The purpose of my (newspaper- financed) visit was an investigation of the genetic research centre where, a blood sample having been tested, the secrets of my DNA would be revealed.
“You have,” the director told me, “the cancer gene, the thrombosis gene and the Alzheimer gene.”
Looking for a silver lining, I added: “And the obesity gene?” Had not my mother told me “It’s the way you’re made”?
The director did not hesitate. “No. You are fat because you choose to be fat.”
Another admirable Icelandic characteristic is a reluctance to mince words.
Who’d have guessed that a single gene covers cancer? Blimey! There’s no point not mincing words if the words not minced are crap.
It’s a sad fact that 99.85% of all serious non-surgical diet attempts (10kg+ lost) fail after 5 years.
When we see a diet that has an acceptable success rates that hold up in the long term, then I’m prepared to entertain the idea that being fat is a personal failure, until then, I will remain to be amazed to see how many otherwise clever folk are so easily taking in by a scam that sells the unattainable that has been running nearly 2 centuries now, with almost no winners to speak of.
“You have,” the director told me, “the cancer gene, the thrombosis gene and the Alzheimer gene.”
Sorry, who are you?
No-one I’m underwriting life insurance for, I hope.
How can there be a gene for any and all single disease or disease groups?
You would find the POW diet and exercise regime was remarkably effective in WW2. – Especially the asiatic versions.
And there were not many tubby coal miners in the thirties but they often had a high calory intake.
Same goes for body builders today.
“It’s a sad fact that 99.85% of all serious non-surgical diet attempts (10kg+ lost) fail after 5 years.”
I’m in the 0.15%. Go me!