BEST DIET FOR MAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 December 1923, Page 1

BEST DIET FOR MAN.

DR SALEBY’S VIEAYS

Dr C. AY. Sale by tenders through the eoloumns of the “Daily Chronicle’ to mankind the following hints as to the best diet for adults 'The best diet for man is based upon vegetarianism, 'ihe staples of it are tLe “kindly fruits ot the earth” in various forms, but none of them in any form that is deprived of its entire food value. Tor instance, whole cereals, such as wheat and oats and rye; potatoes, provided that the water in which they are boiled is used as soup, for the precious salts and vitnmincs which it. contains ; uncooked green leaves, such as those ol lettuce and watercress, and raw cabbage. To these add the great animal produce, milk, and the things derived from it, though not in unlimited quantities. and eggs, perhaps. We may call this a lacto-vegetarian diet, and T think the evidence is clear that it is really the best diet for mankind. At the same time, let its clearly assert that we have no scientific evidence to condemn the use of meat in small quantities. It is interesting to observe that this lacto-vegetarian diet is identical with that used by Dr Roller, in Switzerland, together with sunlight, for his tubeieulous patients, only that there no limit of quantities is observed and butter and cream are used galore. 'i’llis diet is alumiing to most of us, 1 fear, but it is not- nearly so bad as it sounds, and is constantly relished by the unspoilt palate. Its principal advantages are these: First, extreme economy for the individual and the nation. Ear more people can be fed on the produce of a given area of soil by such a diet than by the raising of pork or beef. Evidently the whole theory of population and over-population must he reconsidered accordingly. Second, healthy use of the jaws and teeth, and healthy functioning of the alimentary canal, with disappearance of artificial aperients, appendicitis, anil oilier modern evils. i bird, according to the most’ recent evidence,, a great probability, at least, of a reduction in the incidence of cancer. On this I write with caution, but the evidence accumulates to suggest that our rich, over-abundant animal fare of to-day has to do with the great increase of malignant disease. The Danish death rate among the middle aged fell fast and far during the war period of simple diet and no alcohol, and lias rapidly risen again since the war. Plain ways of life are best.