AIDS, Leukemia and Potatoes

[Data Rider]

AIDS and leukemia are opposite diseases: AIDS is caused by
too few white blood cells, while leukemia and lymphoma are
caused by too many. With that in mind, consider the following
statistics from data-rider.org:

The 25 US states with the highest potato consumption rates have
an AIDS rate 117% lower than the other 25 states. The odds of
that happening by chance are about 7752 to 1 against.

Those states also have a leukemia rate 7.5% higher with odds of about
762 to 1, and a lymphoma rate 8% higher with odds of about 708 to 1.

These numbers argue (but don't prove) that potatoes increase white blood
cell counts. Has anyone ever noticed this association before? If not, I'd
like to see a doctor prove or disprove the hypothesis with some blood testing.
Potatoes might actually be a treatment for AIDS, and a contraindicated food
for leukemia and lymphoma.

The web site mentioned above is a unfocused health study that found this
association by serendipity among the 9000+ associations measured. It also
found a strong association between AIDS and sunburns, and a few other factors.

[BT65]

So you're saying eating potatoes cures Aids?  And that sunburns cause Aids?  This is so foolish.

[AlanBama]

Let's go out for french fries Betty !

I love potatoes!   

[BT65]

Let's go out for french fries Betty !

I love potatoes!   

OK Alan.  I've been craving some bbq with steak fries. Mmmm.

[Miss Philicia]

Data Rider, welcome to the AIDSmeds forums.

[Jeff G]

 I wish this were true about potatoes , maybe then my doctor who treats me for diabetes will get off my back for my love of the spuds cooked any way I can get them .

[BT65]

I wish this were true about potatoes , maybe then my doctor who treats me for diabetes will get off my back for my love of the spuds cooked any way I can get them .

Jg, would you like to come with Alan and I for our major potato binge?

[Jeff G]

 I'll be there before you can say Yukon gold

[BlueMoon]

Oh dear God, please make this be true!  French fries, home fries, hash browns -- I'll be cured in a week!

[Jeff G]

 With my luck if the potato is the cure , it will only work as a suppository

[Matty the Damned]

And this is a bad thing how?

MtD

[Data Rider]

So you're saying eating potatoes cures Aids?  And that sunburns cause Aids?  This is so foolish.

I didn't say that at all.

I said that the statistics argue that potatoes increase white cell counts.
Many chemicals do that, so why couldn't one of them be found in potatoes?

All I know for sure is that there's a very strong connection, and I suggest a
simple experiment to find out.

Open your mind...

[Data Rider]

And this is a bad thing how?

MtD

Why are people here putting words in my mouth?

I didn't say anything was bad. In fact, if proven that potatoes
increase white cell counts, it would be good news for both
leukemia and AIDS patients. For now its just a hypothesis
suggested by the statistics.

[thunter34]

Why are people here putting words in my mouth?

He wasn't talking about you.  He was talking about potatoes as suppositories...which I whole heartedly endorse.

But I must say...with his love of tater tots, philly should have never needed Fuzeon.

[Matty the Damned]

Zackly.

DRider, I wasn't putting words in your mouth, rather I was focusing on putting potatoes in Jg's butt.



MtD

[Data Rider]

So you're saying eating potatoes cures Aids?  And that sunburns cause Aids?  This is so foolish.

Actually,the association is in the same direction for both potatoes and sunburns.

[Ann]

Why are people here putting words in my mouth?

I didn't say anything was bad. In fact, if proven that potatoes
increase white cell counts, it would be good news for both
leukemia and AIDS patients. For now its just a hypothesis
suggested by the statistics.

And, if I may ask, what is your personal interest in all this? Are you hiv positive yourself or are you just a potato shill?

We're all wondering...

Ann

[Data Rider]

Zackly.

DRider, I wasn't putting words in your mouth, rather I was focusing on putting potatoes in Jg's butt.



MtD

OK, I haven't figured-out how to tell who's talking to who yet...

[Data Rider]

And, if I may ask, what is your personal interest in all this? Are you hiv positive yourself or are you just a potato shill?

We're all wondering...

Ann

Why is that relevant Ann?

Your post suggests that you're going to attack me if I'm not HIV positive.

[Jeff G]

 Wow ...I walked away from computer to eat my chinese take out and missed the tater war of 08 .

[thunter34]

yeah, well...they're still hashing it out right now.

but it might get messy yet, so you might wanna keep this one away from the tots.

it might not be safe for their eyes.

(still here all week, folks)

[Jeff G]

 

[thunter34]

if there's anything i like more than potatos, it's corn.


zing!

[aliveinla]

Now i know why I have a low white cell count to start with! I grew up in rural China eating corn and rice, very few potatoes. Heading to the grocery store right now!

[Assurbanipal]

I didn't say that at all.

I said that the statistics argue that potatoes increase white cell counts.
Many chemicals do that, so why couldn't one of them be found in potatoes?

All I know for sure is that there's a very strong connection, and I suggest a
simple experiment to find out.

Open your mind...

Correlation tain't causation.  People argue -- statistics just are.

And what's the chance that if you look at 9000 different correlations you won't find some that look too good to be true or are due to separate unrelated items?

And

And

I wanna be an urban potato farmer













. . . but I do love tater tots.

[thunter34]

i'm taking matty's suggestion and running with it.

or sitting on it, as the case may be.

[Jeff G]

 I want my mister potato head back

[Data Rider]

Correlation tain't causation.  People argue -- statistics just are.

And what's the chance that if you look at 9000 different correlations you won't find some that look too good to be true or are due to separate unrelated items?

As you say, and as I also say in the FAQ, there are bound to be some red herrings
among that many statistics. The reason the statics make a strong argument is because
the stats for both AIDS and the two cancers are both strong and consistant with what
would be logical if potatoes increase white cell counts.

And yes, statistics do argue. They just don't prove.

[Miss Philicia]

I want my mister potato head back

omg... I used to love mine

Don't forget Darth Tater

[Ann]

Why is that relevant Ann?

Your post suggests that you're going to attack me if I'm not HIV positive.

It's relevant because this is a forum for hiv positive people. If you aren't hiv positive yourself or caring for a loved one who is, then quite frankly, you've got no business here.

Have you bothered to read our Welcome Thread?

Potatoes? I hope you're just naive.

Ann

[BlueMoon]

As you say, and as I also say in the FAQ, there are bound to be some red herrings
among that many statistics. The reason the statics make a strong argument is because
the stats for both AIDS and the two cancers are both strong and consistant with what
would be logical if potatoes increase white cell counts.

And yes, statistics do argue. They just don't prove.

The argument does seem half-baked though.   

[thunter34]

Potatoes? I hope you're just naive.

Hmpfh.  I think he's fried.

[Data Rider]

It's relevant because this is a forum for hiv positive people. If you aren't hiv positive yourself or caring for a loved one who is, then quite frankly, you've got no business here.

Have you bothered to read our Welcome Thread?

Potatoes? I hope you're just naive.

Ann

In fact I did read the message.

Do you demand an answer to that question?
Do you demand it of everyone?

Am I HIV positive or a "SHILL?"

Why are you on the attack path?

[Catman]

What is going on here? I feel confused after all this lashing out about potatoes. I better go buy a baked potatoe with cheese and broccolli to see if I can clear things up here in my head...

[Jeff G]

 speaking of tater therapy , rondrond pm ' d me today for my tater tot casserole recipe

[thunter34]

In fact I did read the message.

Do you demand an answer to that question?
Do you demand it of everyone?

Am I HIV positive or a "SHILL?"

Why are you on the attack path?

And away we go!

Ann is a moderator and is perfectly within her right to ask.

And I think, yes...it does typically get asked of people who post in LW.

(And experience has taught that if they won't say, the answer's "NO".)

[thunter34]

What is going on here? I feel confused after all this lashing out about potatoes. I better go buy a baked potatoe with cheese and broccolli to see if I can clear things up here in my head...

I know!  It started simply enough.

But now it's filled with loaded  questions.

[Ann]

In fact I did read the message.

Do you demand an answer to that question?
Do you demand it of everyone?

Am I HIV positive or a "SHILL?"

Why are you on the attack path?

I'm on what you call the "attack path" because I've been around the block enough times to recognise a potential internet troll when I see one.

I'm putting a temporary ban on your account until this can be discussed with the other moderators. I don't have the time or inclination to sit up and babysit you all night.

Ann

[Catman]

I know!  It started simply enough.

But now it's filled with loaded  questions.

Good heavens! If my combo brings a loaded potatoe like this I'll need a box of Pepcid!