Denise Minger's new book: Death By Food Pyramid

Reading The China Study a couple of years ago, I was puzzled by all the fanfare. Take thousands or correlations, pick the ones you want and make your own case. Then, be sloppy about how you characterized the foods. Put chicken potpie in the meat category and ignore the industrial inflammatory carbs that make up the bulk of the dish.

Struck by the weakness of the book - viewed by vegans and vegetarians as “authoritative” - I searched the net for detailed critiques and quickly found those by English major Denise Minger. As a physician conditioned to turning first to the basic science and medical literature, I was struck by her critical mind as it delved into the cracks in the data and uncovered The China Study’s flimsy infrastructure. 

(I then read a debate between Dr. Loren Cordain, who has studied the Paleolithic diet for over 25 years, and T. Colin Campbell, the lead author of The China Study, and found a comment by Campbell discrediting the use of randomized studies -- after all, it's easier to make a case when one ignores the science.)

Now, Denise Minger, at the encouragement of publisher Mark Sisson, has written a book skewering the Food Pyramid. Since I have yet to read the book, I share Mark's comments:

“Now, with this book, she sets her sight on the disastrous, farcical USDA Food Pyramid, exposing the twisted liaisons between government and industry that enabled it and dismantling the shoddy science and erroneous conclusions supporting it.”

If you read the book, please share your thoughts.

Dr. John

Source: Introducing Death By Food Pyramid

Success Story: Vegetarian gives up high-grain, low-fat diet

"I decided to stop eating red meat when I was 12 years old. It was a decision I made based on something I had read about slaughterhouses. I eventually transitioned into a full-blown vegetarian. My mom followed suit and we primarily lived off veggie burgers and salads during my teen years. Oh yeah, and popcorn was a big staple in our house, with fat free “butter” sprayed all over it."

And later:

"Eating a high-grain low-fat diet was causing a host of issues, including an increase in seasonal allergies, acne problems, and constant digestion trouble."

Read more: Mark's Daily Apple

Success Story: Bryan in Galveston

Bryan Barksdale was a college student with stomach problems three years ago, even though he was a vegetarian and exercised regularly.

Then he read about the paleo/primal lifestyle and went retro.

He switched to the diet of his ancestors, heavy on meat, fish and fowl, and abstained from fast food and processed foods. His exercise took on a natural bent, including barefoot running.

Amazingly, his health improved.

The Daily News

Ethical case for veganism based on "dodgy arguments"

This will not be an easy column to write. I am about to put down 1,200 words in support of a book that starts by attacking me and often returns to this sport. But it has persuaded me that I was wrong. More to the point, it has opened my eyes to some fascinating complexities in what seemed to be a black and white case.

I was wrong about veganism. Let them eat meat – but farm it properly
George Monbiot 

Success Story: After 20 years on a plant-based diet

I started the Paleo diet about two years ago because the low-fat vegetarian thing that I’d been for twenty years just wasn’t working. Within three weeks, I’d lost three dress sizes (not so many pounds, but who’s counting), and my muscle tone had visibly improved. But the most amazing change was in my personality and health. It was as if someone had lifted a dark veil from my head. I sleep less but better, wake up happy, and look forward to my daily challenges. My hair loss and skin problems have vanished. My teeth are stronger, and my gums don’t bleed. My thyroid (which I claimed was enlarged, but doctors disagreed) has gone back to its normal size. I could go on and on.

Suzanne

The Paleo Answer