Lore of Nutrition

1. The Low-Carb Revolution: A Personal Journey of Health Transformation

Within weeks I saw an improvement in my health, well-being and running ability that I can still only describe as astonishing.

Personal transformation. Professor Tim Noakes, a renowned sports scientist, underwent a dramatic health transformation after adopting a low-carbohydrate, high-fat (LCHF) diet in December 2010. At 61 years old, he experienced rapid weight loss, improved running performance, and resolution of chronic health issues like dyspepsia, headaches, and allergies.

Scientific curiosity. Noakes' journey began with skepticism towards the Atkins diet but evolved into a scientific exploration of LCHF nutrition. His personal experiment led to a weight loss of 15 kilograms in 24 weeks, improved athletic performance, and better overall health. This experience sparked his mission to challenge conventional dietary wisdom and promote LCHF as a potential solution to global health crises.

2. Challenging Nutritional Orthodoxy: The Backlash Begins

Global obesity rates have risen dramatically since the adoption of the US dietary guidelines, which promote 6–11 daily servings of bread, cereals, rice and pasta.

Immediate backlash. As Noakes began sharing his findings and advocating for LCHF diets, he faced swift and intense criticism from the medical establishment. His regular column for Discovery Health was canceled, and prominent cardiologists publicly attacked his views.

Academic confrontation. In September 2012, a group of Cape Town cardiologists published an open letter in the media, coinciding with Noakes receiving a prestigious scientific award. They accused him of promoting dangerous and unproven dietary advice, highlighting the resistance to challenging established nutritional dogma within academic circles.

3. The Science Behind Low-Carb, High-Fat Diets

Humans have eaten meat for millions of years, but grains for only the last 20 000 years or so.

Evolutionary perspective. LCHF diets align more closely with human evolutionary history, as our ancestors primarily consumed meat, fish, and other high-fat foods for millions of years. The relatively recent introduction of grains and high-carbohydrate foods into the human diet may contribute to modern health issues.

Satiety and addiction. High-protein, low-carbohydrate diets promote satiety, while carbohydrate-rich diets can drive hunger and potentially lead to addiction-like behaviors. This difference in satiety may explain the effectiveness of LCHF diets for sustainable weight loss and improved metabolic health.

4. Insulin Resistance: The Hidden Epidemic

Ignoring IR undermines the practise of chronic medicine.

Underlying cause. Insulin resistance (IR) is a key factor in many chronic diseases, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. Noakes argues that addressing IR through dietary interventions, particularly LCHF diets, is crucial for effective treatment and prevention of these conditions.

Paradigm shift. Recognizing the role of IR in chronic diseases challenges the conventional approach of treating symptoms with pharmaceuticals. Instead, it suggests that nutritional interventions targeting insulin sensitivity could be more effective in addressing the root cause of many modern health issues.

5. The Diet-Heart Hypothesis: A Flawed Paradigm

There is no evidence that a high-fat diet is harmful to health.

Challenging conventional wisdom. The diet-heart hypothesis, which posits that saturated fat causes heart disease, has been the foundation of dietary guidelines for decades. However, Noakes and other researchers argue that this hypothesis lacks robust scientific evidence and may have contributed to the global rise in obesity and metabolic diseases.

Rethinking cholesterol. Noakes questions the role of cholesterol as the primary cause of heart disease, particularly in women. This challenges the widespread use of cholesterol-lowering medications (statins) and suggests the need for a more nuanced approach to cardiovascular health.

6. Big Food and Big Pharma: Vested Interests in Nutrition

There is a saying that to find the root cause, follow the money trail.

Industry influence. The food and pharmaceutical industries have significant financial interests in maintaining the status quo of nutritional guidelines. These industries benefit from the continued consumption of high-carbohydrate, processed foods and the use of medications to treat resulting health issues.

Conflict of interest. Noakes argues that many nutrition researchers and medical professionals are influenced by industry funding, leading to biased research and recommendations. This conflict of interest may explain the resistance to alternative dietary approaches like LCHF, despite growing evidence of their efficacy.

7. The HPCSA Trial: Persecution for Challenging the Status Quo

I have become the first medical scientist in modern medical history to be prosecuted for his views on nutrition.

Legal battle. In 2014, Noakes was charged with unprofessional conduct by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) for a single tweet advising a breastfeeding mother about LCHF diets. This unprecedented legal action highlighted the extent of opposition to his views.

Scientific showdown. The trial, dubbed "the Nutrition Trial of the 21st Century," became a platform for Noakes to present extensive scientific evidence supporting LCHF diets. Over 25 days of hearings, he and his team presented nearly 1,200 slides and cited 350 publications, turning the trial into a comprehensive examination of nutrition science.

8. Unintended Consequences: How Criticism Amplified the Message

If ever there was an illustration of the lesson in unintended consequences, then the case against me is the classic example.

Increased visibility. The attempts to discredit and silence Noakes paradoxically amplified his message. The media coverage of the HPCSA trial and the public attacks on his character drew more attention to LCHF diets and the scientific evidence supporting them.

Global support. The controversy surrounding Noakes' views led to an outpouring of support from international experts and the public. This support culminated in the organization of the Old Mutual Health Convention in Cape Town, which brought together leading LCHF researchers and practitioners from around the world.

9. The Global Impact of LCHF: From South Africa to the World

We have generated a whole discipline of nutritional science [ignoring Bradford Hill's criteria], and we wonder why we have got it all so very wrong.

Scientific revolution. The LCHF movement, sparked in part by Noakes' advocacy, has grown into a global scientific revolution challenging established nutritional guidelines. Researchers worldwide are re-examining the evidence behind dietary recommendations and exploring the potential of LCHF diets for treating chronic diseases.

Patient empowerment. The spread of LCHF information has empowered patients to take control of their health through dietary changes. Many people have reported significant improvements in weight, blood sugar control, and overall well-being by adopting LCHF diets, often in contradiction to conventional medical advice.

10. The Future of Nutrition: Embracing Evidence-Based Approaches

If we have the individual and collective courage, we can acknowledge our insanity, admit our errors and start the healing process by adopting the solutions presented by the speakers at this summit.

Paradigm shift. Noakes calls for a fundamental shift in how we approach nutrition and health, emphasizing the need to embrace evidence-based approaches even when they challenge long-held beliefs. This includes reconsidering the role of carbohydrates, fats, and insulin in health and disease.

Preventive focus. The LCHF movement emphasizes the potential of dietary interventions to prevent and treat chronic diseases, potentially reducing reliance on pharmaceutical interventions. This approach aligns with a growing recognition of the importance of lifestyle factors in health outcomes.

• Key areas for future research and policy:
  • Long-term effects of LCHF diets on various health outcomes
  • Personalized nutrition based on individual metabolic responses
  • Re-evaluation of dietary guidelines based on robust scientific evidence
  • Integration of LCHF approaches into mainstream medical education and practice

Last updated: September 10, 2024