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To back up the food argument, I decided to become vegetarian a year or so ago (to the chagrin of my mother), and definitely noticed an increase in clarity and '

by neodude 18y ago

To back up the food argument, I decided to become vegetarian a year or so ago (to the chagrin of my mother), and definitely noticed an increase in clarity and 'calm' mind. I changed in part because of this rumoured clarity effect, so placebo is definitely not out of the equation, YMMV, etc.

SwellJoe 18y ago
I've been a vegetarian for 14 years, so I don't exactly recall what my concentration was like before vs. after (and I was a teenager before, so I was probably only concentrating on girls and rock and roll, but mostly girls). I do know that it isn't uncommon for testosterone levels to be reduced in men who become vegetarian, depending on diet, which actually has an adverse effect on many aspects of life including concentration. However, with a small amount of care, it is very easy to eat a vegetarian diet that is entirely positive for health. Walnuts (among other tree nuts and legumes), for example, provide the building blocks of testosterone better than the vast majority of animal products. I think, in general, we have a pretty poor understanding of how various foods interact with the human body, particularly foods that trigger hormone production (as many high density proteins, like meats and non-tofu soy products, do). So, I would probably agree that a well-balanced vegetarian diet probably does lead to a more balanced day-to-day emotional life, which helps with concentration, wakefulness, and feeling good about what you're doing with your life (which I find is the single most important aspect of productivity for me). I certainly encourage folks to give it a try, and see how it works for you. But do some reading first. There are some non-intuitive aspects that throw new vegetarians for a loop, and make the experience less than satisfying. For example, soy proteins of some types, while they seem like a high quality protein, are actually rather hard for your body to deal with. Tofu, on the other hand, which is processed similarly to cheese, has had those hormone-related proteins broken down into a form very friendly for your body. I've also known people who've become vegetarian and gained weight (which was not my experience, as I lost about 15 pounds within months of becoming vegetarian without trying), because they've become carb-o-terians or bean-and-cheese-a-terians. Even if you rule out a whole class of (predominantly) unhealthy food in the form of meat, you can still eat a phenomenally unhealthy diet. And being unhealthy is bad for concentration (among other things).
- m0nty 18y ago
  "we have a pretty poor understanding of how various foods interact with the human body" That's a fascinating area all by itself. I read a couple of years ago about a study in hyperactivity and (while it's not classic double-blind, etc) the anecdotal examples presented were interesting. In one case, a woman with identical twins (who were hyperactive and very unruly) started feeding one on "real food" rather than the processed stuff that many busy parents rely on. Two weeks later, there was a huge difference in behaviour, in the way that you might predict. I'll see if I can dig out a link. A friend of mine is a school-teacher, in a really rough school. They just banned all forms of soft drink, and he says that has, in itself, made a big difference with discipline. Basically, kids who were getting tanked up on sugar and "bouncing off the walls" are now noticeably calmer and easier to manage. Religious debates to one side, it's easy to forget that our bodies are just a bunch of chemicals, so the chemicals we put in are bound to make a difference. Thanks for relating your experiences :)
  - gebloom 18y ago
    Kids don't get "tanked up on sugar." That myth was disproved many years ago. No doubt, replacing empty calories with healthy foods is good for children (and adults).
    - m0nty 18y ago
      Well, I'm just quoting what he said.
- bigtoga 18y ago
  I've been a vegetarian for 12-13 years and I have the same thoughts. I've noticed huge changes in my concentration abilities when I eat a mostly junk/unhealthy diet for several days. I know that isn't restricted to vegetarians though.

by neodude 18y ago

SwellJoe 18y ago

I've been a vegetarian for 14 years, so I don't exactly recall what my concentration was like before vs. after (and I was a teenager before, so I was probably only concentrating on girls and rock and roll, but mostly girls). I do know that it isn't uncommon for testosterone levels to be reduced in men who become vegetarian, depending on diet, which actually has an adverse effect on many aspects of life including concentration. However, with a small amount of care, it is very easy to eat a vegetarian diet that is entirely positive for health. Walnuts (among other tree nuts and legumes), for example, provide the building blocks of testosterone better than the vast majority of animal products. I think, in general, we have a pretty poor understanding of how various foods interact with the human body, particularly foods that trigger hormone production (as many high density proteins, like meats and non-tofu soy products, do). So, I would probably agree that a well-balanced vegetarian diet probably does lead to a more balanced day-to-day emotional life, which helps with concentration, wakefulness, and feeling good about what you're doing with your life (which I find is the single most important aspect of productivity for me). I certainly encourage folks to give it a try, and see how it works for you. But do some reading first. There are some non-intuitive aspects that throw new vegetarians for a loop, and make the experience less than satisfying. For example, soy proteins of some types, while they seem like a high quality protein, are actually rather hard for your body to deal with. Tofu, on the other hand, which is processed similarly to cheese, has had those hormone-related proteins broken down into a form very friendly for your body. I've also known people who've become vegetarian and gained weight (which was not my experience, as I lost about 15 pounds within months of becoming vegetarian without trying), because they've become carb-o-terians or bean-and-cheese-a-terians. Even if you rule out a whole class of (predominantly) unhealthy food in the form of meat, you can still eat a phenomenally unhealthy diet. And being unhealthy is bad for concentration (among other things).

m0nty 18y ago
"we have a pretty poor understanding of how various foods interact with the human body" That's a fascinating area all by itself. I read a couple of years ago about a study in hyperactivity and (while it's not classic double-blind, etc) the anecdotal examples presented were interesting. In one case, a woman with identical twins (who were hyperactive and very unruly) started feeding one on "real food" rather than the processed stuff that many busy parents rely on. Two weeks later, there was a huge difference in behaviour, in the way that you might predict. I'll see if I can dig out a link. A friend of mine is a school-teacher, in a really rough school. They just banned all forms of soft drink, and he says that has, in itself, made a big difference with discipline. Basically, kids who were getting tanked up on sugar and "bouncing off the walls" are now noticeably calmer and easier to manage. Religious debates to one side, it's easy to forget that our bodies are just a bunch of chemicals, so the chemicals we put in are bound to make a difference. Thanks for relating your experiences :)
- gebloom 18y ago
  Kids don't get "tanked up on sugar." That myth was disproved many years ago. No doubt, replacing empty calories with healthy foods is good for children (and adults).
  - m0nty 18y ago
    Well, I'm just quoting what he said.
bigtoga 18y ago
I've been a vegetarian for 12-13 years and I have the same thoughts. I've noticed huge changes in my concentration abilities when I eat a mostly junk/unhealthy diet for several days. I know that isn't restricted to vegetarians though.