The*Empress
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Low-fat diets lose luster
Thu Feb 9, 6:48 AM ET
Alas, it seems there's no quick, sure way to lose weight and ensure good health - no matter how carefully you follow the latest advice. Sometimes, each new study seems to contradict a previous one.
Not long ago, it was generally estimated that 400,000 Americans a year die from obesity. Oops. A new study last year by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that obesity accounts for only 26,000 deaths, and that a few extra pounds might add to longevity.
Similarly, hormone replacement therapy was once thought to protect postmenopausal women against heart attack or stroke. Subsequent studies say it doesn't.
Yesterday's conventional wisdom is today's myth. No wonder so many are skeptical about whether any study can be believed.
The latest surprising finding is that low-fat diets don't reduce the rate of heart disease, stroke, breast cancer or colorectal cancer, or even result in greater weight loss. That's the conclusion of a government-sponsored study published Wednesday in the
Journal of the American Medical Association. It followed nearly 50,000 overweight, postmenopausal women for an average of eight years.
The finding appears to overturn long-held ideas. Decades ago, researchers noticed that cancer rates were lower in Third World countries, and they theorized that the difference could be attributed to low-fat, high-fiber diets. A succession of studies supported that idea. As the public bought in, low-fat diets reached fad status. The market responded, and their promoters became media stars.
Now that belief is at least in doubt. But before you begin scarfing down Krispy Kremes, keep in mind that every study has limitations. This one got attention because it is a long-term study of an unusually large group. But not a particularly diverse group. It remains to be learned whether the same effects would be seen in younger women or in men.
The low-fat study only means that there's no magic bullet, which leaves an obvious if unpleasant fact: Good health comes from a balanced diet, frequent exercise and avoiding obvious risks. Family history and genes count for a lot also, regardless of diet.
So eat less, eat better, don't smoke and exercise regularly. There's nothing terribly revolutionary about those ideas, nor is new research likely to remove them from the category of conventional wisdom. All they take is willpower, and not pinning hopes to the newest fad.

Thu Feb 9, 6:48 AM ET
Alas, it seems there's no quick, sure way to lose weight and ensure good health - no matter how carefully you follow the latest advice. Sometimes, each new study seems to contradict a previous one.
Not long ago, it was generally estimated that 400,000 Americans a year die from obesity. Oops. A new study last year by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that obesity accounts for only 26,000 deaths, and that a few extra pounds might add to longevity.
Similarly, hormone replacement therapy was once thought to protect postmenopausal women against heart attack or stroke. Subsequent studies say it doesn't.
Yesterday's conventional wisdom is today's myth. No wonder so many are skeptical about whether any study can be believed.
The latest surprising finding is that low-fat diets don't reduce the rate of heart disease, stroke, breast cancer or colorectal cancer, or even result in greater weight loss. That's the conclusion of a government-sponsored study published Wednesday in the
Journal of the American Medical Association. It followed nearly 50,000 overweight, postmenopausal women for an average of eight years.
The finding appears to overturn long-held ideas. Decades ago, researchers noticed that cancer rates were lower in Third World countries, and they theorized that the difference could be attributed to low-fat, high-fiber diets. A succession of studies supported that idea. As the public bought in, low-fat diets reached fad status. The market responded, and their promoters became media stars.
Now that belief is at least in doubt. But before you begin scarfing down Krispy Kremes, keep in mind that every study has limitations. This one got attention because it is a long-term study of an unusually large group. But not a particularly diverse group. It remains to be learned whether the same effects would be seen in younger women or in men.
The low-fat study only means that there's no magic bullet, which leaves an obvious if unpleasant fact: Good health comes from a balanced diet, frequent exercise and avoiding obvious risks. Family history and genes count for a lot also, regardless of diet.
So eat less, eat better, don't smoke and exercise regularly. There's nothing terribly revolutionary about those ideas, nor is new research likely to remove them from the category of conventional wisdom. All they take is willpower, and not pinning hopes to the newest fad.

No fun in thick neck syndrome, eh?
