. 3,10 (2017): e448. [PubMed]
Related Posts
Do you have any questions about nutrition and health?
I would love to hear from you and answer them in my next post. I appreciate your input and opinion and I look forward to hearing from you soon. I also invite you to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for more diet, nutrition, and health content. You can leave a comment there and connect with other health enthusiasts, share your tips and experiences, and get support and encouragement from our team and community.
I hope that this post was informative and enjoyable for you and that you are prepared to apply the insights you learned. If you found this post helpful, please share it with your friends and family who might also benefit from it. You never know who might need some guidance and support on their health journey.
– You Might Also Like –
Learn About Nutrition
Milos Pokimica is a doctor of natural medicine, clinical nutritionist, medical health and nutrition writer, and nutritional science advisor. Author of the book series Go Vegan? Review of Science, he also operates the natural health website GoVeganWay.com
Medical Disclaimer
GoVeganWay.com brings you reviews of the latest nutrition and health-related research. The information provided represents the personal opinion of the author and is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The information provided is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider.NEVER DISREGARD PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE OR DELAY SEEKING MEDICAL TREATMENT BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ ON OR ACCESSED THROUGH GoVeganWay.com
NEVER APPLY ANY LIFESTYLE CHANGES OR ANY CHANGES AT ALL AS A CONSEQUENCE OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ IN GoVeganWay.com BEFORE CONSULTING LICENCED MEDICAL PRACTITIONER.
In the event of a medical emergency, call a doctor or 911 immediately. GoVeganWay.com does not recommend or endorse any specific groups, organizations, tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned inside.
Editor Picks –
Milos Pokimica is a doctor of natural medicine, clinical nutritionist, medical health and nutrition writer, and nutritional science advisor. Author of the book series Go Vegan? Review of Science, he also operates the natural health website GoVeganWay.com
Latest Articles –
Plant Based News
-
Protein Found In Meat Linked To Increased Risk Of Arthritis
on April 12, 2024
-
Try This Easy Quinoa And Edamame Salad
on April 12, 2024
-
Switzerland’s Inaction On Climate Crisis Breaches Human Rights, Says Landmark Court Case
on April 12, 2024
-
Eat At Least 75% Plant-Based Foods, Say Germany’s New Dietary Guidelines
on April 12, 2024
-
Don’t Believe The Myths: The Horse Racing Industry Is Rotten To Its Core
on April 12, 2024
-
South Africa Rules That Vegan Meat Cannot Be Seized From Supermarket Shelves
on April 11, 2024
-
Kale Is One Of The Best Foods We Can Eat – 10 Recipes To Try
on April 11, 2024
Top Health News — ScienceDaily
- Inherited predisposition for higher muscle strength may protect against common morbiditieson April 12, 2024
A study showed that a genetic predisposition for higher muscle strength predicts a longer lifespan and a lower risk for developing common diseases. This is a highly comprehensive international study on hereditary muscle strength and its relationship to morbidity. The genome and health data of more than 340,000 Finns was used in the research.
- A novel machine learning model for the characterization of material surfaceson April 12, 2024
Machine learning (ML) enables the accurate and efficient computation of fundamental electronic properties of binary and ternary oxide surfaces, as shown by scientists. Their ML-based model could be extended to other compounds and properties. The present research findings can aid in the screening of surface properties of materials as well as in the development of functional materials.
- Scientists uncover a missing link between poor diet and higher cancer riskon April 12, 2024
A research team has unearthed new findings which may help explain the connection between cancer risk and poor diet, as well as common diseases like diabetes, which arise from poor diet. The insights gained from this study hold promise for advancing cancer prevention strategies aimed at promoting healthy aging.
- PFAS exposure from high seafood diets may be underestimatedon April 12, 2024
A study suggests that people with diets high in seafood may face a greater risk of exposure to PFAS — the family of human-made toxins known as ‘forever chemicals’ — than previously thought. The researchers stress the need for more stringent public health guidelines that establish how much seafood people can safely consume to limit their exposure, particularly in coastal areas where seafood is frequently eaten.
- Choosing sugary drinks over fruit juice for toddlers linked to risk of adult obesityon April 12, 2024
Consuming sugar-sweetened drinks in the first few years of childhood can be linked to poor diet patterns that increase the risk of obesity in later life, according to a new study.
- Melanomas resist drugs by ‘breaking’ geneson April 12, 2024
A study has disentangled the mechanisms behind one of the ways melanoma cancer cells develop resistance to treatment. The study found that, in response to some drugs, melanomas can ‘break’ parts of their BRAF gene, which is mutated in 1 in 2 melanomas. This helps the tumor create alternative versions of the protein which lack regions targeted by one BRAF inhibitors, one of the main drugs used to treat this type of cancer, making treatment less effective. The findings pave the way for […]
- Cells putting on a faceon April 12, 2024
Neural crest cells — embryonic pluripotent cells within the facial primordium — may be necessary for forming proper animal facial structures. Researchers have produced neural crest cell-rich aggregates from human pluripotent stem cells and developed a method to differentiate them in cell populations with a branchial arch-like gene expression pattern.
PubMed, #vegan-diet –
- Changes in the consumption of isoflavones, omega-6, and omega-3 fatty acids in women with metastatic breast cancer adopting a whole-food, plant-based diet: post-hoc analysis of nutrient intake data…on April 5, 2024
CONCLUSION: Transitioning to a WFPB diet resulted in significantly increased isoflavone intake and decreased n-6:n-3 ratio in women with breast cancer.
- A whole food, plant-based randomized controlled trial in metastatic breast cancer: feasibility, nutrient, and patient-reported outcomeson March 30, 2024
CONCLUSIONS: Significant dietary changes in this population are feasible and may improve QOL by improving treatment-related symptoms. Additional study is warranted.
- Restrictive Diets in Patients with Fibromyalgia: State of the Arton March 28, 2024
Around 20-30% of Fibromyalgia patients modify their dietary habits after diagnosis, including avoiding certain food groups such as cereals. In this systematic review, we used the PRISMA guidelines to select the main studies that have evaluated the effectiveness of restrictive diets, including elimination and vegetarian diets, in patients with Fibromyalgia. Data on vegetarian/vegan diets are more consistent than data on elimination diets due to higher quality and better results of the […]
- Dietary Intakes of Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Impulsivity: Comparing Non-Restricted, Vegetarian, and Vegan Dietson March 28, 2024
CONCLUSIONS: The significantly lower omega-3 LCPUFA dietary intakes in the vegan diets were associated with higher scores in the second-order attentional aspect of self-reported impulsiveness.
- Impact of iodine supply in infancy and childhoodon March 28, 2024
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To assess the most relevant articles on the impact of iodine supply in at-risk populations, namely infants and young children, pregnant and lactating women.
Random Posts –
Featured Posts –
Latest from PubMed, #plant-based diet –
- Fruit Quality Assessment of Novel Hybrid Pummelo × Sweet Orange and Its Molecular Characterization Using Acidity Specific Markersby Raushan Kumar on April 11, 2024
RESEARCH BACKGROUND: There is considerable diversity in newly developed pummelo × sweet orange citrus hybrids. Most hybrids showed lower peel thickness and high juice yield but there is a lack of information on fruit quality parameters and molecular characterization. Therefore, the aim of the current study is to determine the content of antioxidants and properties of the fresh juice of 24 new pummelo × sweet orange citrus hybrids (Citrus maxima [Burm. f.] Osbeck × Citrus sinensis [L.] […]
- Environmental conditions affect the nutritive value and alkaloid profiles of Lupinus forage: Opportunities and threats for sustainable ruminant systemsby Ana R J Cabrita on April 10, 2024
The identification of crops that simultaneously contribute to the global protein supply and mitigate the effects of climate change is an urgent matter. Lupins are well adapted to nutrient-poor or contaminated soils, tolerate various abiotic stresses, and present relevant traits for acting as ecosystem engineers. Lupins are best studied for their seeds, but their full foraging potential needs further evaluation. This study evaluated the effects of location and sowing date on forage production,…
- Stronger together than apart: The role of social support in adopting a healthy plant-based eating patternby Robin Ortiz on April 10, 2024
The influence of the social environment on health behaviors is well documented. In recent years, there is mounting evidence of the health benefits of a plant-based eating pattern, yet little is known about how the social environment impacts the adoption of a plant-based eating pattern, specifically. In this convergent parallel mixed-methods study, we analyzed quantitative survey data and qualitative focus group data to assess how social support impacted participants of a lifestyle medicine…
- Simultaneous detection of mycotoxins and pesticides in human urine samples: A 24-h diet intervention study comparing conventional and organic diets in Spainby Jose A Gallardo-Ramos on April 10, 2024
Pesticides and mycotoxins, prominent chemical hazards in the food chain, are commonly found in plant-based foods, contributing to their pervasive presence in the human body, as evidenced by biomonitoring programs. Despite this, there is limited knowledge about their co-occurrence patterns. While intervention studies have demonstrated that organic diets can significantly reduce pesticide levels, their impact on mycotoxin exposure has been overlooked. To address this gap, this study pursued two…
- Plant-based meat analogues (PBMAs) and their effects on cardiometabolic health: An 8-week randomized controlled trial comparing PBMAs with their corresponding animal-based foodsby Darel Wee Kiat Toh on April 10, 2024
CONCLUSIONS: A plant-based meat analogues diet did not show widespread cardiometabolic health benefits compared with omnivorous diets over 8 weeks. The composition of PBMAs may need to be considered in future trials.
- Adherence to the Mediterranean diet in two Moroccan populations living at different distances from the Mediterranean Seaby Mohamed Mziwira on April 8, 2024
CONCLUSION: The study data indicate that Mediterranean Diet is far from being a global pattern in this Moroccan population. The study draws attention to the need for a promoting intervention to maintain this pattern as the original diet in the region.