Which is why I'm always amazed at the people who insist on skim milk (oops, fat-free) and the like for their kids. Do you want them stupid?

Right out of college I worked for a non-profit provider for the National Child and Adult Care Food Program (I think that's what it was called). Anyway, to make a long story short, I had to attend a lot of FDA-mandated "nutrition" training. I recall the instructor for one of these seminars telling us that "small children should NOT be placed on a fat-restricted diet," but that as SOON as they're two, kids should be switched to low-fat milk. That, and the amount of protein in an egg is the standard by which protein content is measured... but you shouldn't have more than two eggs a week. Ug.

I recall some study where kids with either behavioral or learning problems were supplemented with extra fat (mostly omega-3's) and ended up calmer and with longer attention spans. I wish I could remember where I saw it (to link), but I think it may have been a book. Plus, I'm feeling lazy today.

I was hospitalized about 20 years ago for ketone poisoning or something like that. I think they called it Toxemia. I ended up with kidney & liver problems and got hepatitis and then diabetes from it. I was sick for over a year. It was not fun being hospitalized and tied to a bed with IVs for over a month. The hepatitis went away eventually but I am still insulin dependent.

I'm convinced there is no one-size-fits-all nutrition plan. Humans are not all identical and have different needs.

I have never understood the wheat fascination that has gripped the world for years either.

I can't eat much in the way of grains, but the store next to my house has about a dozen types of bread- 10 of them being different variations of wheat. Is it a wheat producer conspiracy? The extent of my research into it consists of eying the bread isle longingly every week. I thank my "buttered white bread at every supper" upbringing for that. Even though this is probably what caused my diabetes, grains are STILL the recommended dietary choice by professionals. Are they in cahoots with the wheat conspiracy?

Fortunately, more restaurants in my area are offering gluten-free selections now. I'm not specifically gluten free, but I now pay attention, so that's a start. I feel overwhelmed already just trying to avoid the hidden sugars in everything. Who thought it was a good idea to put sugar in ketchup?

I remember a few years back there was a huge controversy between the evils of soy vs. cow milk. I don't remember which side won but at least it made some people consider the options.

Maybe that kind of conflict will heighten our societies awareness, but since health agencies promote the very foods that are worst for us, I doubt it. I don't think mainstream media will promote this topic because they have to cave to their advertisers. Maybe it's not one big thing but many little ones...

My library has a display table each month with a bunch of books on a different topic each month. Last month's topic was vampires. When I think of how to word it, I'll make a request and see if they display books on real optimal nutrition or brain function (I'm going to need suggestions!) A local library display is small potatoes, I know, but there are a lot of libraries.

I've never even heard of "conscious sedation." This scares me because I had an endoscopy earlier this year. I'm definitely going to look that up! Thanks!

"I was hospitalized about 20 years ago for ketone poisoning or something like that."

That sounds like diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a serious illness that can affect diabetics. Here's how researcher Jenny Ruhl describes it:

"DKA occurs when people have no insulin in their bodies to counteract their rising blood sugars. Unable to burn glucose without insulin, their cells begin to starve even as their blood sugar rises extremely high. The body survives by burning stored fat which produces ketones. If high levels of ketones build up in their bloodstream, which is already filled with unprocessed glucose, the acidity of the blood rises to a point where, if not treated, it damages tissues irreversibly and causes death. The symptoms of DKA are high blood sugars (300 mg/dl or higher ) and: excessive thirst, frequent urination, nausea and vomiting, Abdominal pain, loss of appetite, Weakness or fatigue, shortness of breath, fruity-scented breath, and confusion."

In other words, it affects who are already very ill and have high blood sugar. This is *very* different from ketosis, a state where carbohydrates are limited and blood sugar is therefore normal, and the body is using fat for fuel.

I'm not impressed by it either, but it remains true that most doctors, nutritionists, and health educators recommend it. My own physician recommends it as well.