Hi everybody,

Today’s TIP is about the 80/20 rule & hormesis.

As Helen mentioned in her email, I totally agree with the ancient Greek philosophy of “παν μέτρον άριστον” (and with the occasional poutine!). Within what we consider to be primitive societies, there is often much wisdom to be discovered.

I’m far from perfect but I do try to eat well at least 80% of the time. There is a ton of evidence that this 80/20 approach (originated in economics but has application in everything) may be the best – and most realistic – way to live.

In fact, evidence does suggest that a little junk food or anything that is slightly poisonous to us (i.e. a toxin) may actually be beneficial!

In the scientific literature, this is known as a hormetic stressor, and even mild nutritional stress can help your immune system get stronger and more resistant to disease.

Other examples of hormesis, meaning stressors that may initially do “bad” things to our health , but then produce a positive adaptive response that improves health are: exercise, intermittent fasting, cold water baths and sunlight exposure.

So, everything in moderation indeed!

That which does not kill us makes us stronger.
–Friedrich Nietzsche