Martha
Rosenberg: I was surprised to find
recipes in your book and even more
surprised by some of your dietary recommendations such as avoiding a low-fat diet and eating a lot of olive oil. A lot
of experts have recommended a
low-fat diet.
Barbara
Roberts: The first thing I prescribe
to my patients who have low levels of the "good" or HDL cholesterol is two to
three tablespoons of olive oil a day and in every case the HDL increases..
Olive oil is rich in polyphenols which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant
effects. Several studies have shown that the Mediterranean diet reduces total
mortality and especially death from cardiovascular disease yet it gets little
media attention. The Mediterranean diet is a plant-based diet that includes colorful vegetables,
fruits, whole grains, beans, cheese, nuts, olive oil, seafood, red wine with
meals, and very little meat.
Martha
Rosenberg: You indict professional
medical associations like the American Heat Association (AHA) for profiteering
at the public's expense by calling harmful foods healthful in exchange for
corporate money.
Barbara
Roberts: For years, the AHA preached
the gospel of the low-fat diet, calling it the "corner- stone" of its
dietary recommendations though there was, and is, no evidence of its benefit. The
AHA rakes in millions from food corporations for the use of its
"heart-check mark." Some of the so called heart healthy foods it has
endorsed include Boar's Head All Natural Ham which contains 340 milligrams of
sodium in a 2-ounce serving and Boar's Head EverRoast Oven Roasted Chicken
Breast which contains 440 milligrams of sodium in a 2-ounce serving. High
sodium intake raises blood pressure which increases the risk of cardiovascular
disease. In addition, studies have shown that eating processed meat increases
the risk of diabetes and atherosclerosis.
Martha
Rosenberg: You are not afraid to
express strong opinions. You say that the AHA has "sold its soul,"
that medical centers conducting drug trials for Big Pharma have become
"hired hands" and that one university medical center is Big Pharma's
"lapdog." Are you afraid of retaliation from Big Pharma, medical
centers or the colleagues you work with?
Barbara
Roberts: I haven't received any
communiquà ©s from Big Pharma. A few
colleagues have expressed dismay, but I am thick-skinned and hard-headed and
don't care what they say. My main concern is the health and safety of my
patients.
Martha Rosenberg's new book about food and drug dangers, Born
with a Junk Food Deficiency , is now
available as a hardcover
or ebook.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
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