Guest guest Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 Hi Jeff, Much of the discussion about oral and jaw health, jaw exercise, and the like is quite misguided. In response to our eating processed, often-poisoned foods over several generations, our bodies have made various alterations in our genetic programming (genetic encoding) and expression (epigenetic encoding). Among these alterations, our systems have attempted to compensate by shortening our jaw muscles and shrinking our oral cavity. This is THE direct cause of almost all of what we call " orthodontia " . It is THE reason most people " need " to have their wisdom teeth pulled. It causes misaligned movement through the entire range of motion of the jaw. And it is a natural variation upon one a significant structural (anatomical) distinction between humans and apes. Apes have a ridge across the forehead, and their jaw muscles attach at that point. Humans have no such ridge. As a result, apes have perhaps 50 times more bite strength than do humans. Not fully comprehending this distinction, IMO Victoria has made a mistake in her reasoning. Yes, anthropologists have observed apes (chimps in particular) consuming large quantities of green leaves (foliage). And yes, we humans are also designed to consume significant quantities of green leaves, we thrive on such a dietary. But we are not designed to consume the SAME leaves as are the apes, the other anthropoid primates. A gorilla possesses the bite strength to eat the inside of a banana tree ... the TREE, not just the leaves. We possess no such bite strength. This is why some of us, who DO correctly comprehend the anatomical differentiation involved, make a distinction between TENDER greens and all others. Our species is well designed to eat ... to chew, digest, assimilate, and eliminate ... such greens, but not harsher greens that contain much denser, harder fiber. Putting such denser, harder greens into a blender does not make them food for our species. In contrast, when we eat the more tender greens in sufficient quantity, and particularly alone (as you have so well pointed out, Jeff), we trigger precisely the " jaw exercise " we require. Chewing is integral to our eating apparatus and process, and when we eliminate the greens, we eliminate that chewing, which is to our detriment, over time. It's not that our diet does or does not require us to chew, it's that we make self-defeating food choices, live in a rush, and simply don't chew our food. We require no jaw exercisers, and no such machines can ever substitute for healthful living. True, at times a machine CAN help us " get moving " , but long-term reliance upon a machine almost always equates with improper and/or underuse of one's self. Principle for Vibrant Living: Every creature nourishes, cleanses, restores, and replenishes every part of itself through constructive activity (use). When we eat: - WHAT we are designed to eat (high-water-content fruits and tender greens) - WHEN we are designed to eat (genuine hunger) - AS we are designed to eat (relaxed, focused, chewing our food) we create health. When we do otherwise, we create otherwise. It's that simple ... really! Best to all, Elchanan _____ Jeff Rogers Tuesday, March 10, 2009 9:33 PM Re: Tooth problems I found that my teeth feel stronger when I chew " dry " greens. By dry, I mean fresh organic greens, but with no dressing, oils, or even avocado; just the greens. I suspect the teeth and gums are absorbing minerals right from the greens. The oils, etc. on the teeth and greens would act as a barrier to that process. The teeth and gums also need exercise. The western diet is far from our original diet that required a lot of chewing. Even modern raw food diets commonly use processors and blenders. So, be sure to do plenty of chewing. One tool that Victoria Boutenko has promoted is a chewing devices, such as the Myo Munchie. They are mad of either silicone or natural rubber and are chewed on to exercise the teeth and jaw. Victoria may have such a tool available (rawfamily.com). They may not be " natural " , but can give the teeth and jaw extra exercise without the same stress as hard foods. Congrats on upping the intake of greens and sun! Fruits are still important, but most fruits from far away are picked too early making them more acidic. Some people rinse immediately after eating, even when they can't brush. Rinse water with an alkalizing agent (like baking soda)will help neutralize acid in the mouth. Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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