The Diane Rehm Show

Diet expert:
http://www.efn.org/~hkrieger/m_diet.jpg
from the series, "Mall-aise"
http://www.efn.org/~hkrieger/mallaise.htm

Thank you for covering this important subject. I'm already changing the way that I think about my diet and my children's diets. I was surprised by Dr. Lustig's disdainful reaction to the comments by the dietitian who called and I empathized with her. She was expressing exactly what I thought was true about calories and health. Before this show, she expressed what I thought was the best advice available about diet; simply watch your calorie intake and you will be ok. Dr. Lustig's research takes this conventional wisdom to a new level; Not only watch your calories, but which calories to intake.

He should have thanked the dietitian who called in because she spoke for many of us and Dr. Lustig's reprimand was not only for her but for all of us. This report would not have "hit home" without her call.

Thank you again for a great show.

Jimc, there has been so much talk about red wine. I got tired of it years ago. Maybe it offers some health benefit, maybe it doesn't. The best suggestion I heard from one doctor (I can't remember which one) was this: If you genuinely enjoy drinking red wine, by all means, drink red wine. If you don't enjoy drinking red wine, don't force yourself to drink it just because it might offer some health benefit, because the evidence for any benefit is not strong enough to justify drinking something you don't enjoy. One thing's for certain: Red wine is not some kind of magic bullet.

You asked about the "explanation" for the health benefit of red wine. Many of the claims stem from the antioxidant resveratrol, which is naturally present in wines (and other foods) in small amounts. Studies are being conducted on resveratrol, and it's not yet been determined what the benefits are to humans and what amounts are needed to obtain those benefits. Even if it turns out that resveratrol has some benefit, that doesn't necessarily mean that drinking a glass or two of red wine would be the best way to obtain a benefit. Remember all the hype about Vitamin C preventing colds? It was all bunk. We keep hoping for that magic bullet, that magic pill, or, in the case of wine, that magic glass. :-)

The best documentary I ever watched , two actually, are Forks Over Knives, and Vegucated....
There's FAR more to consider when opting for healthy nutrition than only what is in the best interest of humans.
According to those whose voices seem vacant from public discourse, such as Charolette Gerson, Dr. Neal Barnard, Dr. Michael Greger, and many others who write perscriptions to reverse obesity and ALL the diseases associated with it, the vibrant colors in plant foods provide our cells with high phytochemicals, fiber, micronutrients, and we loose weight besides.
Yogurt is a by product of cow mik, loaded with pus cells, NATURAL hormones, casein, an indigestible protein that invades the pancrease and results in problems with insulin production, the real cause of skyrocketing diabetes ( now rising in "developing" countries where dairy is promoted).
Fascinating that just when we are seeing a much needed focus on fresh fruits, veggies, and more plant foods, a doctor like this tells us not to worry too much about obesity. The media deck, I fear, is stacked towards food industries, drug makers, and medical people who make their living from disease, commonly called, "health care."

This is the first time I've registered to comment on a site. I did so just to express my sympathy for the dietician who called in and was so rudely treated by Dr. Lustig. I'm heartened to see that others found his reaction as offensive as I. Up until that call, I was quite intrigued with and persuaded by Dr. Lustig's message. His failure thoughtfully to listen to the earnest caller and at a minimum, treat her courteously, suggests that he's a defensive bully and calls into question his credibility. Diane, I hope you did something to help that poor women feels better about her public embarrassment by your guest.

I hope most listeners will not dismiss Dr. Lustig's insights simply because of his sharp response to the last caller.

I have heard him explain this previously on the People's Pharmacy program and was braced for his response, because she clearly had not understood what he was trying to get across. He has a fundamental disagreement with much of the mainstream dietary community over the "calories in, calories out" issue. He may have been frustrated to realize that he was almost at the end of the show but hadn't managed to make his point clearly.

The fact is, there is not scientific consensus on this issue. I happen to think Lustig is closer to a useful understanding of how it works than the establishment, but it is still being hotly debated.

A supporting source is Gary Taubes book "Good Calories, Bad Calories: Fats, Carbs, and the Controversial Science of Diet and Health"

John, Good comment. I too hope listeners will keep an open mind regarding what Dr. Lustig has to say. Gary Taubes has another book that covers the topic and reviews science behind current mainstream dietary recommendations: "Why We Get Fat: And What to Do About It". Thanks to this book, I lost 22 lb (without ever feeling hungry) in 3 months, when I thought it would not be possible for me. Now I eat better than ever. It will take a long time to reverse the dietary dogmas that are so entrenched that even scientist and doctors have a hard time accepting anything different. I learned the hard way that the low-fat diet and "calories in and out" will take you nowhere in the long run.