Dr. McDougall's Oddness

[Guest guest]

I've been studying his site, and reading his articles, and find myself

puzzled by how he mixes excellent information with odd blind spots, lapses,

and outright wrong information.

 

Example:

 

****

 

Proper Action to Save Your Life

 

Without a doubt this elevation of blood pressure above 120/80 is a serious

warning that there is " trouble down below. " Your response should not be to

hide the warning sign - the elevated blood pressure - with medication.

Your response should be to fix the trouble.

 

Now is the time to change your diet, lose weight, and exercise, as

recommended. But do it seriously with a starch-based diet, with additional

fruits and vegetables. Although not the most important recommendation,

salt intake should be kept low (We recommend sprinkling it on the surface

of the foods rather than cooking with it, for more taste and less sodium.)

Exercise daily. When you do both of the diet and exercise suggestions

correctly, then you will effortlessly attain, and then maintain that ideal

weight - and avoid blood pressure medication and most future health

problems... "

 

*****

 

Note that he considers high blood pressure a warning, not a condition.

Okay, perhaps fair enough. However, his last sentence is patently absurd.

I know. I eat very well, exercise daily, and yet if I go off my blood

pressure meds, or drink caffeine, my BP shoots right up. I was told this

is probably due to my adrenals, the hormones that tend to rev us up.

 

In any case, McDougall's last sentence smacks to me of panacea, and of

snake oil. He seems to be selling an easy way out. And while I am all

for avoiding pharmaceuticals to the degree possible, I'm not sure it's

wise to advise people in such a vague and general way that they can

effortlessly attain or maintain anything. Individuals vary greatly and

there is simply no really basic true that applies to ALL of us.

 

 

 

You cannot find Buddha nature by vivisection. Reality cannot be caught by

thinking or feeling mind. Moment after moment to watch your breathing, to

watch your posture, is true nature. There is no secret beyond this point.

 

-Shunryu Suzuki, " Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind "

[Guest guest]

>However, his last sentence is patently absurd.I know. I >eat very well,

exercise daily, and yet if I go off my >blood pressure meds, or drink caffeine,

my BP shoots >right up.

 

This makes a lot of sense. I know my mom was not over weight but she still had

high BP. I believe that diet and exercise does play a big role in our health.

But it can't control everything. There's going to be times when we'll need

medication no matter how well we take care of ourselves. Thanks for your in put.

 

 

~Janice~

Be your own cheerleader! Encourage yourself every step of the way!

 

Nobody can make you feel inferior without your permission.

-Eleanor Roosevelt-

 

" Do not blame others for making you mad. Anger is a choice. Choose wisely "

 

If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be a vegetarian.

~Paul McCartney ~