OVEREATING HARMFUL AFTER MIDDLE LIFE
Most of the illnesses that afflict the man beyond middle age are due to the fact that he does not realize his intestinal limitations.
The most pernicious misdemeanor after middle life is overeating. The person who works out-of-doors is, of course, able to dispose of more and heavier food than does the brain-worker.
The brain-worker who tries to eat meat three times a day will find himself, in most instances, in better condition if he eats meat only once each day, but in this condition quantity of food is more important than its nature.
Cooked Foods.—The human being gradually has been adapting himself to more and more refined and thoroughly cooked foods. Nevertheless, it is not desirable for him suddenly to change to foods that are coarse and indigestible.
These perhaps will aid elimination, but at the same time they will irritate the delicate lining of the intestines and permit the more easy entrance of bacteria into the body.
Too much starch, protein or fat is harmful because it will not be digested fully and will encourage the growth of bacteria in the intestines. As one becomes older his tolerance for sugars becomes less, and if he eats too much sweet or starchy foods, he is likely to develop disorders of sugar elimination.
Insurance Records.—All health authorities are agreed that the greatest danger for the man beyond middle age is overeating. The records of great insurance companies show that the life expectancy of the man slightly underweight at this age is greater by far than that of the man who is overweight.
As the old farmer expressed the matter, pigs would live longer if they did not make hogs of themselves.