The “Evolution” of Nutrition

Have you noticed the “evolution” of our culture with regard to food? Fifty years ago most families had their meals at home around the kitchen table. Much of the food was home-grown and made from scratch. Eating in a restaurant was reserved for special occasions–and these came once a year, if that. Obesity was rare. Now the average American eats out 200 times/year and only 1/3 of “home-cooked” evening meals are made without the aid of convenience foods. An amazing 74% of adults are overweight or obese, inspiring BMW to come out with a new line of car, especially designed for our new figures.

Obviously, something needs to be done. And the food industry and others are catching the wave towards making a profit. I recently ate at True Food Kitchen, a great restaurant with a “healthy menu…packed with nutritious, good-for-you vegetables, whole grain and proteins.” Their meals are absolutely delicious. But, unfortunately, as so often happens, their literature contains a mixture of truth and very unscientific nonsense. To be specific, yes, as they say, the food pyramid should be revised; fruits and vegetables need to be at the bottom. But, the inclusion of Asian mushrooms, tea, supplements, herbs and red wine in the pyramid is more trendy than accurate and is definitely more focused on Dr. Weil’s profit margin than on science. He charges only $4/week for diet advice, but more for meals at True Food Kitchen and for his supplement, Weil-Juvenon. Interestingly, a quick survey of the scientific literature for information on this supplement reveals that the only person to have published on it is a Dr. Ames, who appears to be in business with Dr. Weil. In addition, Weil-Juvenon has only been tested in rats, not in people. For more on supplements and vitamins, see past AITSE newsletters.

What about the claim that the True Food diet is anti-inflammatory? This assertion sounded very familiar to me because I recently read a book claiming the same thing about a Fleming diet: Stop Inflammation Now, by–Richard Fleming, MD. Dr. Fleming, a nuclear cardiologist from Nebraska, is not an immunologist and it shows. His book is an amazing mixture of truth (yes, we should eat right and exercise), scientific inaccuracies and ridiculous promises. In fact, he gets many well-known biological facts absolutely wrong! As an immunologist myself, his continuous mixing up of leukotrienes and interleukins was an immediate red flag. Another was his claim that 100% of the people he has treated (and who followed his diet plan) are cured of their cardiovascular disease. This book fails #2-#5 of the AITSE bunk-detecting principles. It appears that both Dr. Flemming and Dr. Weil are snowing people with scientific words so that they do as they say, buy their books and supplements, or even eat at their restaurant chain.

The truth about nutrition and health is somewhere in the middle, as truth often is. Of course it is healthy to eat fruits, vegetables, and unprocessed foods. But, if you are doing so, there is usually no need to take supplements or even get individualized diet advice. And if you are not, pills won’t help you. According to cardiologist Dr. Jay Hollman, “a person cannot be fat, lazy, and eat a rich diet and expect to be rescued by vitamin supplements, food technology, or the pharmaceutical industry.” So, get yourself an apple, sit back, and check out the October AITSE newsletter for information on influenza, exiled scientists, global warming, cheating scientists, and some more bunk science. And, if you find that the $4/week you had designated for Dr. Weil is burning a hole in your pocket, consider using it to support AITSE, where we present you with good science, based on impartial evaluation of evidence, not bunk. Then, go for a nice walk and enjoy Fall!