Intro (0:00)Sarah loves that the format of this podcast allows both her and Stacy to tackle current events as they are unfolding in the mediaAnd just this week there was a frenzy of negativity on the Paleo diet that was first shared in Australian media, and the stories then reached global media channelsSo for this week's show Stacy and Sarah want to discuss the current media that is misrepresenting a scientific article and where that all came from, but to also discuss how Paleo tends to be very attacked in the media and how often we typically see critiques of the Paleo diet that completely misrepresent what the Paleo diet even isStacy is curious to see what the long-term buzz around this media will beThe first article that Sarah saw was from a British journal titled, "The Paleo diet is dangerous and increases weight-gain, diabetes expert claims"So this prompted Sarah to look into the science behind this article that supported this claim and she found that there was no link to the original research, however, she found other media articles on the same topic that led her to the original study Sarah shared the other sensationalized article titlesSarah was eventually able to dig through all the articles to find the original, and the title was 'A low carbohydrate, high-fat diet increases weight-gain and does not improve glucose tolerance, insulin secretion, or beta cell mass in New Zealand obese mice' These mice were specifically developed in the last ten years to study diabetesThey are a highly susceptible mouseHow the study was structured and what the researchers analyzed from the resultsWhat the study revealedThe rebuttal to the study that Sarah shared on her site HEREThe conclusions from the researches on their abstract essentially said, "a low carbohydrate, high-fat diet is unlikely to be of benefit for preventing the decline of beta cell function associated with hyperglycemia and type-2 diabetics" Sarah's takeaway was, 'great - I too don't agree with a ketogenic diet'However, the press release likened the structure of the diet that was used in the study to Paleo, by specifically calling out celebrities and stating that their recommendations have no basis in scientific literatureSarah gets worked up about this kind of critique of the Paleo diet because the study in no way represents the merits of a Paleo dietHow shady Stacy found the quote on celebrities to be "Mass media hype around these diets, particularly driven by celebrity chefs, celebrity weight-loss stories in the tabloid media and reality TV shows are leading to more people trying fad diets backed by little evidence. In people with pre-diabetes or those with diabetes, the low-carb, high-fat diet could be particularly risky. Low-Carbohydrate, high-fat diets are becoming more popular, but there is no scientific evidence that these diets work. In fact, if you put an inactive individual on this type of diet the chances are that person will gain weight." - this was said by the President of the Australian Diabetes SocietyWhere there is merit in this authors points, and where he exaggerates the detailsThe diet studied was structured around 81% calories from fat, 13% calories from protein, and 6% calories from carbohydratesThis diet is a ketogenic diet to a T, and you can find more on Sarah's site here on the negative effects of a ketogenic dietSo first point, a ketogenic diet does not equal a Paleo dietThe other problems with the press release and where the details were exaggeratedNothing in the study looked at the quality aspect of the foods endorsed by a Paleo diet There are two other episodes that discuss the difference between nutrient quality of a Paleo diet versus the nutrient quality of a ketogenic diet, which you can find HERE and HEREThe ingredients of the diet used in this specific study and the questions surrounding the ingredients that were selectedWhy is Paleo so consistently misrepresented in the media?The level of frustration it gives Sarah to see science so grossly misrepresented in the mediaThe responses from the Paleo community that discredit the study because it is done in mice, and Sarah notes that this isn't a fair critique of the study Animal studies are incredibly well validated strategies for understanding human healthIt is a bad habit to dismiss evidence that may contrast with our viewsRecognize that we don't have all the answers and be open to assimilating new information, even if it contrasts with previous studiesIt is responsible of us to look at studies objectivelySarah notes that it is important to think critically and that there is a way that we as a community can discourage such aggressive attacks by putting our support behind rebuttals, behind those who are being attacked, and commenting on these studies in a measured way The best response is measured and logicalDefinitely engage, but keep it mature and respectful - demonstrate just how much support this Paleo community really hasAnd when you see media articles like this, try not to take them personallyStay true to what you knowDon't forget to tell your friends, comment on show notes and social media, and please leave those reviewsStacy also wants to thank those who came out to the event at the Organic ButcherOutro (1:02:31)
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