DEAR READERS: My friend David O. Wiebers, M.D., professor emeritus of neurology at Mayo Clinic, co-authored an excellent article entitled “All Life Protection and Our Collective Future.” It was recently published in the journal Neuroepidemiology, and I present highlights below, as quoted in a news release about the article from the One Health Initiative.
Via onehealthinitiative.com:
"Climate change solutions must include changes in our food systems and in the way that we eat. 'Our global trajectory on factory farming is incompatible with the long-term survival of our species,' says lead author David O. Wiebers, M.D.
"Regarding human nutrition, the authors state, 'For the sake of humans, nonhumans and the Earth, there is a fundamental and urgent need for us to rapidly evolve toward eating forms of protein that are safer for humans, including a wide range of time-honored fundamental plant-derived food sources as well as the more recently developed plant-based meat/dairy and egg alternatives and cultured meat (produced by culturing animal cells).
"'Additional investment in plant-based agriculture to grow crops to feed humans -- rather than livestock for human consumption -- will feed far more people while utilizing far less land and water, allowing for the preservation of vital ecosystems for innumerable species. A recent University of Oxford study analyzed and valuated the health and climate change benefits of dietary change and concluded that a transition toward more plant-based diets that are in line with standard dietary guidelines could avoid 5.1 million human deaths per year and reduce food-related greenhouse gases by 29-70% by 2050.' ...
"The authors introduce the concept of All Life Protection and describe why it has now become clear that protecting all life forms is key to the survival of humankind: 'As physicians, we have a sacred obligation to protect the health and wellbeing of our collective patients. Given the profound interconnectedness of all life, it has become apparent that it is neither wise nor sufficient to approach our patients, or our world, from a purely human-centric point of reference. We call upon our colleagues and friends in these arenas to move beyond working in separate silos, to join forces in true interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary ways, and to help forge an All Life Protection movement, invoking a more advanced and inclusive concept.' ...
"They go on to say that in the absence of change, 'the coming decades will bring with them widespread environmental and agricultural devastation, massive famine, flooding, disease and warfare, with hundreds of millions of so-called climate refugees. All of this will be experienced in most of our lifetimes, and will become a dominant part of the lives of our collective children and grandchildren. Whether or not we can stop global warming is in our hands, and our collective future clearly depends upon the decisions that we are making now.'"
Dr. Fox here: I would add that the risk of dementia, now escalating, can be reduced by changing diets to include whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts (especially walnuts), legumes and olive oil, and by selecting Organically Certified foods, since many pesticides have been linked to various forms of dementia and cancer. For more details, see this article by Devatha P. Nair: sentientmedia.org/factory-farmings-toxic-relationship-with-the-pesticide-industry.
Ideally, all industrial, commercial and consumer activities should accord with the physicians’ Hippocratic oath: “First, do no harm.”
DEAR DR. FOX: Our 14-year-old, 50-pound Lab, Bo, does not like me adding a tablespoon of turmeric and ginger to his food, as you have recommended in the past. Any simple ideas to get him to like the taste? -- D.D., Winston-Salem, North Carolina
DEAR D.D.: I should always advise, when suggesting dogs be given these and other beneficial supplements for various conditions, to put in a small pinch to begin with, mixed in with wet food. Sprinkling a little Parmesan cheese on top may also entice many dogs. Then slowly add more and more to the daily amount suggested. If there is diarrhea or any signs of discomfort, reduce the quantity.
Most supplements are best given with food to facilitate digestive uptake and minimize any possible stomach-lining irritation/inflammation.
If you dog still avoids food with a small amount of ginger and turmeric, put the powders into 250 mg capsules your pharmacy may provide, and give two such capsules of each before feeding your dog.
(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.
Visit Dr. Fox’s website at DrFoxOneHealth.com.)