Does anyone else get... what's the word... sick of, overwhelmed, annoyed by the contradiction of information that exists in the health and wellness world?
It's one thing to stumble upon new information that's helpful and easy to implement in your daily life, if so chosen. Like learning about the importance of fat and fermented foods in our diet, or that it would be a healthy (and resourceful) idea for me to start making my own bone broths. (not that I don't still question some of these types of things or make gradual changes)
It's entirely another thing to learn about contradictions that are contrary to what you have known to be true your entire life and seem to go against what society believes as a whole. Topics such as:
- Is sunscreen necessary? Or is it better to just soak in the sun and the benefit it provides, fighting off the harmful effects with an antioxidant rich diet. Because soaking up the sun actually fights cancer... don't worry about it causing it. (a very simplified and over-generalized summary of the article)
- The measles vaccine actually spreads the virus. Which is why as more people get vaccinated there are so many cases of the measles, right??
- Diary causes osteoporosis. You should not drink milk to have strong bones.
... and the list could go on and on.
I am naturally curious about health topics and am drawn to reading these kinds of articles.. but clearly some of them are not helpful. It's after I read the ones above that I stop and just think "really? Like what I've known my whole life to be true about these topics is actually false?!" And most of the population has no idea?! How can it be that there is this small group of people that is privy to discovering all the secrets to good health and how we should Really be living our lives?
Some topics are easy to brush off and not worry about, but with others it's harder to decide if it's actually important.
As I thought about this, I realized I do have a few "rules" of sorts for processing these kinds of things, but it doesn't always take away the uncertainty I feel after I intake new information.
(in no certain order)
1.) We live in a fallen, sinful world. There is no perfect answer to anything, nor can anyone completely control their health and environment. People that are diligent to live responsible, healthy lifestyles still get cancer (or other life-treatening diseases), while very irresponsible and careless people can live to 90 and never have an illness. At the end of the day God is sovereign and in control.
2.) God has created many people that are smarter than me and called them to jobs that I will never know much about. While there is a sect of distrust for the medical world, I have to believe that they are smarter than me, the FDA is not out to kill me, and I can kind of believe what I'm told. I don't want to live a fearful and distrustful life, questioning everything I'm told.
3.) If the general public embraces this without obvious consequences, then it's probably ok for me too. [things like vaccines, eating x,y,&z, applying sunscreen, or using gasp, store bought formula (vs homemade, if you didn't know you could actually do that)... ]
4.) Would it be stressful or expensive to implement? Then it's probably not worth it.
5.) If it's something that would affect the whole family, would Chad be on board? If I know he wouldn't or would feel dumb even bringing it up b/c he would think I'm weird/crazy, then I can probably forget about it.
6.) If it's about food I talk to my food scientist sister Amber. She provides a very practical, facts-driven, the public has no idea what they are talking about perspective. It usually brings me back to reality. Thanks Amber. :)
7.) If I find a natural alternative to the "normal" that works well and is price-comparable, I'll probably switch that... things like deodorant, cleaning supplies, lotion... most any household/personal care product. I tend to not go the homemade route due to time/energy and have found lots of Honest products I like.
8.) Stay balanced and don't get extreme in any one thing. Information is always changing. Read one article and you will feel like you should never eat carbs again, and other one will explain the importance whole grains have on your body and if you avoid them you could be missing out on good nutrients and protein your body needs. I'm waiting for the day we learn that organic is worse for you than regular food and that it's actually good for you to drink wine while you're pregnant. :)
So how do you analyze these topics? Or new information that doesn't align with what you've always thought? Maybe this all is far off your radar (which sounds kind of nice), or you are far more level-headed and can analyze much better than I?
Maybe I give way too much thought to all this stuff, and should just cut it off completely... but it is interesting and sometimes helpful, so I will probably keep reading and trying to filter the good from the bad. :)
8 comments:
Heather.. Who in the world is saying that the MMR is spreading Measles :). According to reputable sites I read the first MMR provides ~93% coverage. The second provides ~97% coverage. When a certain percentage of the population receives the immunization (~95%) then it provides herd immunity.. that is barriers of stopping the disease thus preventing it from the people unable to receive the vaccine (infants & immune compromised) & to the small percentage of those that the immunization does not cover/work for.
If you view the Disney Land outbreak I believe it was a ratio of 6:30. Six who received Measles although vaccinated & 30 who were not vaccinated. This ratio is not far off the percentages of coverage listed above. This area was known to be under the herd immunity... thus enabling rather than preventing the spread of the disease.
Contemplating diet.. I agree sugar is a poison & modified foods are a problem. I also think that if we give up sugar & modified foods then no-one will suffer for it as compared to anti-vaccinations. Not only has the research shown repetitive support of vaccinations, but the research supporting anti-vaccines has been shown to have large holes/has been thrown out.
I support a spread out schedule of vaccinations, but pediatricians have a hard time supporting this as most parents are unable to keep up with the frequent visits this creates & in the meantime patients are unprotected/spreading disease.
Hope this helps :)!! I support mothers protecting their children & challenging ideas & research, but one must not forget that the lack of vaccines leads to a very large ugly problem that our grandparents generation remembers all to well.
Ps: I did start to use California Baby sunblock due to the concern of ingredients in others, but mainly I just try to not be in the sun for more than 20-30 min/day (even while living in FL). & I started using Honest company deodorant (lack of mercury) for concerns of Breast cancer although having friends & dying from Breast cancer may be better than the way I smelled after spin today... also, I would not be so concerned if I had breast fed (decreases risk) & did not enjoy wine (increases risk) :).
I think that's a pretty reasonable way to wade through all the muck Heather :D and boy is there a lot of muck. I don't even enjoy Facebook anymore mostly because of the crazy example articles you listed. Sigh... it's like a mud fight on there. One thing I like to say against extreme things like grain free is "I'll never stop eating bread no matter what people say about it!" :D haha I do eat more sprouted these days hoping I'll somehow absorb more good stuff... At the end of the day, my genetics are not the same as the person's writing the article shunning all grain and bread may be just terrible for her. I'm just thankful my gut can handle it and I'll keep eating grain as long as humanly possible. :D yay I feel like if you look healthy people are shocked you eat meant and bread and gasp potatoes etc. I just think it's crazy we cut whole groups of food out instead of being responsible consumers of what's offered instead. That being said...I'm beginning to think too much sugar is kind of evil. I'll spare you the rant though as I'm sure you know what I mean. ;) I need to make that yogurt fruit dessert you gave me the recipe for soon... thinking of you and sugar makes me think of that dessert. :D haha
hey look...Jen and I are only a few comments short of a book! :D
Haha, Ann!!! :)..
Heather, I SO track with your thoughts! One of my goals for the beginning of the year was to nail down what supplements our family would take, do it, and not care if I read about new/better things we should do. It never ends! And I think you read my 'food philosophy' post I did awhile back. That hasn't really changed. I've been struck lately by how this type of thing can be a huge idol and distraction and divide people and that can't be good. I could go on...but yeah, totally have the same internal dilemma as you!
I'm really hoping I'm able to totally breastfeed this baby with no supplementing so I don't have to feel guilty for not making my own formula. ;)
Heave, I hear you. I get confused when one person that i think is intelligent posts an article that directly contradicts an article I just read that also seemed very logical.
And no, I didn't know you could make your own formula. :)
glad to know I'm not alone in some of these things. :)
thanks for the helpful vaccine info Jenny. I do vaccinate my boys pretty much on the regular schedule, but sometimes I'm still not 100% confident in doing it.
An - we definitely need to make/eat some of that dessert soon... will always be one of my favorites! I think it had just a tiny bit of sugar in it. :)
Em - I thought of you when I wrote this post... knew you would be right there with me. :) definitely can become an idol!
Ames... I don't think making homemade formula will ever be worth it... don't worry about it :)
Ha. My humble opinion. I take the route of not reading any of those articles. I figure if something is really ground-breaking and true I'll hear about it from so many angles and people and doctors that I'll have to believe them. Most health stuff on mom blogs and from news/non-reputable health sites are not worth reading and are just hyped up to boost traffic. And, like you, if I feel like if Ryan's reaction would be a blank, strange look, then it's not worth even bringing up the subject. He is an exacting researcher and can see through the fluff in lots of so-called studies. Fun topic!
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