Winnipeg Free Press Newspaper Archives Apr 6 2015, Page 31

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - April 6, 2015, Winnipeg, Manitoba C M Y K PAGE 1 Difficult end- of- life choices / D3 ARTS & LIFE ARTS@ FREEPRESS. MB. CA I WINNIPEGFREEPRESS. COM I HOROSCOPE D4 I MISS LONELYHEARTS D4 I DIVERSIONS D6 MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015 D 1 D R. Dean Ornish, the innovator of the ultra- low- fat, low- cholesterol diet adopted by many heart- disease patients in the 1980s, is upset that eggs and other sources of dietary cholesterol are no longer considered evil artery cloggers. Last week in a New York Times opinion piece titled The Myth of High- Protein Diets , the California- based cardiologist bashed the notion that egg yolks and bacon are so- called “ health foods.” I don’t know anyone who would call fatty strips of smoked pork meat a health food. Ornish, in his article, was referring to the widely accepted idea that eating fat isn’t necessarily what is ruining our health. A growing number of health experts say it’s the sugar and highly processed carbohydrates that are hurting us. ( Think white bread, fibre- less crackers and sugar- laden yogurts touted as healthy because they are low- fat.) Duelling diets High protein? Low fat? The road to health is paved with contradictory advice HEALTHY LIVING SHAMONA HARNETT ERIK BUTLER / WASHINGTON POST FILES California cardiologist Dean Ornish wants people to know that high- protein, high- fat diets are a long way from healthy. April6– 12, 2015 FESTIVAL STARTS TODAY ! FESTIVAL SPONSOR: TELEVISION GALAS RECORDED BY: 5 These experts believe that certain fats — non- meat sources of fat, like the kinds found in avocado, nuts, olives and fish — increase heart health by lowering triglycerides and raising HDL, also known as good cholesterol. Also on Ornish’s radar: The U. S. Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee released a report recently stating that cholesterol is no longer a “ nutrient of concern.” This is a complete 180- degree turn from the committee’s previous recommendations ( which are similar to the what Dietitians of Canada recommend). Canadian dietitians advise people without heart disease to consume less than 300 milligrams of dietary cholesterol daily and recommend less than 200 milligrams for people with heart disease. Ornish cites research that links protein with negative health effects, including a study that links heavy consumers of animal protein with a 75 per cent increase in premature deaths from all causes. The same study says the animal protein eaters had a 400 per cent increase in deaths from cancer and Type 2 diabetes. While it’s true that eating meat without vegetables will likely lead to ill health, Ornish fails to acknowledge that a diet of whole grains, fruit and limited fats can lead to premature death in a large segment of the population — those with diabetes and socalled “ pre” Type 2 diabetes. According to the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that’s about 30 million people in the United States. In Canada, the numbers add up to about three million, according to the Canadian Diabetes Association. Ninety per cent of these cases are Type 2 diabetes, a lifestyle- related disease that many doctors say correlates to overconsumption of carbohydrates. Samples of Ornish- sanctioned meals include: an egg- white veggie frittata, one cup of fruit, low- fat milk and one slice of whole grain bread for breakfast. Lunch: About two cups of each of mango- beet salad, veggie chili and a slice of corn bread. Dinner: Salad with a fruit- based dressing; two cups of whole- wheat pasta and non- fat yogurt sweetened with cranberry juice and high- sugar fruits such as pineapple. For someone with diabetes ( like me, who has the Type 1 form) this way of eating could be the kiss of death. It’s high in carbohydrates and low in fat. Fat slows the absorption of carbs, which is particularly important for people with diabetes who are trying to avoid spikes in blood- sugar levels. Continued Please see DUELLING D 3 D_ 01_ Apr- 06- 15_ FP_ 01. indd D1 4/ 5/ 15 5: 11: 48 PM