Discussion Board

Hi Jeff - I saw in O Magazine this month (not a place that I go to for medical advice) three studies from several major universities on weight loss and health. The universities involved were Stanford, Harvard and the Ben Gurion University of the Negev, and Univ of Missouri. the diets that were studied were low carb, low fat, zone, mediterranean, and Ornish. It was the inclusion of the Ornish diet that got my attention. They also included exercise. They concluded that low carb diet and exercise were the best. I couldn't believe it! Their version of low carb was Atkins. I've never known anyone to keep off weight with this diet or stick with it for any length of time. They even showed low carb as cutting health risks - they said that all diet groups saw improvements in cholesterol, insulin, glucose, triglycerides and blood pressure. They finally concluded that all diets work etc, etc.
I don't know if these studies didn't go on long enough or what ( I think that they followed the participants for a year), but I was so excited to see the article ( before I read it) because I just assumed that they would find Ornish type diet so much healthier. Can you comment or clarify in any way? Don't worry - I feel great, and would never change my eating plan. I just like to see things that explain our way of eating to the general public. Thanks, LauraA

Hi Laura

You can find a discussion on this study here, along with links to my explanation and Dr McDougalls. My comments about Men's Health apply equally to O magazine. It is not a source of accurate health information.

http://www.drmcdougall.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=9093



I agree, but as far as mainstream media goes, it will probably not happen as that is not the interest of most Americans nor of the medial outlets. And, it is just not the problem with nutrition/health but most any topic. Do you know of any topic that you think the mainstream media presents in an accurate way to the general public? I don't. It is sad, but I do not see it changing anytime soon.

Forgive them, for they know not what they do!

Besides, this is an open public forum, so we are doing our best.

In Health
Jeff

Thank you so much, Jeff. You certainly have done so much to help me with all questions that I have had, and I've also learned so much from your replies to others. I thank you for your wonderful contribution to the heath of so many of us. Take care, LauraA

Thank you!!

In Health
Jeff

It really bugs me that a magazine like Oprah won't present the truth - guess they don't want to believe it. I quit reading magazines several years ago, (used to love them) when I realized that they put forth incorrect information regularily. Now I just tell myself to consider the source - of the info that is - taken off the wire, or from articles that the writer doesn't examine carefully. In the vast majority of cases the writer doesn't have the appropriate educational background to examine them.