This letter was submitted to the Cairns Post two weeks ago but not published. The Cairns Post, Rupert Murdoch’s Far Northern newspaper propaganda unit, has an editorial policy of not publishing anything detrimental to the district’s large sugar cane growing and refining industry, never mind that nearly every nutritionist and medical doctor will warn that sugar consumption is dangerous to health. Northern icon and health advocate Geoff Guest, OAM, has told night clubbers to eat some food which would help stabilise their low blood sugar levels after consuming large amounts of alcohol. If clubs provided food late at night Mr Guest believes it would help stem violence.

Letter to the Editor

Comments by health professional Lolita Hunter in the Cairns Post, about indigenous health problems in communities does not go to the core of the problem.

It’s no good shutting the gate after the horse has bolted. The problems start with the old saying, “you are what you eat.”

Geoff Guest OAM with Professor Ernest Hunter, Cairns Mental Health Unit, discuss addictions and rehabilitation at an Atherton seminar in 2015

My 40 years of research at Petford Wellness Association working closely with Professor Ernest Hunter of the Cairns Mental Health Unit in recent years clearly show that food cravings are mostly caused by eating sugar.

A can of well-known soft drink and a chocolate bar for breakfast leads to immense problems such as diabetes, heart and psychological problems.

After rehabilitating 4000 adults and youths over 30 years I have discovered that a highly refined carbohydrate diet, excess sugar and a low fibre diet start the cravings.

The cravings lead to more sugar, alcohol and then drugs. If alcohol is unavailable drugs will do.

I have read a lot of hype from club goers about the changes to the lock out laws.

The doctors and ambulance officers agree with trying to reduce alcohol-related violence but we should stem the cause. So do I.

Night club patrons should have food before they leave the club because after hours of alcohol consumption their blood sugar levels are normally quite low which can cause confusion, anger and aggressiveness.

I heard my local Member Shane Knuth mention the need for food in clubs and he is quite right.

At least any troublesome clubbers might reduce their anger by eating good food and keep their fists to themselves.

Yours sincerely

Geoff Guest OAM

Petford