The Nutrition Industry

[Robin UK]

Dear Rip,

I found your podcast on the beef industry very interesting. I’ve heard your line of contention before from other outlets, but as ever, I really love the way you crystallise debate, shoot from the hip and present robust honest information / opinion; high integrity offerings are rare to come across these days. I’ve watched the podcast five times to absorb it comprehensively. On trend with the recent podcast on nutrition, I have 2 straightforward questions please:

In your expert opinion in over 40 years Strength Training and as an observer of general fitness issues, Phenomenologically speaking (screw the science papers):

1) Does organic food (meat and veg) have a significantly positive impact on strength and general health versus non-organic food?

2) If organic food has a net positive affect on strength and general health versus non organic food, even if it is of very small significance, is it worth the extra money?

I know you’re very busy Rip, so one word answers are absolutely fine with me. I know this topic is a minefield and creates polarised opinion, some quarters saying the jury is still out because there isn’t sufficient long-term data re. effects, hence that cohort aren’t willing to take the risk with non-organic food re. hormones, pesticides, GMO etc. I understand the merits of this position but I’m also mindful of your words which dovetails with my own thinking insofar as “ all this natural shit has to stop somewhere eg. What about the poor bugs we tread on, what about the bucket to carry stones which is a “modern” invention, what are we meant to do - not use the bucket, lift barefoot naked et cetera?”

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Best,

Robin

[Mark Rippetoe]

1. It does not. Not at all. The macronutrient and micronutrient content of the diet are the salient factors, not the emotions surrounding their production or the expense entailed in the emotionally-correct process.

[UberBabs]

Access Denied Article exposes lack of oversight over the use of the label "organic."