averygoodun42 (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
averygoodun42) wrote2013-02-15 07:43 pm
averygoodun42) wrote2013-02-15 07:43 pm
Reason # 38 I don't use online support groups
So, I'm on this ridiculously restrictive diet nicknamed SCD. It's done a world of good for me, and heaps of good for Page. We're on it because, unlike another ridiculously restrictive diet that shall not be named, it is based on sound scientific principles and explanations, a long history (over 60 years now) of medical success, and a good deal of common sense.
The diet as it is presented now is based on the late Elaine Gottschall's research and study. She died, oh, ten years ago? *googles* Oh, in 2005, actually.
Anyway, back in the beginning, I looked online for as much information as I could. I joined several communities and relevant support groups that were SCD-oriented, and lapped up all the information that the people who had been on the diet for years had to give.
But. Then, it seemed to me, that the advice given was not really taking into account all current knowledge. In fact, it seemed, more and more, like it was being treated like some sort of religion.
An example:
I do not see want is wrong with pure fenugreek powder, because it’s made(as you know) from the seeds of fenugreek, which is a herb. So, I do not understand, why it’s on the illegal list of Elaine. (only because you can produce other substances from this powder??)
sorry!
Reply
Jordan Reasoner June 2, 2012 at 3:51 am
I’m not sure, and it’s hard because we can’t ask her.
It might have more to do with the anti-nutrients that are in seeds in general, which can be tough on the digestive system.
In good health,
Jordan
Now, I'm sure that some people will not be able to tolerate fenugreek in any of its forms because they are sensitive or even allergic to it. But, um, Jordan's answer is SO full of ignorance and blind reverence that it's hard to take anything he says seriously. Especially as the post is about spices, most of which COME FROM SEEDS!!!
I'm not saying he's wrong about seeds being hard on the (impaired) digestive system, but, um... It's hard to take what he says seriously after saying, "it’s hard because we can’t ask her" as if Elaine was the ONLY person who ever studied nutrition with an eye towards digestion disorders. Especially nowadays as Celiac disease is becoming recognized as a potential pandemic disorder.
Jordan's statement is just the tip of the iceberg where blind adherence outweighs logical thought and common sense in the SCD community. That's not saying the community isn't helpful, especially for newbies, but, well... It isn't encouraging. Especially as the diet is based on sound theories.
*sigh*
Ach well.
I guess I really am not a joiner. Hell, even some Humanist organizations annoy the shit out of me for their own misuse of science and logic to the detriment of their message. Specifically their multiple choice question: How did the Universe begin?
- I don't know.
- It was set up as an experiment by extremely intelligent aliens from another universe, who drop in every now and then to see how we're doing.
- God created it.
- The scientific explanations are the best ones available. No gods were involved.
I chose the first one because, well, we don't know, scientifically, what caused the Big Bang (which is definitely the best explanation available). Who are we to say God wasn't involved in the creation of the original explosion, though? There's no evidence otherwise. No evidence there was a God involved, either. Science cannot prove the existence or non-existence of God using its own principles. It just can't.
Some of the other questions annoyed me as well, as they smacked of atheist smugness. If you don't believe, fine. There's good reason not to believe. But don't mock or otherwise imply that those who do believe are silly or even stupid just because they want to try to explain the unexplainable. It's not respectful, which, I thought, is supposed to be a tenet of Humanism.
That said, I am obviously not a pure Humanist, because I am a theist. Nor can I get behind most of the religions out there because they tend to require a blind acceptance of stuff that's obviously just made up. For the most part. Or just a blind acceptance of their way of doing things, whether based on logic and fact or not. *scowls at some UUs*
Hum. Didn't mean to get into full rant mode. Sorry. I'll go now.
The diet as it is presented now is based on the late Elaine Gottschall's research and study. She died, oh, ten years ago? *googles* Oh, in 2005, actually.
Anyway, back in the beginning, I looked online for as much information as I could. I joined several communities and relevant support groups that were SCD-oriented, and lapped up all the information that the people who had been on the diet for years had to give.
But. Then, it seemed to me, that the advice given was not really taking into account all current knowledge. In fact, it seemed, more and more, like it was being treated like some sort of religion.
An example:
I do not see want is wrong with pure fenugreek powder, because it’s made(as you know) from the seeds of fenugreek, which is a herb. So, I do not understand, why it’s on the illegal list of Elaine. (only because you can produce other substances from this powder??)
sorry!
Reply
Jordan Reasoner June 2, 2012 at 3:51 am
I’m not sure, and it’s hard because we can’t ask her.
It might have more to do with the anti-nutrients that are in seeds in general, which can be tough on the digestive system.
In good health,
Jordan
Now, I'm sure that some people will not be able to tolerate fenugreek in any of its forms because they are sensitive or even allergic to it. But, um, Jordan's answer is SO full of ignorance and blind reverence that it's hard to take anything he says seriously. Especially as the post is about spices, most of which COME FROM SEEDS!!!
I'm not saying he's wrong about seeds being hard on the (impaired) digestive system, but, um... It's hard to take what he says seriously after saying, "it’s hard because we can’t ask her" as if Elaine was the ONLY person who ever studied nutrition with an eye towards digestion disorders. Especially nowadays as Celiac disease is becoming recognized as a potential pandemic disorder.
Jordan's statement is just the tip of the iceberg where blind adherence outweighs logical thought and common sense in the SCD community. That's not saying the community isn't helpful, especially for newbies, but, well... It isn't encouraging. Especially as the diet is based on sound theories.
*sigh*
Ach well.
I guess I really am not a joiner. Hell, even some Humanist organizations annoy the shit out of me for their own misuse of science and logic to the detriment of their message. Specifically their multiple choice question: How did the Universe begin?
- I don't know.
- It was set up as an experiment by extremely intelligent aliens from another universe, who drop in every now and then to see how we're doing.
- God created it.
- The scientific explanations are the best ones available. No gods were involved.
I chose the first one because, well, we don't know, scientifically, what caused the Big Bang (which is definitely the best explanation available). Who are we to say God wasn't involved in the creation of the original explosion, though? There's no evidence otherwise. No evidence there was a God involved, either. Science cannot prove the existence or non-existence of God using its own principles. It just can't.
Some of the other questions annoyed me as well, as they smacked of atheist smugness. If you don't believe, fine. There's good reason not to believe. But don't mock or otherwise imply that those who do believe are silly or even stupid just because they want to try to explain the unexplainable. It's not respectful, which, I thought, is supposed to be a tenet of Humanism.
That said, I am obviously not a pure Humanist, because I am a theist. Nor can I get behind most of the religions out there because they tend to require a blind acceptance of stuff that's obviously just made up. For the most part. Or just a blind acceptance of their way of doing things, whether based on logic and fact or not. *scowls at some UUs*
Hum. Didn't mean to get into full rant mode. Sorry. I'll go now.
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I hope one day to be able to eat non-gluten grains again without side-effects, though. (And it's looking good! For me, anyway.)
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I don't think there is a good term for what I am, as my beliefs encompass pantheism, deism, Buddhism and Judaism. With a soupcon of Christianity thrown in. In that order. (My moral code is almost all Christian, though. Jesus was one wise dude.)
Like you, I'm not a religious sort, but I know it is useful for a lot of people, so I can't say I don't believe in religion either. Though I do think it tends to lead to evil (just like any other too-powerful organization...).