Patients given carnitine (found in meat) do better after heart attack

[Benko]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 ... 132321.htm

So be sure to eat your meat ;-)

[MachineGhost]

And carnosine and creatine and B12 and Vitamin A and...

[Benko]

Yes, getting nutrients from food e.g. carnitine, the ones MG mentioned, etc is always preferable to getting them from pills.  So even if you believe that saturated fats are "harmful" (I suspect it is probably wrong*) it is still worth eating red meat regularly. 

The idea that "of course" a diet based on just plants** is the most healthy thing for you, is very appealing, and like other wrong but intellectually appealing ideas which get held onto far too long, will not go away quickly.  I wonder if attachment to intellectually appealing ideas (at the expense of reality) is a personality trait. It would explain much.

*or at least wrong if you get sufficient good fats (EPA/DHA).
**Not that I don't think eating lots of plants is good for you--I've added lots of plants to my diet in addition to the animal protein at each meal.

[Pointedstick]

The idea that "of course" a diet based on just plants** is the most healthy thing for you, is very appealing, and like other wrong but intellectually appealing ideas which get held onto far too long, will not go away quickly.  I wonder if attachment to intellectually appealing ideas (at the expense of reality) is a personality trait. It would explain much.

People of high intelligence often seem to fall into this trap. Esoteric or complicated ideas seem especially appealing to those with a sharp and critical mind; but the fallacy is in subconsciously believing something to be more true because it is esoteric or complicated. Sometimes the commonest and simplest ideas are the most correct ones.

[Benko]

People of high intelligence often seem to fall into this trap. Esoteric or complicated ideas seem especially appealing to those with a sharp and critical mind; but the fallacy is in subconsciously believing something to be more true because it is esoteric or complicated. Sometimes the commonest and simplest ideas are the most correct ones.

I hadn't thought of it that way, but you make a good point.

"Sometimes the commonest and simplest ideas are the most correct ones."
In the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tsu he says:

The way is so simple that complicated minds cannot see it. 

Echoing your point.  he also says:

if it were a passing trend (perhaps he uses the word fashion) many would immediately try it. 

[MachineGhost]

if it were a passing trend (perhaps he uses the word fashion) many would immediately try it.

SodaStream!