> Quoth Todd Moody <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: How old is fermentation?
>
>On Tue, 22 Jun 1999, alexs wrote:
>
>> >That seems reasonable.  We do have a unique metabolic pathway for
>> >metabolizing alcohol.
>> >
>> Huh. To borrow from the old Tonto-Lone Ranger joke,
>> "What do you mean WE, paleface?" ...
>
>This difference is one of degree, not of kind.  WE do have a
>metabolic pathway for alcohol, notwithstanding differences in
>capacity for detoxifying the stuff....

Still don't see what makes human so unique in that aspect.
Many other non-primate animals can consume alcohol without
it killing tham outright. The toxic dose does vary.

>  We also create alcohol in
>our own bodies, in small amounts.

Especially in starch/sugar-rich diets, with yeasts and
anerobic gut conditions doing the conversions. Sort of
a personal whiskey mash.

>> But alcohol is still a toxic anti-nutrient, not essential
>> for normal function.
>
>There is no evidence that it is toxic in small amounts, and
>considerable evidence that it is beneficial.

Not really. In practice it absolutely is toxic (see
genotype reference above); something doesn't have to
kill you outright to be toxic.

>Complete abstinence
>from alcohol is a significant risk factor for heart disease.

Another misinterpretation of statistics; there is no
causal relationship compellingly demonstrated.

The French consume huge amounts of alcohol, yet also
eat lots of fat, and they have less heart disease.
Moron scientists outside France say, "well, fat=bad
so the wine must be extra-beneficial or protective."

Another interpretation might be that the fat
protects against excessive alcohol intake.

>Whether it is essential for normal function is beside the point,
>since the paleo diet is not limited to what is essential for
>normal function (I.e., carbs in general are not essential, but
>are part of paleolithic diet).

A specious argument. Air pollution, dioxins, tetanus and
birdshit are all part of one's environment, yet nobody advocates
greater, intentional exposure to those.

>
>So if the question is whether small amounts of alcohol should be
>considered permissible on a paleo diet, it seems to me the answer
>is yes.

What a fine example of convoluted reasoning, evidently from
one who likes consuming alcohol and builds a case for
making it all okay, even tho it's clearly at odds with
the Paleo outlook.

Drink all you want, but don't claim to be Paleo.