Yesterday’s post was on the topic of white versus brown rice. In an attempt to present a broad overview and represent both sides of the issue, I sourced butterbeliever.com, a site that posted this:
Many people eat way, way too much fiber, which can lead to serious digestive disorders, and even colon cancer…So, everyone choking down their Fiber-One cereals and psyllium husks really aren’t doing themselves any favors at all…Healthy people don’t need tons of fiber, and they generally don’t need to go out of their way looking for it.
This claim, in part, stems from the declarations of Konstantin Monastyrsy, a self-proclaimed “expert in forensic nutrition” and author of the book, Fiber Menace. He believes and emphatically asserts that overconsumption of fiber leads to all sorts of serious health issues.
Keith Law chimed in on twitter:
@gabekapler There's no link between fiber intake and colon cancer in either direction: http://t.co/dmlTel8Gmz
— keithlaw (@keithlaw) July 26, 2014
When Keith talks, I’m immediately interested. I consistently read his work.
We had better illuminate the fact that he’s not always right. He can be quite unscientific, in fact. We are talking about a man who produced and publicly posted his top 100 old-school hip-hop songs without a single mention of Biggie. Sacrilegious indeed.
I’m kidding, of course. It goes without saying that independent of his rap whiff, I have the highest possible level of respect for Keith’s wisdom. Sharp cat indeed.
In an effort to uncover more information, I linked Keith to Monastyrsky’s work. Keith was unimpressed.
@gabekapler He's a crank. Fiber doesn't cause Crohn's or UC or diverticulitis or IBS (which isn't even a single disorder).
— keithlaw (@keithlaw) July 26, 2014
I love the word crank. For those of you unfamiliar, a crank, courtesy of a Wikipedia, ironically, is
a pejorative term used for a person who holds an unshakable belief that most of his or her contemporaries consider to be false. A crank belief is so wildly at variance with those commonly held as to be ludicrous. Cranks characteristically dismiss all evidence or arguments which contradict their own unconventional beliefs, making rational debate a futile task, and rendering them impervious to facts, evidence, and rational inference.
Remember that dude who thought the world was round? What a crank.
I hit up (not really, the following is fictitious) Monastyrsky and he replied immediately.
“Keith is crazy,” he said. “He doesn’t even have a degree in forensic nutrition.”
Before we have too much fun, let’s discuss the obvious. Not everything posted online is true, even if it sounds scientific. Not everything that sounds crazy is false. Sometimes, just doing a survey of a topic isn’t enough, and some research into the research is necessary. In an attempt to make sense of what we read, motive should be examined. That whole personal responsibility thing rears its head.
In Monastyrsky’s case, the dude is selling two things, his book and his supplements. Of course, these particular supplements will heal you of all the damage done from the problems he’s describing in his book. He’s making a lot of scientific claims without actual science to back them up.
Particularly when I’m giving a general overview on a specific issue, sometimes I have just enough time to present pieces to a puzzle instead of the entire thing. I will lead with some degree of research, but this is a good reminder to always take a critical look at what people say, regardless of their claimed credentials.
I used to tell folks that Major League Baseball batters are their own best hitting coaches. They are in the most advantageous position because they can often feel what works best for their swings and bodies. This is especially true for the men who are willing to try new techniques with an open mind and be bold enough to work with teachers of hitting, yet still make their own decisions about what to keep and what to discard.
Likewise, you are your own best life coach. Trial and error coupled with tailored, open-minded digging will undoubtedly net your best results.
I’ll always be here to throw stuff atcha.
Kap
False claims are made everyday in the medical/pharmaceutical world. Often times these claims come from people pushing a branded product/device to drive usage (sales). So it’s not surprising that misinformed individuals will make bold claims to sell whatever product they have based upon individual beliefs. Let’s say you read a 100 books on how to build a house, perhaps get some certification on building a house. Yet you’ve never actually built a house. How competent would you be at building houses? As you mentioned Kap, each individual has the best seat in the house when it comes to their own health. Seek out trusted professional advice from those with experience. Love your blog Kap. It’s become an important part of my everyday life.
You’re my man, Stu. Thanks.
Kap- are you still doing 5×5 ? Are you back to squatting again? We haven’t had a lifting post in a while.
Hey Colt. Been squatting again, but lighter. Stopping at 375 for now. Still struggling through the hip thing. I’ll be all the way back soon.
Kap, gonna follow up Colt’s question with regard to your hip. Are you acquainted with Kelly Starrett and the Supple Leopard? He has some awesome stretches, some with banded distraction that have worked wonders on me. It is amazing what one can do with a Lax ball or a baseball (if one was handy) to loosen up some tight tissue. For the really adventurous, there is nothing quite like some voo doo flossing.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=kelly%20starrett%20knee%20flossing&source=web&cd=4&sqi=2&ved=0CCYQtwIwAw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D-RYMV0salw8&ei=DSnVU82lPNThoASXu4GQCw&usg=AFQjCNGqyiimya24oZ6uC7fWv_vho5CMTA&bvm=bv.71778758,d.cGU
A happy super couch stretch to you and yours.
An update on the super couch because squatting is everything.
http://www.mobilitywod.com/2011/04/episode-235-recover-your-anterior-with-the-super-couch/
I pulled a muscle in my glute the lax ball was painful but sped up the recovery
The piriformis muscle was giving me sciatic grief for months till I spent 5 painful minutes sitting on a Lax ball. Know how to tame those puppies now.
Thanks, men. Much appreciated.
Darin says
Another thought provoking post, Kap. I think one of the reasons so many of us love reading and applying the information from your blog is because, unlike Monastyrsky (and the supplement companies, diet book authors, etc), you aren’t trying to sell us anything, just telling us what works for you. Please keep the good stuff coming.
Well put Daring.
Appreciate it very much, Darin.
KLaw is hilarious. I love when he uses an obscure word that 0.01% of the population has heard of in a joke.
Right? Love Keith.
If you love reading everything on fitness/nutrition/health you run into a lot of this. First thing to remember is a lot of writers get paid based on how many clicks they get. Of course if at the end they are selling something, beware. The more we learn, the more obvious it becomes that our bodies are VERY complicated organisms, and each one is a bit different. Listen to your body-it tells you a lot if you pay attention. My advice to youngsters (actually everybody) is to take CONTROL of your own life. There are a lot of very smart and ambitious folks out there who will gladly do it for you. Remember, today they say ‘If you’re not cheating, you’re not trying’. It used to be if it’s easy, you’re not trying hard enough.
Good stuff, Bill.
Research much like anything else does take work. Don’t be afraid to dig deeper when it comes to your own lifestyle. I’m a scientist and I still do my own research when I go to the doctor or when I’m given medical advice.
That is What I was taught by my father and that is what I get from your blog in addition to encouragement to continue trying to live a better life and no judgment.
-Have a great Sunday sweetheart
Kelebek
The always dependable Kelebek, ladies and gentlemen.
aww-thank you baby
Quack and snake oil comes to mind when I read Monastyrsky’s work. At least that’s the words we use here in the south. Do what works best for you. Seek out hard, researched, trail and error data and apply it with modifications on what works best for yourself.