Sometimes I have to laugh at people's perception of illness and disease. I've been treating patients for nearly 20 years and people come to my office every day amazed that they've become sick. It is almost with superstitious foreboding that they describe how they suddenly got sick, as if some lurking creature was lying in wait to pounce, unsuspecting on them. Then Wham! They're sick. And they often are truly puzzled at how they could have gotten sick.

This morning as I was reading through the South Beach Diet, I thumbed to the back of the book to check the footnotes and references. There were none. The same is true for Atkins, Eat for your Type (the Blood Type Diet), and the Zone Diet. A lot of it sounds good and reasonable, is very interesting, and the authors make their points convincingly, but the mountains of research in diet and nutrition do not support these diets. In all fairness, there is a growing body of research, but so far the results are split. Some studies suggest that a Low-Carb, High Protein diet is as effective as a low-fat diet in losing weight; some studies suggest the High-Carb diet is more successful. These studies all look at weight loss as the primary criteria for measuring success of a diet, not health. The real issue should be the level of health and long-term lifestyle changes that can be maintained. A six-month or even one-year study does not take into account the phenomenal rebound effect of the Low-Carb diets. Losing weight does no good if you gain it right back.

Too often I see people who are looking for short-cuts to slim the body but who are unwilling to eat healthy and exercise. You cannot cheat the laws of health and nature. Healthy eating and lifestyle programs such as those put forth by Drs. Andrew Weil, John McDougall, Dean Ornish, Joel Fuhrman and John Robbins have page after page of scientific documentation and justification. These physicians are careful not to make ANY claims that cannot be reinforced with multiple scientific studies. And yet, their dietary plans, which can each be summed up simply as "Eating wholesome natural, healthy foods", are regarded as backwards, outdated and unrealistic. I currently recommend, Eat to Live, by Joel Furhman, M.D.

I guess what bugs me is the attitude that I perceive behind this Low-Carb movement. Without a doubt these diets can help you lose weight, but you can be sacrificing your health by doing so. Some are definitely better and healthier than others. From what I have read, the South Beach Diet is the best and Atkins (at least the earlier versions) are the worst. South Beach, developed by a cardiologist, does focus on healthy carbs and fats. It's a healthy approach, especially for those unwilling to eat a predominately vegetarian diet.

Food is such an emotionally charged issue. We like to eat the food we were raised with. We like our sweets and treats. Many adults resent being told to change their eating habits and lifestyle. Carbohydrates are not the enemy. Over indulgence of nutritionally poor foods is. Eating a balanced diet of nutrient-rich whole foods is what has supported healthy human life for millennia. I believe the right diet plan is:

Not Low-Carb, Not High-Carb, Not No-Fat, Not High-Protein. Healthy Whole Food. The kind our bodies were designed to eat. Not food manipulated and designed in some high tech laboratory. The kind of food that grows out of the ground. You know, plant the seeds, give plenty of water, sunshine, compost. Pull the weeds (don't spray everything with poison). Harvest when ripe and eat. You know, Food.

And so, we continue to shout our unpopular message of health hoping someday the tide will turn and the masses will wake up and realize that eating foods that are wholesome, natural and (we believe) delicious really will bring true health, vitality and longevity. We have long felt that if we wanted to cripple America's Healthcare System, all we would need to do, as a people, is eat a very healthy diet and exercise regularly. But we would all have to do it. Not likely, is it? What do you teach your children about following fads and quick-fixes?

~ Dr. Kyle D. Christensen ~

"Herbal first Aid is insightful, clear, and an easy to follow resource book on herbs. It covers herbal lifesaving techniques, storage of herbal remedies and ancient herbal wisdom. This book is a must for alternative health practitioners and I am looking forward to having it in my collection of books on remedies and first aid". - Ellen w. Cutler, D.C. Author of The Food Allergy Cure