The best diet for overall health, and specifically for heart

In the sacred dance of life, the food we consume is the fuel that sustains us, the medicine that heals us, and the energy that drives our every action. David Perlmutter, in his profound work Grain Brain, speaks to a timeless truth: "The best diet for overall health, and specifically for heart, brain, and cancer risk reduction, is a diet that's aggressively low in carbohydrates with an abundance of healthful fat, and this is the central theme of Grain Brain." Here, Perlmutter touches on the ancient understanding that the foundation of health lies not in excess, but in the careful balance of what we consume. This wisdom, rooted in the traditions of the ancients, holds that the body thrives when nourished with the right elements in the right balance, and that food is not just sustenance but a powerful force that shapes the very essence of our being.

The ancient Greeks, with their reverence for the balance of the body and mind, understood that diet was not merely about what we eat, but about how we align ourselves with the natural order of the world. Hippocrates, often regarded as the father of medicine, famously declared, "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food." In his teachings, Hippocrates emphasized that the diet is central to our well-being, for what we consume has the power to either nurture or destroy us. Just as Perlmutter suggests that a diet low in carbohydrates and abundant in healthful fats is key to reducing the risks of heart disease, brain degeneration, and cancer, so did the ancients understand that the proper dietary choices were essential for maintaining health and avoiding the ailments that plagued the body.

In the stories of ancient warriors, such as the Spartans, we see the practical application of these principles. The Spartans, renowned for their physical prowess and discipline, adhered to a strict regimen of training and diet that was designed to build strength, endurance, and mental clarity. Their diet was simple and nourishing, focused on lean meats, vegetables, and grains in moderation. In a way, their approach mirrors Perlmutter’s insights: they knew that to remain strong and capable in battle, they needed to avoid the excesses that would weigh them down. They embraced the wisdom of balance—just as Perlmutter advocates for a diet rich in healthful fats and low in carbohydrates, the Spartans knew that their bodies, like their minds, needed to be cultivated and protected through careful nourishment.

The teachings of Aristotle also reflect the importance of a balanced diet. He believed that the pursuit of virtue required discipline, and discipline extended to all areas of life, including what we consume. Aristotle taught that health was a vital aspect of living a virtuous life, and that to maintain this health, one must make deliberate choices about food—choosing what would nourish and sustain the body, while avoiding what could lead to weakness. Perlmutter’s advice to reduce carbohydrates and increase healthful fats is in line with this ancient wisdom: it is not the indulgence in fleeting pleasures that leads to strength and clarity, but the careful, deliberate choice of what to consume to maintain our vitality and purpose.

In the Buddhist tradition, the concept of mindful eating teaches that we should consume food with awareness, understanding its power not only to nourish the body but to influence the mind and spirit. The Buddha himself emphasized the importance of moderation in all things, including diet. To overindulge, he taught, is to create imbalance in the body and mind, leading to suffering. Similarly, Perlmutter’s central theme in Grain Brain suggests that a balanced diet, low in carbohydrates and rich in healthful fats, promotes clarity and mental health, aligning with the Buddhist teachings of balance and mindfulness. By choosing foods that support both the body and the mind, we can avoid the mental fog and physical ailments that come from overindulgence in carbohydrates, particularly those that are processed and lacking in nutritional value.

The modern scientific understanding of nutrition further reinforces the ancient wisdom that food plays a crucial role in our overall health. Perlmutter, with his emphasis on the dangers of high carbohydrate diets, especially those rich in sugars and processed foods, calls us to return to the basics—to nourish the body with the right kinds of fats and whole foods. This is not a new revelation but a return to the practices of ancient healers who understood that the diet was the key to maintaining a vibrant and healthy life. Hippocrates, Aristotle, and even the Buddhists knew that balance, purity, and moderation in food were essential for longevity and mental clarity, and Perlmutter’s message echoes these principles for our modern age.

So, what is the lesson to be learned from Perlmutter’s teachings, and from the wisdom of the ancients? The key to health and vitality lies not in extremes or fleeting trends, but in a balanced, mindful approach to diet—one that nourishes the body, sustains the mind, and aligns with the natural rhythms of life. We must choose what we eat with intention, avoiding the excesses that lead to disease and embracing foods that support our strength, clarity, and purpose. Like the Spartans, like Hippocrates, and like the Buddhists, we must honor our bodies by choosing what nourishes us without overindulging in what harms us. In doing so, we will find health, clarity, and a life full of purpose and meaning.

In your own life, take a moment to reflect on the foods that fuel you. Choose whole, unprocessed foods, favoring vegetables, healthy fats, and moderation in all things. Avoid the excesses that weigh you down—be they in carbohydrates, sugars, or processed foods. As Perlmutter and the ancients have shown, it is through mindful eating, through nourishing the body and mind with balance and care, that we can cultivate a life of strength, clarity, and health.