Thoughts on Health

First, a little background. Out of thirteen uncles, there are only two who are still alive, both blood relatives on moms' side of the family. All of my other uncles (blood and non-blood) and pops were victims of cancer or other chronic illnesses. My uncles and pops all lived beyond 65 years of age, though. Pops' was one month short of 78 years when he succumbed to cancer. Out of fourteen aunts, only three have passed on, one being a blood relative. My other living aunts (blood and non-blood) and moms have experienced extreme longevity.

I have about 40 first cousins. Age-wise, I am at the arithmetic mean. My bro is the youngest on both sides of the family. My cousin Tammy on moms' side of the family had a large tumor removed at a young age. My cousin Greg, also on moms' side, has Type 2 diabetes. My cousin Kenny, on pops' side, had polio. I know of no other health issues amongst the cousins.

Typical Healthy Hottie

With that said, I have been observing the type of food consumed by my bro's family. My bro is ten years my junior. My sister-in-law is three years younger than me. And, my nephew is almost exactly 40 years younger. So, the food ...

Lots and lots of what I would classify as junk food. Lots of snacks, candy, lard-based pastries, all kinds of chips, crackers, sugary cereals, cakes, pies. Lots of canned soft drinks and juices. Lots of red meat, pork, and poultry products. Lots of frozen products. Very little fruits and vegetables. My bro's family also consumes lots of fast food. They have eaten that way for as long as I know. So, my bro's family is inundated with high quantities of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), oil, lard, saturated fats, artificial flavors, artificial coloring, preservatives, salt, sodium, leeched plasticizers, and more.

Surprisingly, no one is overweight or obese. My bro may be packing an additional five pounds or so because he consumes two bottles of beer every night. Aside from that, there are no health issues, no signs of malnutrition, no food complications. None whatsoever.

Contrast that to the "chef" of Slob Manor (read: rental housing) fame. He spend six hours minimum daily in the kitchen concocting organic culinary monstrosities and shamanistic potions to stave off phantom illnesses and imaginary disorders. That's six hours or more out his life every day. Add to that the cost of the organic food and esoteric ingredients. My bro's family can purchase three times as much food for every dollar spent on organics by the "chef."

The bottom line ... Is the 30-year-old "chef" any healthier than my bro and sister-in-law (who are much older than he is)? Obviously not. And, rest assured that my bro's family is certainly not wasting six or more hours per day preparing food in the kitchen.

Well, I had made drastic changes to my diet in the past, fueled by a moderate level of paranoia. Then, I came to my senses. I now apply a more practical approach by avoiding questionable foods with dubious ingredients when possible. I am also allowing myself to consume more junk food. So, is the alleged poisonous food a cause for concern? Is a family medical background an accurate health predictor? You be the judge.