The Deadly Danger Lurking in Your Favorite Foods
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted January 6, 2025
I’m sure it comes as no surprise that the so-called Western diet isn’t doing you any favors.
You know the one I’m talking about—burgers, fries, sugary sodas, and processed snacks galore. It’s the diet that’s as American as apple pie (which, ironically, isn’t great for us either).
But let’s face it, despite knowing it isn’t exactly a recipe for good health it’s hard to kick a bad habit—especially when it’s cheap, convenient, and delicious. I mean, who can resist the siren call of a greasy cheeseburger and fries after a long day?
But before you bite into that fast food feast, you need to hear about some recent research. Scientists have uncovered yet another reason to reconsider our love affair with the Western diet, and it’s a doozy.
In fact, it might just scare the fries right out of your hand.
Irish researchers recently uncovered a troubling link between the Western diet and an increased risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colorectal cancer.
And everything points to what this diet is doing to our gut.
You see, our digestive system is home to trillions of tiny microbes that play a crucial role in our health. This community of bacteria, viruses, and fungi is our gut microbiome.
When it’s happy and balanced, we’re more likely to be healthy. But when it’s disrupted, all sorts of problems can arise.
Eating a Western diet, which is full of saturated fats, sugars, and additives, is like taking a wrecking ball to our gut microbiome. It dramatically reduces the diversity of these beneficial microbes, leaving us more vulnerable to inflammation and disease.
One of the biggest problems with the Western diet is its lack of fiber. Without enough of it our gut bacteria can’t produce enough short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs).
These little compounds are vital because they help reduce inflammation, protect our hearts, and fight off obesity.
But that’s not all. When we eat a lot of processed red meat—a staple of the Western diet—our gut microbes turn compounds from the meat into something called TMAO.
High levels of TMAO are linked to an increased risk of heart disease, kidney problems, and colorectal cancer.
I know this all sounds pretty grim. But don’t despair just yet. The same study that brought us this bad news also highlighted a potential solution: the Mediterranean diet.
This way of eating, emphasizing fruits, vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, and fish, has the opposite effect on our gut microbiome. It promotes beneficial bacteria, reduces harmful ones, and increases the production of those all-important SCFAs.
In fact, the researchers found that the Mediterranean diet can help manage conditions like IBD, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.
So, what does this mean for you? Well, you don’t have to give up your favorite foods entirely (phew!). But it’s a good idea to make some changes to your diet.
Here are a few simple swaps you can make:
- Trade your white bread for whole grain
- Swap out some red meat for fish or organic, grass-fed meats
- Add more fruits and vegetables to your plate
- Choose olive oil over butter when cooking
- Snack on nuts and seeds instead of chips
Remember, small changes can make a big difference. In this case they can improve your gut microbiome and you could be reducing your risk of serious health problems in the future.
P.S. Common nutrient is colon cancer’s kryptonite?!
Source:
Ross, F. C., Patangia, D., Grimaud, G., Lavelle, A., Dempsey, E. M., Ross, R. P., & Stanton, C. (2024). The interplay between diet and the gut microbiome: Implications for health and disease. Nature Reviews Microbiology, 22(11), 671-686.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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