Another study, statistical rather than practical, by a Professor Grey of University of Bern in Switzerland focused on low, medium and high coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality figures of World Health Organization.

What did he find? Well from among high mortality areas were Finland and Scotland, middle areas included Ireland, and low CHD areas included Spain, Italy and France. He then compared heart attack rates with antioxidant levels in blood samples taken from men living in those areas.

What he found was very interesting, results showed that high antioxidant levels, in particular vitamin E, coincided with low death rates of heart disease. Moreover, his results showed that vitamin E levels were 94% more accurate in predicting CHD rates than were cholesterol levels or blood pressure figures! Apart from diet, high CHD regions drink very little, if any wine, whereas low regions traditionally accompany their meals most days with wine.

It certainly seems strange that two much studied cities; Glasgow in Scotland and Toulouse in France show many similarities and yet many differences. The inhabitants of both cities eat tremendous amounts of high fat foods, traditionally take little exercise and drink alcohol. The surprising difference is that while people of Glasgow have one of highest rates of CHD in world, fortunate people of Toulouse have one of lowest. Traditionally beer and spirits are preferred drinks in Glasgow, while folks in Toulouse drink red wine.

It has also been suggested that drinking in moderation together with meals is beneficial, while binge drinking at bars in evening is harmful. It seems southern Europeans don’t drink for alcohol buzz, but just as a pleasant accompaniment to their meals.

At first large heart institutions such as American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association ignored both antioxidants and frowned upon wine. While it is clear that it could be potentially dangerous for a physician to recommend his patients start drinking alcohol, it is also strange that they pretended for so many years to ignore evidence. Well, now even if they don’t promote taking of vitamin pills; antioxidants and free radicals are now recognized.

However, according to AHA “There is no scientific proof that drinking wine or any other alcoholic beverage can replace conventional measures ... No direct comparison trials have been done to determine specific effect of wine or other alcohol on risk of developing heart disease or stroke.” Just ask yourself who would pay for such studies. Clinical Trials have purpose of showing one thing to be better than another, or whether a certain substance is beneficial to health. The costs of clinical trials is so high that only pharmaceutical industry have financial clout to invest in them – invest is correct word. What a surprise.

The genetic modification of foodstuffs for example is still largely untested and many of its results are open to interpretation. Scientific knowledge of processes involved is actually at an early stage. Little is known about side effects, how gene function is controlled, gene transfer into other organisms such as bacteria in human gut. The British Medical Association (B.M.A.) has said that potential adverse effects have not been sufficiently investigated and strongly recommend caution. The United Nations' safety body, Food and Agriculture Organisation, has warned that failure to carry out full health checks on G.M. foods could lead to toxic reactions, allergies and increased resistance to antibiotics.

Experience has shown that genetically modified and organic foods cannot exist together because genetically modified crops will cross-pollinate with any others. Contamination of whole food chain has already occurred within a couple of years. Biotechnology companies that are facing opposition in Europe are targeting less well resourced countries such as India in hope that genetically modified organisms will spread irreversibly before public opinion has time to intervene.

In addition to avoiding carcinogens that are increasing everywhere in our culture, we need a complex yet balanced mixture of specific minerals and nutrients to maintain ourselves in a healthy way. Recent government policy recommends we should eat a minimum of five or six fruit and vegetable types in any given day. The British Dietetic Association's survey shows that typical English diet includes only 3.3 portions of fruit and vegetables a day. The Scottish consume 2.7 portions a day while Irish get only a measly 2.3. New research from Spain suggests that quality of food and its method of preparation are as important as quantity, since many of nutrients in food are destroyed during industrial preparation and even in domestic cooking processes. In order to gain breadth of specific minerals we need to maintain health using food, we need fresh, quality food types, cooked appropriately, or at least someone to sell us right supplements!

The quick-fix mentality of Western culture has grown so used to pill-popping supplements that markets have responded to this. The American public uses increasing amounts of vitamin and mineral supplements. A survey conducted by Federal Drugs Authority (F.D.A.) in America states that over 60 million Americans believe that vitamin supplements are essential for good health. The report also shows that about 20 million Americans believe that mineral deficiency is a primary cause of disease, including cancer, which shows what a good marketing job supplements industry has done. Drug corporations are moving quickly into supplements industry following market forces. Legislation in Europe is posed to ban many supplements (like herbs) that have a natural source, in preference to pharmaceutical alternatives. Even though appropriate dietary supplements are becoming recognised as a useful tool in maintaining health, legislation is fast catching up to regulate this field, showing a clear preference to synthetic chemicals.

In 1980 National Academy of Sciences Committee on Dietary Allowances (who established R.D.A.'s or Recommended Daily Allowances) found no scientific evidence for nutritional benefits from vitamins, minerals or trace elements in dosages greater than those supplied by a balanced diet. Supplement industries with generous advertising budgets persuade many people that it is better to have 'expensive urine' than be at risk to disease through lacking right vitamin or mineral in a diet.

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