The reason why things are continuously deteriorating is simply because we have failed to address the root cause: our food. Instead of focusing on fixing people or their behavior, we need to acknowledge that the real problem lies in our cellular nutritional status.

Extensive research, including my own, has shown that the shift from a wholesome, low-sugar, high-fiber diet to a processed food diet, which is high in sugar and low in fiber, is what has led to the global epidemic of chronic diseases. This issue is not limited to just one country like the United States, the UK, or Australia; it is a worldwide debacle. It is high time we prioritize fixing our food system or, at the very least, explore innovative technologies to make processed food healthier.

Serotonin, the rarest amino acid in our diet, is not commonly found in heavily processed foods. Instead, you can find it in natural sources like eggs, chicken, and fish. Although these may sound like processed foods to some, they actually contain a decent amount of serotonin. However, if you are insulin resistant, your liver redirects the serotonin to an inactive form, resulting in even lower levels of this important neurotransmitter. This means that for over 50 years, we have been experiencing a serotonin deficiency, which has been further exacerbated by the widespread use of cell phones. It's quite alarming to realize that we now have not just one, but two problems that contribute to our mental health issues.

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Misuse of Technology

In the 1980s and 1990s, scientists eagerly embraced the invention of recombinant DNA technology. They wasted no time in rushing to the table to develop guidelines and regulations to ensure its responsible use. Just like with gene editing technology, known as CRISPR, as soon as it was invented, scientists immediately sat down to negotiate a treaty on its usage. This demonstrates our long-standing recognition that technology can easily slip out of our control, and it is crucial to rein it in to prevent any misuse. However, when it comes to social media and AI, we face a significant problem. Who are the "bad guys"? Is it solely driven by greed and profit? Are Elon, Mark, and a few others the culprits? It's a complex issue that needs careful consideration.

The food industry and the tobacco industry have a long history of buying out food companies and addicting people to sugar. These actions have been going on for ages, and it's just human nature. It's surprising that many people today fail to see this, even though it's happening right in front of them. We have lessons from history, yet we still can't seem to recognize it. Just take a look at slavery, which was also a very dark part of human history, but for the same reasons – addiction.

Take a moment to consider the opioid epidemic. Our brains are wired to seek reward, as it serves as a powerful motivator in our lives. I want to make it clear that I am not against the concept of reward itself. However, I am strongly against addiction. Now, what sets reward apart from addiction? The answer lies in stress. When we experience a reward, we enjoy it and desire more of it. But when stress enters the equation, our desire for that reward turns into a desperate need. It becomes an all-consuming obsession, to the point where we would pay any price to satisfy that craving. This is when we find ourselves spiraling into the depths of addiction.

 The impact of technology on teenagers is alarming. From shopping to gambling, internet gaming to social media, and even pornography, all of these activities activate the reward system in the brain. This is particularly concerning because the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain that controls the reward system, isn't fully developed until age 25. As a result, teenagers are highly susceptible to the addictive nature of these activities, leading to a rise in teenage addiction and depression. It's time we recognize the negative impact of technology on our youth and take steps to protect them from its harmful effects.

Taking a break from work is essential, you know. While work is inherently productive and can bring financial benefits, it can also have its downsides. Just like how work can be a driving force in our lives, it's important to remember that it won't lead to immediate harm. It's similar to cigarettes, which may pose risks in the long run but won't cause immediate damage. So, the real question is, how can you find a way to pause and recharge amidst the hustle and bustle of work. 

How many individuals do you personally know who claim to have an insatiable craving for sweets? It's quite common for people to mistake their intense desire for sugar as a mere "sweet tooth," when in reality, it could be a full-blown sugar addiction. Interestingly, many of them are unaware of their addiction and genuinely believe that they just have a strong affinity for sugary treats. Moreover, they often convince themselves that they can indulge whenever they please due to the easy accessibility, affordability, and delightful taste of sugary delights. Unfortunately, they remain oblivious to the fact that their addiction could potentially have fatal consequences.

They've been informed that a calorie is a calorie. They've been told that it doesn't matter because it's just calories. So, you might try cutting back on the portion of steak you have for dinner because you indulged in those Lindor truffles beforehand. But let me tell you, that approach simply doesn't work. It just doesn't work. It doesn't work at all. The bottom line is, if we want to embrace personal responsibility, which seems to be what we desire in Western society for everyone, then we need to meet four specific criteria to truly embody that ideology. 

This is the confusing propaganda that misleads us all

There's no such thing as a "balanced diet" & nutrition isn't merely food. Why is that? It's because we're all individuals. Orthomolecular nutrition is the individualized analysis application of the substances within the food which our bodies often do not obtain enough of and are often blocked by antagonists.

In order to truly understand the challenges we face with our food choices, we must consider four important factors. Firstly, accessibility plays a crucial role. If you venture into the heartland of the United States and visit any grocery or convenience store, you'll notice a lack of healthy options. Instead, what you'll find are shelves stocked with ultra-processed foods, like the infamous 10-year-old Twinkie. So, if access to nutritious food is limited, how can we expect individuals to exercise personal responsibility?

Secondly, affordability is key. It's not just about being able to afford the food you want, but also about society's ability to support your choices. What if you can't afford healthier options because they aren't covered by food stamps? And what if society can't afford your choices because the burden of chronic metabolic diseases is straining healthcare systems, like Medicare, which is projected to go broke by 2026? These affordability issues pose significant challenges to personal responsibility.

Thirdly, we must consider the externalities of our consumption. Just like secondhand smoke from tobacco or the dangers of drunk driving from alcohol, there are consequences to excessive sugar consumption. The impact of sugar on our health leads to the death of Medicare and the overwhelming demand for medical services. Emergency rooms are overcrowded, making it difficult to access care, and dialysis units are filled with individuals suffering from diabetic nephropathy. These externalities highlight the broader implications of personal choices.

Lastly, we need to acknowledge that this is not solely a personal responsibility problem but a public health issue. All four criteria - accessibility, affordability, externalities, and personal responsibility - are not being met. It's clear that invoking personal responsibility alone is not the solution. We must address this as a collective challenge and work towards creating a healthier society for all.

Generally any food or drink with a label means modified food

Politicians need to acknowledge the importance of addressing this issue and take action by implementing laws that support the general public, just like we did with cigarettes. We should strongly believe that unless we make efforts to improve the quality of our food, there won't be any positive outcomes.

Real food doesn't come with a label. If it does, it means something has been done to it. Let's take broccoli for example, it doesn't have a label because nothing has been done to it. Same goes for a radish or an orange. However, when it comes to orange juice, there is a label because something has been done to it. The fiber has been removed and possibly other things too. The moment real food undergoes any kind of processing, that's when a label appears. So, instead of just looking at the nutrition facts label, we should see it as a warning label. The problem is, the current label only tells us what's in the food, not what's been done to it. And that's what really matters. All food is inherently good, it's the degree of processing that's not. Unfortunately, the food industry doesn't want to disclose that information because they know we wouldn't eat it if we knew. So, we're being kept from the vital information we actually need.

It's an incredible digital tool, a recommendation engine, that seamlessly collaborates with any grocery store across the globe. Here's the deal: it not only identifies the items available in your chosen store but also takes into account your unique biochemical profile. By inputting this information, a series of filters are activated, sifting through all the ingredients present in the store. The result? You'll only be shown products that align with your metabolic health goals and have the potential to enhance your lifespan. No more wasting time on unhealthy options that could harm you. With this ingenious system, you'll exclusively see what truly promotes your well-being.

Hazards of Extending Shelf Life of Food

Pasteurization and homogenization are techniques employed to extend the shelf life of food products. Let's consider milk as an example, even though I personally do not consume it anymore, it remains easily accessible in any grocery store. Pasteurization plays a crucial role in eliminating harmful bacteria such as tuberculosis, thus ensuring the safety of the food. However, our current discussion primarily revolves around the influence of these procedures on chronic illnesses.

Let us provide you with an illustration of how food can be altered. Emulsifiers are substances that can hold fat and water together. They have a polar end on one side and a non-polar end on the other side, which makes them biochemically unique. Phospholipids are an example of emulsifiers, with the polar end being phospho and the non-polar end being lipids. This property of emulsifiers allows them to be used in a variety of applications, including laundry detergents, where they help remove stains from clothes. Tide, a popular laundry detergent, is an emulsifier. However, if you swallow an emulsifier, such as a Tide pod, it can be harmful to your health.

Tide Pods, which bear a striking resemblance to candies, have unfortunately caused numerous poisonings among toddlers. This is due to the fact that emulsifiers found in the pods strip away the mucin layer of your intestinal epithelial cells. This layer is one of three barriers that keep harmful substances in your intestine and out of your bloodstream. Essentially, your intestine acts as a sewer system for your body.

The intestine is a complex system that has three different barriers to protect the body from harmful substances. The first barrier is the physical barrier, which is made up of the mucin layer. The second barrier is the biochemical barrier, which is composed of tight junctions that hold cells together and prevent harmful substances from entering. The third barrier is the immunological barrier, which is made up of lymphocytes that fight off foreign invaders and release a cytokine called il17. Emulsifiers can strip the mucin layer off the surface of the intestinal epithelial, which can lead to bacteria sitting on top of the cells and causing local ulcerations. This can be a contributing factor to conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.

It has been demonstrated that individuals diagnosed with IBS or IBD experience improvements in their condition when transitioning to a diet consisting of whole, unprocessed foods.

Sugar has the ability to deplete ATP from intestinal cells. Additionally, fructose, which is a sweet molecule found in sugar, along with sugar nitrates, can negatively affect tight junction proteins. These proteins are responsible for holding cells together, but when they are compromised, it can lead to a leaky gut. Consequently, substances can pass through the intestinal barrier and enter the bloodstream. This can potentially cause inflammation or even trigger allergies to specific foods. The development of a food allergy occurs when the immune system recognizes certain peptides as foreign and generates an antibody response. It is worth noting that high-fat diets have been found to maintain the immunologic barrier formed by TH7 cells. 

The prevalence of IBS and IBD has been on the rise, and one of the contributing factors is the consumption of ultra-processed foods. While there are other factors at play, the biochemical barrier of tight junctions is a crucial aspect to consider. These tight junctions, which are made up of proteins such as zulin, can fail in conditions like Celiac disease. It's important to note that these proteins require ATP to function properly, but sugar and fructose can deplete ATP levels, leading to a leaky gut. This can cause inflammation and even food allergies, as foreign peptides can enter the bloodstream and trigger an immune response.

The immunologic barrier is disrupted by the TH7 cells, resulting in the maintenance of high fat diets. Conversely, high fat and high sugar diets lead to the destruction of this barrier, allowing for the influx of harmful substances. Essentially, the Western diet is both obesogenic and immunogenic, causing inflammation and encompassing everything that is undesirable. It is astonishing to note that this is currently the case for 90% of the food available worldwide. In order to achieve metabolic health, it is necessary to completely redesign the food environment.

Fixing Ultra-processed Food

It is possible to meet those three criteria by reengineering Ultra processed food. If you possess the knowledge and expertise, you can definitely achieve it. KDD is one of those companies that has done it with the help of other companies. CPG companies have started to recognize the negative effects of the food they promote and have implemented strategies to decrease the levels of salt, sugar, and fat. However, the negative impacts of ultraprocessed foods are much more intricate than just one ingredient, and cannot be improved by basic substitutions. In the last two years, the authors have collaborated with the Kuwaiti Danish Dairy Company (KDD) to thoroughly assess the scientific aspects of their entire range of food and beverage products.

A thorough analysis of the nutrients, additives, and toxins present in KDD's products was conducted to determine their exact composition and the potential health effects of processing. To achieve this, the authors established a Scientific Advisory Team (SAT) and developed a tiered "Metabolic Matrix" based on three science-based principles: protecting the liver, nourishing the gut, and supporting the brain. The Metabolic Matrix classifies each product and provides criteria, metrics, and recommendations for improvement or reformulation. Real-time collaboration with the KDD Executive and Operations teams was crucial to ensure the success of these procedures. This scientific endeavor has allowed KDD to lay the foundation for enhancing the health, well-being, and sustainability of their entire product range, while still maintaining taste, economic, and financial feasibility.

To accomplish a task, one must possess the determination to see it through. However, when it comes to making changes in the food industry, it requires more than just personal willpower. It demands political willpower, a clear understanding of the purpose behind the changes, and a commitment to honesty. Unfortunately, the food industry and politicians often lack these qualities and are unwilling to acknowledge the need for change.

Various foods are treated with pesticides and other substances that can have a negative impact on their healthfulness. Some of these pesticides are known to be obesogenic, meaning they can contribute to weight gain. Environmental obesogens like Chlor Parafaas and DDT can activate transcription factors in our cells and mimic the effects of hormones, leading to tissue development and potential health problems. To avoid these harmful substances, it is recommended to eat organic foods.

The issue at hand is the insufficient availability of organic food worldwide to cater to the demand and necessity of individuals. Currently, organic food comprises only 1 to 2% of the total food supply, which poses a significant challenge. Therefore, the crucial question arises:

Do We Need All Organic Food?

Do we need everything organic? No, organic produce is not necessary for everything. If the produce has a hard skin like an apple, it can be washed and that's good enough. However, if it has a soft skin like a berry, it cannot be washed and should be organic. As for meat, it is important to choose organic because non-organic meat has been treated with antibiotics that can affect your intestine and cause metabolic disruption. While there are certain things that can be bought non-organic and still be okay, there are many things that should be organic due to the chemicals used.

Making a general claim solely based on the term "organic" is somewhat overlooking the main issue. Moreover, it is important to acknowledge that this approach is not scalable and also comes with a high cost. We’re striving to be practical and logical in our suggestions here. Regardless of the specific diet of animals, such as cows, whether they are consuming grass-fed or any other type of feed, they may still require antibiotics if they fall ill. The reason behind cows needing antibiotics is their inadequate cellular nutrition.

A cow's typical diet consists of grass, clover, and alfalfa. However, in America, corn is often included in their routine diet, which is not sufficient in providing all the necessary nutrients for the cow's well-being. As a result, these cows may become malnourished and more susceptible to illnesses. Additionally, their living conditions may contribute to their poor health as they are often confined to their stalls and surrounded by their own excrement.

Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) pose a higher risk for disease among animals, leading to the necessity of administering antibiotics by animal farmers to prevent mass mortality. This practice ensures that the animals continue to grow until they are ready for slaughter. Consequently, the meat produced from these animals is marbled with fat, which is highly valued in American cuisine due to its flavorful qualities.

It is important to note that this marbling is a result of intra-myocellular lipid, which is essentially fat within the muscle. This fat content is comparable to metabolic syndrome in humans. The key distinction, however, is that we humanely euthanize the animals before they succumb to the disease. 

Therefore, we are providing unhealthy individuals with unwholesome meals. This situation is quite disheartening, and it is only natural to anticipate such outcomes. Consequently, it is imperative that we rectify the issue with the food.

Tectonic Shifts in Society: How they happen

How do we fix the food? Much like we fixed other major health and safety concerns. So many people are concerned about the politician-branded “climate change,” but many do not realize when you fix the food you fix the climate.

During the discussions in the UK Parliament regarding the implementation of seat belts, Lord Baler introduced the term "Nanny State". This concept originated from Australia, where seat belts were invented in 1968. Recognizing the potential of seat belts in saving lives, the Australian government made it mandatory for all cars in the country to have seat belts, despite the lack of proven effectiveness at that time. This proactive measure for public health eventually spread to other countries worldwide. However, the major automakers in the 1970s were initially hesitant to incorporate seat belts into their vehicles, arguing that it was an example of government overreach. In 1979, the US Congress voted on a bill, known as the Automobile Transportation Safety Reduction Act, which mandated that all vehicles built in America must be equipped with seat belts.

However, the effectiveness of seat belts in saving lives was not realized until Mothers Against Drunk Driving began advocating for seat belt usage in the mid-1980s. Their efforts led to the passing of mandates in all states, requiring individuals to wear seat belts for their own safety. The transformation from a "Nanny State" to children reminding their parents to wear seat belts within 30 years can be attributed to a simple yet powerful phenomenon: the passing of time. As the younger generation grew up, they became more aware of the importance of seat belt usage and exercised their voting power to support safety measures. Meanwhile, those who opposed seat belts gradually faded away. This generational shift played a significant role in shaping the societal acceptance and adoption of seat belts as a standard safety feature in cars. 

Over the past three decades, America has witnessed four significant cultural shifts. These shifts have had a profound impact on society. Firstly, the introduction of bicycle helmets and seat belts marked a crucial turning point in promoting safety and reducing accidents. Secondly, the issue of drunk driving gained widespread attention, leading to stricter laws and campaigns against this dangerous behavior. Thirdly, there was a shift in public opinion regarding smoking in public places, resulting in the implementation of smoking bans to protect non-smokers from secondhand smoke. Lastly, the availability and acceptance of condoms in bathrooms became a topic of discussion, highlighting the importance of sexual health and prevention of sexually transmitted infections. It is worth noting that just three decades ago, any attempt to propose legislation on these matters would have been met with strong opposition, with critics arguing against government interference and advocating for personal liberties. However, today, these issues are widely recognized as essential aspects of everyday life, and the opposition has significantly diminished.

The main idea is that these matters eventually reach a resolution, including the issue of ultra-processed food. However, the concern lies in the extent of harm inflicted upon both the population and the environment before a resolution is reached.

Currently, many people argue that climate change is the most pressing issue, but it is important to recognize that the problem of food is intertwined with climate. By addressing the food problem, we would also be addressing the climate issue. Indeed, when considering the perception of calories, it is crucial for consumers to understand how they are defined and what information we need to be aware of when examining food labels. The number of calories displayed on a label is actually the least significant aspect, despite being the most prominently highlighted. In my opinion, calories should be removed from labels as they are not informative and can be misleading. In fact, removing fat from a product to lower its calorie content can actually make the food less nutritious.