By Kim Hartke, , for Omkara World
WASHINGTON — February 3rd, 2011 - As an alternative to the USDA lowfat, high-carbohydrate dietary guidelines, a Washington, DC nutrition foundation proposes a Healthy 4 Life dietary plan in the form of a colorful booklet and poster featuring four food groups: animal foods; grains, legumes and nuts; vegetables and fruits; and healthy fats.
Rather than prescribe one-size-fits-all levels of macronutrients—fats, carbohydrates and proteins—the Healthy 4 Life plan recommends nutrient-dense versions of animal and plant foods. The plan does not specify specific amounts of fats or carbohydrates because the need for these macronutrients varies with the individual. Those who engage in high levels of physical activity can incorporate more carbohydrates in the diet without gaining weight; those needing to lose weight or control blood glucose levels require more healthy fats in the diet as fats provide satiety and help keep blood sugar within a normal range.
"The proposed 2010 USDA Dietary Guidelines perpetuate the mistakes of previous guidelines in demonizing saturated fats and animal foods rich in saturated fatty acids such as egg yolks, butter, whole milk, cheese, and animal fats for cooking. The current obesity epidemic emerged as vegetable oils and refined carbohydrates replaced these healthy, nutrient-dense traditional fats. Animal fats supply many essential nutrients that are difficult to obtain from other sources," explains Sally Fallon Morell, president of the Weston A. Price Foundation.
The Weston A. Price Foundation is a nonprofit nutrition education foundation dedicated to providing accurate information about nutrition. Named for Dr. Weston A. Price, whose pioneering research discovered the vital importance of animal fats in human diets, the Foundation has warned against the dangers of lowfat and plant-based diets.
The Foundation has been critical of the unscientific demonization of saturated fats embedded in the USDA guidelines. “A recent meta-analysis of prospective epidemiologic studies found no evidence that dietary saturated fat is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease or cardiovascular disease,” said Fallon Morell
Further criticism of the USDA plan comes from the authors of a report entitled “In the face of contradictory evidence: Report of the Dietary Guidelines of Americans Committee,” published in the October, 2010 issue of the journal Nutrition. According to the authors, the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) Report “had the opportunity to review and evaluate the emerging science, to distinguish between established principles and ideas that are still areas of research or controversy, and to provide clear, consistent information for Americans. Instead, the 2010 DGAC Report continues to make one-size-fits-all recommendations that are based on evidence that is weak, fragmented and even contradictory in nature.”
Citing numerous examples of studies that were excluded from consideration, and studies the DGAC cited that actually contradict the Committee’s conclusions, the authors of the paper pinpoint the high-carbohydrate guidelines as the most likely cause for the dramatic increase of overweight, obesity and type 2 diabetes in the US over the past three decades. “The application of the DGAC recommendations has constituted a population-wide dietary experiment that should be brought to a halt,” says Adele H. Hite, MAT, lead author of the Nutrition article.
The colorful Healthy 4 Life booklet contains easy-to-understand explanations of the need for animal protein and saturated fats, along with basic recipes.
Fallon Morell notes that by restricting healthy animal fats in school lunches and diets for pregnant women and growing children, the USDA Guidelines will accelerate the tragic epidemic of learning and behavior disorders. The nutrients found most abundantly in animal fats and organ meats—including choline, cholesterol and arachidonic acid—are critical for the development of the brain and the function of receptors that modulate thinking and behavior.
The vitamins and fatty acids carried uniquely in saturated animal fats are necessary for normal reproduction. The Weston A. Price Foundation warns that the 2010 Guidelines will increase infertility in this country, already at tragically high rates.
The Healthy 4 Life booklet may be accessed in pdf format at Healthy 4 Life, ordered online at www.westonaprice.org or obtained by calling (202) 242-4394.
A press conference featuring scientists and health professionals on the alternative guidelines will take place at the National Press Club, February 14 at 9 AM.
For more info contact: Kimberly Hartke, Publicist Home office 703-860-2711 cell 703-675-5557 press@westonaprice.org
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