1
Every time there's another
news story about the obesity
every time there's
another news story about
the obesity epidemic,
TV and film crews run
news story about the
obesity epidemic, TV and
film crews run out and
shoot footage like this,
epidemic, TV and film
crews run out and shoot
footage like this, in case
you don't know what fat
out and shoot footage like this, in case
you don't know what fat people look like.
In case you don't know what fat people
look like. Frankly, this annoys me.
People look like. Frankly, this annoys me.
How would you like to sit down
frankly, this annoys me. How would you like
to sit down to watch the evening news and
how would you like to
sit down to watch the
evening news and find out
some camera crew picked
to watch the evening
news and find out some
camera crew picked you
to represent fat people
find out some camera crew picked you
to represent fat people everywhere?
You to represent fat people everywhere?
But there's an even bigger
everywhere? But there's an even
bigger reason it annoys me.
But there's an even bigger reason it annoys
me. When they show footage like this
reason it annoys me. When they show footage
like this and then tell you that one
when they show footage
like this and then tell
you that one quarter
of American adults are
and then tell you that
one quarter of American
adults are obese, you
probably think a
quarter of American
adults are obese, you
probably think a quarter
of us look like this.
Obese, you probably
think a quarter of us
look like this. And
that's baloney, because I
quarter of us look like this.
And that's
baloney, because I shot
this footage in three
and that's baloney, because
I shot this footage
in three different
locations, and it took
shot this footage in three different
locations, and it took me hours to get it.
Different locations, and it took me hours
to get it. If there's such an epidemic out
me hours to get it. If there's such an
epidemic out there, it should have taken me
if there's such an epidemic out there,
it should have taken me 10 minutes.
There, it should have taken me 10 minutes.
The next time you hear that one
10 minutes. The next time you hear that
one quarter of American adults are
the next time you hear that
one quarter of American
adults are obese, here's
something to keep
quarter of American adults are obese,
here's something to keep in mind.
Obese, here's something to keep in mind.
See that guy right there?
In mind. See that guy right there?
According to the government,
see that guy right there? According
to the government, he's obese.
According to the government, he's obese.
I know because that guy is me.
He's obese. I know because that guy is me.
When I started looking into
I know because that guy is me.
When I started
looking into the so-called
obesity epidemic,
when I started looking
into the so-called
obesity epidemic, along
with what supposedly
the so-called obesity epidemic, along with
what supposedly constitutes a good or a bad
along with what supposedly
constitutes a good
or a bad diet, didn't
take long to figure
constitutes a good or a
bad diet, didn't take
long to figure out we've
been fed a load of
diet, didn't take long to figure out
we've been fed a load of baloney.
Out we've been fed a load of baloney.
Government agencies have been
baloney. Government agencies
have been feeding us baloney.
Government agencies have been feeding us
baloney. Researchers and scientists have
feeding us baloney. Researchers and
scientists have been feeding us baloney.
Researchers and scientists
have been feeding
us baloney. Even a
muckraking documentary
been feeding us baloney. Even a muckraking
documentary filmmaker fed us a load of
even a muckraking documentary
filmmaker fed us a load of baloney.
Filmmaker fed us a load of baloney.
In fact, let's start with him.
Baloney. In fact, let's start with him.
A few years ago, filmmaker
in fact, let's start with him.
A few years
ago, filmmaker Morgan
spurlock called upon his
a few years ago, filmmaker
Morgan spurlock
called upon his several
days of experience as a
Morgan spurlock called
upon his several days of
experience as a nutrition
expert to identify the
several days of experience
as a nutrition expert
to identify the evil culprit
who's making people
nutrition expert to
identify the evil culprit
who's making people
fat -- fast food.
Evil culprit who's making people fat --
fast food. And to prove his point, he ate
fat -- fast food. And to prove his point,
he ate nothing but McDonald's for a
and to prove his point,
he ate nothing but
McDonald's for a month
and showed us how his
nothing but McDonald's
for a month and showed
us how his once-beautiful
body deteriorated
month and showed us how his once-beautiful
body deteriorated as he gained 25 pounds.
Once-beautiful body
deteriorated as he gained
25 pounds. We also
heard an interesting
as he gained 25 pounds. We also heard an
interesting theory about saturated fat and
we also heard an
interesting theory about
saturated fat and sexual
performance that we'll
theory about saturated fat
and sexual performance
that we'll just file
under the category of
sexual performance that
we'll just file under
the category of "too
much information."
Just file under the category of
"too much information."
"Too much information."
Of
course, a movie about a guy
Of course, a movie about a
guy who goes to Mickey d's and gains
of course, a movie about
a guy who goes to Mickey
d's and gains four or
five pounds probably
who goes to Mickey d's
and gains four or five
pounds probably wouldn't
make a big splash on
four or five pounds probably wouldn't make
a big splash on the film-festival circuit.
Wouldn't make a big splash on the
film-festival circuit.
The film-festival circuit. So spurlock didn't just eat at
So spurlock didn't just
eat at McDonald's, he mcstuffed himself
so spurlock didn't just
eat at McDonald's, he
mcstuffed himself on
purpose for a solid month,
McDonald's, he mcstuffed
himself on purpose
for a solid month,
consuming more than 5,000
on purpose for a solid month, consuming
more than 5,000 calories per day, including
consuming more than 5,000 calories per
day, including nearly a gallon of soda.
Calories per day, including nearly a
gallon of soda.
Nearly a gallon of soda. That's one way to get a big, fat
That's one
way to get a big, fat box office.
That's one way to get a big, fat box
office. "Super size me" was an amusing
box office. "Super size me" was an
amusing documentary, but it was full of
"super size me" was an amusing
documentary, but it was full of baloney.
Documentary, but it was full of baloney.
I mean, come on, 5,000 calories
baloney. I mean, come on, 5,000 calories
per day of pretty much anything
I mean, come on, 5,000
calories per day of pretty
much anything is gonna
make you fat and screw
per day of pretty much anything is gonna
make you fat and screw up your health.
Is gonna make you fat and screw up your
health. Isn't it also possible to live
up your health. Isn't it also possible
to live on fast food and actually lose
isn't it also possible to live on
fast food and actually lose weight?
On fast food and actually lose weight?
Or would all that fatty food
weight? Or would all that fatty
food make losing weight impossible?
Or would all that fatty food make losing
weight impossible? I decided to find out.
People say I'm playing
games but I say I'm a fathead
games but I say I'm a fathead
fathead, fathead, yeah
but I say I'm a fathead fathead,
fathead, yeah I'm gonna start thinking
fathead, fathead, yeah I'm
gonna start thinking smarter
I'm gonna start thinking
smarter fathead, fathead, yeah
smarter fathead, fathead,
yeah I'm gonna start thinking
fathead, fathead, yeah I'm
gonna start thinking smarter
I'm gonna start thinking
smarter fathead, fathead, yeah
smarter fathead, fathead, yeah
since so many people want to
fathead, fathead, yeah
since so many people
want to blame fast-food
restaurants for
since so many people
want to blame fast-food
restaurants for making
people fat, I thought I
blame fast-food restaurants
for making people
fat, I thought I should
hang around McDonald's
making people fat, I thought
I should hang around
McDonald's and see if
anyone would drag me
should hang around
McDonald's and see if anyone
would drag me inside
and make me eat their
and see if anyone would drag me
inside and make me eat their food.
Inside and make me eat their food.
It didn't happen.
Food. It didn't happen. I was
also ignored by the staff
it didn't happen. I was also ignored by
the staff at taco bell, Carl's Jr., and
I was also ignored by the staff at taco
bell, Carl's Jr., and popeyes chicken.
At taco bell, Carl's Jr., and popeyes
chicken. Back at McDonald's, I started to
popeyes chicken. Back at McDonald's, I
started to feel hungry and slightly
back at McDonald's, I
started to feel hungry
and slightly rejected
and went inside for a
feel hungry and slightly rejected and
went inside for a double cheeseburger.
Rejected and went inside for a double
cheeseburger. Afterwards, I wrote down my
double cheeseburger. Afterwards, I wrote
down my first no-baloney conclusion...
Next, I visited a half-dozen
different McDonald's
to see if anyone would
force me to consume
different McDonald's to
see if anyone would force
me to consume a big,
sugary soda or a large
anyone would force me to consume a big,
sugary soda or a large order of fries.
A big, sugary soda or a large order of
fries. Total is $4.10 at the first
order of fries. Total is
$4.10 at the first window.
Total is $4.10 at the first window.
Okay.
Window. Okay. Hey,
if I don't order fries,
okay. Hey, if I don't order
fries, you don't try to make me eat
hey, if I don't order fries, you don't
try to make me eat them, do you?
You don't try to make me eat them, do you?
I'm sorry?
Them, do you? I'm sorry?
If I don't order fries, you
I'm sorry? If I don't order fries,
you don't try to make me eat them,
if I don't order fries, you don't
try to make me eat them, do you?
Don't try to make me eat
them, do you? No.
Do you? No. Okay.
Just confirming that.
No. Okay. Just confirming that.
Thank you.
Okay. Just confirming that. Thank you.
That didn't happen, either.
Thank you. That didn't happen, either.
So I wrote down my next
that didn't happen, either. So I wrote
down my next no-baloney conclusion...
But just to be sure, I practiced steeling
my resolve. Would you like a hot apple
steeling my resolve. Would
you like a hot apple pie?
Would you like a hot apple pie?
No.
Pie? No. Would
you like a hot-fudge
no. Would you like
a hot-fudge sundae?
Would you like a hot-fudge sundae?
No.
Sundae? No. Would
you like a large order
no. Would you like
a large order of fries?
Would you like a large order of fries?
Those smell pretty good.
Of fries? Those smell pretty good.
Those smell pretty good. Would you like a large order
Would you
like a large order of fries?
Would you like a large
order of fries? No.
Of fries? No. I now
felt safe to begin my own
no. I now felt safe to
begin my own fast-food diet.
I now felt safe to begin my own fast-food
diet. Okay, here are my rules.
Fast-food diet. Okay, here are my rules.
For the next 30 days, I'm going
okay, here are my rules.
For the next 30
days, I'm going to live
on a fast-food diet,
for the next 30 days, I'm going to live
on a fast-food diet, mostly McDonald's.
To live on a fast-food
diet, mostly
McDonald's. But instead
of eating everything
mostly McDonald's. But instead of eating
everything on the menu or anything some
but instead of eating
everything on the menu
or anything some counter
clerk suggests, I'm
on the menu or anything some counter clerk
suggests, I'm going to operate under a
counter clerk suggests,
I'm going to operate
under a slightly
different premise.
You want to hear something
pretty compelling? Whew.
Pretty compelling? Whew.
That'll make you tell your
whew. That'll make
you tell your secrets.
That'll make you tell your secrets.
Yeah. Right.
Secrets. Yeah. Right. I'm
looking at your brain when I
yeah. Right. I'm looking
at your brain when I do that.
I'm looking at your brain when I do that.
Okay. It's there.
Do that. Okay. It's there.
Yeah, it's there.
Okay. It's there. Yeah, it's there.
Couple of rocks.
Have you ever been
told you had a murmur?
A murmur? Mnh-mnh.
Mnh-mnh. That's
because you don't have
that's because
you don't have one.
One. You scared
the hell out of
you scared the
hell out of me.
Now, on camera, tell me how good
that was. I didn't feel a thing.
Good that was. I didn't feel a thing.
There you go.
I didn't feel a thing. There you go.
A junkie couldn't have done
there you go. A junkie
couldn't have done that any better.
A junkie couldn't have done
that any better.
That any better.
That's not the analogy I was
That's not the
analogy I was hoping for.
That's not the analogy I was hoping for.
Oh. Okay.
Hoping for. Oh. Okay.
And what do you do for
oh. Okay. And what do you
do for physical activity, tom?
And what do you do for
physical activity, tom? Walk.
Physical activity, tom?
Walk. Daily?
Walk. Daily?
Usually two, three times a
daily? Usually
two, three times a week.
Usually two, three times a week.
Briskly?
Week. Briskly? Yeah.
For about five miles.
Briskly? Yeah. For about five miles.
Good. Good. Good.
Yeah. For about five miles. Good.
Good. Good. And I'm glad that you don't run
good. Good. Good. And I'm glad that you
don't run 'cause I'm not a big fan of
and I'm glad that you don't run
'cause I'm not a big fan of that.
'Cause I'm not a big fan of that.
And out.
That. And out.
And out. Okay.
Okay. You
didn't tell me that you work
okay. You didn't tell me that you
work out, but I'm feeling lots of
you didn't tell me that you work out,
but I'm feeling lots of muscle here.
Out, but I'm feeling lots of muscle here.
Are you just blessed with this?
Muscle here. Are you just
blessed with this? Seriously?
Are you just blessed with this? Seriously?
Uh, that's the good news.
Seriously? Uh, that's the good news.
Now for the bad news.
Uh, that's the good news. Now
for the bad news. Are we done?
Now for the bad news. Are we done?
Yeah, we're done.
Are we done? Yeah, we're done.
We're done.
Yeah, we're done. We're done.
I'm afraid to look.
We're done. I'm afraid to look.
It's hard. It's high.
31. .2. 31.2.
.2. 31.2. Mm.
31.2. Mm. Yeah.
Mm. Yeah.
So, that is high.
I knew going in I
was overweight, but
according to the current
medical definition,
overweight, but according to the
current medical definition, I'm obese.
The current medical
definition, I'm obese. Obese?
I'm obese. Obese? You
mean at 5 foot 11,
obese? You mean at 5 foot 11,
206 pounds, I'm part of the
you mean at 5 foot 11, 206 pounds,
I'm part of the obesity epidemic?
206 pounds, I'm part of the obesity
epidemic? Well, apparently so, but we'll
obesity epidemic? Well, apparently
so, but we'll come back to that.
Well, apparently so, but we'll come back
to that. Your diet should be one that
come back to that. Your diet should be
one that you can live on and live with
your diet should be one that you
can live on and live with forever.
You can live on and live with forever.
Okay.
Forever. Okay. It
shouldn't be something
okay. It shouldn't be something
that's so drastic that you can't
it shouldn't be something
that's so drastic
that you can't possibly
live with, because as
that's so drastic that
you can't possibly live
with, because as soon as
you're off of it, you
possibly live with,
because as soon as you're
off of it, you will --
and studies show this
soon as you're off of it,
you will -- and studies
show this over and
over again -- you will
will -- and studies
show this over and over
again -- you will just
revert to your old ways,
over and over again --
you will just revert to
your old ways, and the
weight will come back,
just revert to your old ways, and the
weight will come back, if not more.
And the weight will come
back, if not more. Okay.
Okay. Can you give me
the numbers, please?
Can you give me the numbers, please?
Yes.
Please? Yes. Well,
your cholesterol was a
yes. Well, your cholesterol was
a little bit high, but not bad.
Well, your cholesterol was a little bit
high, but not bad. It was 231, but...
Little bit high, but not bad. It was
231, but... What was the hdl and ldl?
It was 231, but... What was the hdl
and ldl? The hdl was incredible.
What was the hdl and ldl?
The hdl was incredible. It's 61.
The hdl was incredible. It's 61.
Now, is that good or bad?
It's 61. Now, is that good or bad?
That's very good.
Now, is that good or bad?
That's very good. It's good?
That's very good. It's good?
Yes.
It's good? Yes.
Excellent, incredibly so.
Yes. Excellent, incredibly so.
What's considered the, like,
excellent, incredibly so. What's
considered the, like, the good?
What's considered the,
like, the good? 39.
The good? 39. Over 39.
39. Over 39.
Your triglycerides were
over 39. Your
triglycerides were great.
Your triglycerides were great.
They were 70.
Great. They were 70.
That's all right.
They were 70. That's all right.
What's considered good for
that's all right. What's
considered good for triglycerides?
What's considered good for triglycerides?
Under 150.
Triglycerides? Under 150.
Under 150.
Under 150. Under 150.
So, basically hdl and
under 150. So, basically hdl
and triglycerides are good.
So, basically hdl and triglycerides are
good. The ldl is a little higher than
triglycerides are good. The ldl is a
little higher than we'd like to see it.
The ldl is a little higher than
we'd like to see it. Yes.
So, what are we having?
We're having quinoa with
we're having quinoa with
pineapple-teriyaki tofu and
pineapple-teriyaki tofu and
chicken-flavored soy drumlets
chicken-flavored soy drumlets
with sweet-and-sour sauce.
And this? Carrot juice.
Huh.
Yeah, pepperoni, mushroom,
onion, and green pepper. Cash.
Onion, and green pepper.
Cash. And how long?
Cash. And how long? How
long if I come pick it up?
So, it's day 1. It's about quarter to 9:00.
My daughter is in bed.
It's about quarter to 9:00. My daughter
is in bed. I'm heading out for dinner.
My daughter is in bed. I'm heading out
for dinner. I've had a little fewer than
I'm heading out for dinner. I've had
a little fewer than 1,200 calories.
I've had a little fewer
than 1,200 calories. Okay.
1,200 calories. Okay. There
it is -- the most hated
okay. There it is -- the most hated
symbol in the entire industry by
there it is -- the most hated symbol in the
entire industry by the fast-food haters.
Finally found a place
where there's a little
bit of light, because
I don't have a lot of
there's a little bit of
light, because I don't
have a lot of
night-shooting equipment.
Because I don't have a
lot of night-shooting
equipment. And I
know by now you were
night-shooting equipment. And I know by now
you were probably thinking, "okay, he's
and I know by now you
were probably thinking,
"okay, he's gonna lose
weight eating fast
probably thinking, "okay, he's gonna
lose weight eating fast food.
Gonna lose weight eating fast food.
He's gonna go get all those
food. He's gonna go get all
those grilled-chicken salads.
He's gonna go get all those grilled-chicken
salads. And that's how he's gonna do
grilled-chicken salads. And
that's how he's gonna do it."
And that's how he's gonna do
it." Well, this is a double
it." Well, this is a double
quarter pounder with cheese.
And I'm still gonna be under
2,000 calories for the day.
Mmm. Growing up in Iowa, I was
an active kid and skinny as a
growing up in Iowa, I was an active kid and
skinny as a rail, but when my family moved
active kid and skinny
as a rail, but when my
family moved to Illinois,
it took me a long
rail, but when my family
moved to Illinois, it
took me a long time to
make new friends, so I
to Illinois, it took me
a long time to make new
friends, so I sat around
and got fat, and I've
time to make new friends,
so I sat around and got
fat, and I've been
fighting that fat my whole
sat around and got fat, and I've been
fighting that fat my whole life.
Been fighting that fat my whole life.
In my 20s, I had some
life. In my 20s, I had some
vegetarian friends who told me
in my 20s, I had some vegetarian friends
who told me if I gave up meat, I'd lose
vegetarian friends who
told me if I gave up
meat, I'd lose weight,
and I did, but it was
if I gave up meat, I'd lose weight, and
I did, but it was all in my muscles.
Weight, and I did, but it was all in my
muscles. My belly actually got bigger,
all in my muscles. My belly actually got
bigger, and after a couple of years, I
my belly actually got
bigger, and after a
couple of years, I felt
weak and tired all the
and after a couple of years, I
felt weak and tired all the time.
I was a vegetarian for about
nine years with about three
nine years with about
three years of being very
years of being very strict
vegetarian, where I
strict vegetarian, where I
consumed no animal products.
And I was also a strength
coach at the time, and
that was a bad combination
because I lost my
at the time, and that was a bad
combination because I lost my strength.
Combination because I lost my strength.
Next I tried the pritikin
strength. Next I tried the pritikin
diet, where you limit your fat
next I tried the
pritikin diet, where you
limit your fat to no
more than 10% of your
diet, where you limit your fat to no
more than 10% of your total calories.
To no more than 10% of your total calories.
In fact, I tried it twice, and
total calories. In fact, I tried it
twice, and both times I got depressed.
In fact, I tried it
twice, and both times I
got depressed. That's
not a natural condition
both times I got depressed. That's
not a natural condition for me.
That's not a natural condition for me.
It's funny you should say you
for me. It's funny you should say
you got depressed on the pritikin
it's funny you should
say you got depressed
on the pritikin diet,
because I also tried a
got depressed on the
pritikin diet, because I
also tried a diet similar
to that, and it is
diet, because I also
tried a diet similar to
that, and it is the only
time I've ever been
diet similar to that, and it is the only
time I've ever been depressed in my life.
The only time I've ever been depressed in
my life. Pritikin, by the way, came
depressed in my life. Pritikin, by
the way, came down with leukemia and
pritikin, by the way, came down
with leukemia and committed suicide.
Down with leukemia and committed suicide.
Next I tried the fit for life
committed suicide. Next I tried the
fit for life diet, which is all about
next I tried the fit for life diet,
which is all about food-combining.
Diet, which is all about food-combining.
You eat proteins and
food-combining. You eat proteins
and carbohydrates at separate
you eat proteins and carbohydrates at
separate meals, and in the morning, you
carbohydrates at separate meals, and in the
morning, you consume nothing but juice and
meals, and in the morning, you consume
nothing but juice and fruit until noon.
Consume nothing but juice and fruit until
noon. I started using a juicer, and I
fruit until noon. I started using a juicer,
and I felt great for about two hours.
I started using a juicer,
and I felt great for
about two hours. When
the sugar buzz from the
felt great for about two hours.
When the sugar
buzz from the juice wore
off, I could barely
when the sugar buzz from the juice
wore off, I could barely stand up.
Juice wore off, I could barely stand up.
So, how can people lose weight?
Stand up. So, how can people lose weight?
The story we've all heard about
so, how can people lose weight?
The story we've
all heard about weight
control goes like this.
The story we've all heard
about weight control
goes like this. If you
eat more calories than
weight control goes like this.
If you eat more
calories than you burn,
the extra calories
if you eat more calories than you burn, the
extra calories turn to fat, but if you just
you burn, the extra
calories turn to fat, but
if you just consume
fewer calories or burn
turn to fat, but if you
just consume fewer
calories or burn more
calories by exercising,
consume fewer calories
or burn more calories
by exercising, you
create a calorie deficit
more calories by exercising, you create a
calorie deficit and you automatically lose
you create a calorie deficit and
you automatically lose weight.
And you automatically lose weight.
It's a nice, simple story, and
weight. It's a nice, simple story,
and it's a load of baloney.
It's a nice, simple story, and it's a load
of baloney. But it's more complicated
it's a load of baloney. But it's more
complicated than that, because it's also
but it's more complicated
than that, because
it's also important
what your body decides
than that, because it's
also important what your
body decides to do with
the calories that you
important what your body decides to
do with the calories that you eat.
To do with the calories that you eat.
In his ground-breaking book
eat. In his ground-breaking book
"good calories, bad calories,"
in his ground-breaking
book "good calories,
bad calories," science
writer Gary taubes
"good calories, bad
calories," science writer
Gary taubes explains
that people who try to
science writer Gary taubes
explains that people
who try to starve
themselves thin almost
explains that people who
try to starve themselves
thin almost never lose
as much weight as
starve themselves thin
almost never lose as
much weight as this
equation says they should.
Never lose as much weight
as this equation says
they should. And in
studies where naturally
this equation says they should.
And in studies
where naturally thin
people ate an extra
and in studies where naturally thin people
ate an extra 1,000 calories per day for
thin people ate an extra 1,000 calories
per day for several months, they barely
1,000 calories per day for several months,
they barely gained any weight at all.
Several months, they barely gained any
weight at all. After examining decades of
gained any weight at all. After examining
decades of research that obesity experts
after examining decades of research that
obesity experts seem to have completely
research that obesity experts seem to have
completely ignored, taubes concluded that
seem to have completely
ignored, taubes
concluded that your
body's tendency to store
ignored, taubes concluded
that your body's
tendency to store fat is
determined by hormones,
your body's tendency to
store fat is determined
by hormones, most
importantly Insulin.
All other things being equal,
if you consume the same number
if you consume the same number
of calories, the higher your
of calories, the higher
your Insulin is, the larger
Insulin is, the larger
proportion of those calories you
proportion of those calories you
will divert towards stored body
will divert towards
stored body fat.
Fat. If Insulin
is up and you're
if Insulin is up and you're
not eating very much, or you're
not eating very much, or you're
eating even the wrong kinds of
eating even the wrong kinds of
foods, the kind of foods that
foods, the kind of foods that
keep Insulin up, Insulin holds
keep Insulin up, Insulin holds
the fat in the fat cell and
the fat in the fat cell
and doesn't let it out.
Doesn't let it out.
What raises Insulin --
what raises Insulin --
independent of any other
independent of any other
metabolic hormones, what raises
metabolic hormones, what raises
Insulin is carbohydrates.
Insulin is carbohydrates.
Starch and sugar, pure and
starch and sugar,
pure and simple.
So, here's my plan. Using my functioning
brain, I did a few minutes of research
using my functioning
brain, I did a few minutes
of research and found
that a man of my size
did a few minutes of
research and found that a
man of my size and
activity level burns about
and found that a man of
my size and activity
level burns about 2,500
calories per day.
And activity level burns
about 2,500 calories
per day. To create
a calorie deficit,
2,500 calories per day. To create a
calorie deficit, I'm setting a target of
to create a calorie deficit, I'm setting
a target of 2,000 calories per day.
I'm setting a target of 2,000 calories
per day. I'll also burn a few extra
2,000 calories per day. I'll also burn a
few extra calories by walking six nights
I'll also burn a few extra
calories by walking
six nights per week
instead of my usual
calories by walking six nights per
week instead of my usual three.
Per week instead of my usual three.
But here's the really important
three. But here's the
really important part.
But here's the really important part.
To make sure my body can burn
part. To make sure my body can
burn its own fat for fuel, I'm
to make sure my body can burn its own fat
for fuel, I'm going to keep my Insulin down
its own fat for fuel,
I'm going to keep my
Insulin down by limiting
my carbohydrates to
going to keep my Insulin down by limiting
my carbohydrates to about 100 per day.
By limiting my carbohydrates to
about 100 per day. Breakfast.
Something here just doesn't add
up something here just doesn't go
add up something here
just doesn't go down
something here just doesn't go
down something here just doesn't
down something here
just doesn't add up
something here just doesn't add
up something here just doesn't go
add up something here
just doesn't go down
something here just doesn't
go down okay. I admit it.
Down okay. I admit it. As a
computer programmer, I kind
okay. I admit it. As a computer
programmer, I kind of like math.
As a computer programmer, I kind of like
math. So let's do some, and I promise
of like math. So let's do some,
and I promise it won't be hard.
So let's do some, and I promise it won't
be hard. Even the reviewers who love
it won't be hard. Even the reviewers
who love "super size me" could do this
even the reviewers who love "super size
me" could do this math if they wanted to.
"Super size me" could do this math if
they wanted to. Morgan spurlock ate at
math if they wanted to. Morgan spurlock
ate at McDonald's for 30 days using
Morgan spurlock ate at McDonald's
for 30 days using these rules.
McDonald's for 30 days using these rules.
"I will eat three square meals
these rules. "I will eat
three square meals per day.
"I will eat three square meals per day.
"I will eat everything on the
per day. "I will eat everything
on the menu at least once.
"I will eat everything on the menu at
least once. I will only super-size a meal
menu at least once. I will only
super-size a meal if they ask me."
I will only super-size a meal if they
ask me." There's no such thing as a
if they ask me." There's no such thing
as a super-sized breakfast, so that
there's no such thing as
a super-sized breakfast,
so that leaves 60
lunches and dinners,
super-sized breakfast, so
that leaves 60 lunches
and dinners, but spurlock
was only asked to
leaves 60 lunches and
dinners, but spurlock was
only asked to super-size
nine times, which
but spurlock was only
asked to super-size nine
times, which means,
according to his rules,
super-size nine times,
which means, according
to his rules, 51 lunches
and dinners were not
means, according to his rules, 51 lunches
and dinners were not super-sized.
51 lunches and dinners were not
super-sized. So let's put together three
super-sized. So let's put together
three meals a day using large
so let's put together three meals a day
using large combinations and see what we
meals a day using large
combinations and see what we get.
Combinations and see what we get.
For breakfast, we'll go with a
get. For breakfast, we'll go
with a bacon-egg-cheese biscuit,
for breakfast, we'll go
with a bacon-egg-cheese
biscuit, hash browns,
and a large orange
bacon-egg-cheese biscuit,
hash browns, and a
large orange juice,
for lunch, a big Mac,
hash browns, and a large
orange juice, for
lunch, a big Mac, large
fries, and large coke,
juice, for lunch, a big Mac, large fries,
and large coke, and for dinner, a quarter
large fries, and large
coke, and for dinner,
a quarter pounder
with cheese, large
and for dinner, a quarter pounder with
cheese, large fries, and large coke.
Pounder with cheese, large fries,
and large coke. Wait a second.
Fries, and large coke. Wait a second.
That's not even 3,600 calories.
Wait a second. That's not even 3,600
calories. In "super size me," spurlock's
that's not even 3,600 calories.
In "super size
me," spurlock's nutritionist
told him not once,
in "super size me,"
spurlock's nutritionist told
him not once, but twice,
that he was consuming
nutritionist told him not
once, but twice, that
he was consuming more
than 5,000 calories every
but twice, that he was consuming
more than 5,000 calories every day.
More than 5,000 calories every day.
Okay.
Day. Okay. Let's try again.
Okay. Let's try again. This
time we'll have an egg
let's try again. This time we'll have
an egg mcmuffin, large orange juice,
this time we'll have
an egg mcmuffin, large
orange juice, and hash
browns, a big n' tasty,
mcmuffin, large orange
juice, and hash browns,
a big n' tasty, large
coke, and large fries,
and hash browns, a big
n' tasty, large coke,
and large fries, and for
dinner, we'll go with
large coke, and large
fries, and for dinner,
we'll go with the
filet-o-fish, large fries,
and for dinner, we'll go
with the filet-o-fish,
large fries, large coke,
and what the heck,
the filet-o-fish, large
fries, large coke, and
what the heck, a hot-fudge
sundae for dessert.
Large coke, and what the heck, a hot-fudge
sundae for dessert. Isn't that strange?
A hot-fudge sundae for dessert. Isn't that
strange? Even with a dessert, I'm at just
isn't that strange? Even with a dessert,
I'm at just over 3,600 calories.
Even with a dessert, I'm at just over
3,600 calories. Something doesn't add up.
Over 3,600 calories. Something doesn't
add up. Well, let's try a super-size
something doesn't add up. Well,
let's try a super-size day.
Well, let's try a super-size day.
We'll have a sausage-egg-cheese
day. We'll have a sausage-egg-cheese
mcgriddle, large o.J., and
we'll have a sausage-egg-cheese mcgriddle,
large o.J., and hash browns, followed by a
mcgriddle, large o.J., and hash browns,
followed by a big Mac, super-sized fries,
hash browns, followed
by a big Mac,
super-sized fries,
super-sized coke, and for
big Mac, super-sized
fries, super-sized coke,
and for dinner, a
double quarter pounder
super-sized coke, and
for dinner, a double
quarter pounder with
cheese, super-sized fries,
dinner, a double quarter
pounder with cheese,
super-sized fries,
super-sized coke.
With cheese, super-sized fries, super-sized
coke. That's a lot of calories, but
super-sized coke. That's a lot of calories,
but I'm still 800 calories short of
that's a lot of calories,
but I'm still 800
calories short of what
spurlock consumed every
I'm still 800 calories short of
what spurlock consumed every day.
What spurlock consumed every day.
And I just super-sized two
day. And I just
super-sized two meals.
And I just super-sized two meals.
To get my calorie count even
meals. To get my calorie count
even close to spurlockian
to get my calorie count even close to
spurlockian proportions, I have to
close to spurlockian proportions, I
have to super-size my lunch, super-size
proportions, I have to super-size my lunch,
super-size my dinner, then throw in two
super-size my lunch, super-size my
dinner, then throw in two desserts.
My dinner, then throw in two desserts.
So, how did a guy who claimed
desserts. So, how did a guy who claimed
to eat three meals per day and
so, how did a guy who
claimed to eat three meals
per day and only
super-size nine meals in
to eat three meals per
day and only super-size
nine meals in an
entire month manage to
only super-size nine
meals in an entire month
manage to consume more
than 5,000 calories
an entire month manage to consume more
than 5,000 calories each and every day?
Hi. I'm working on a documentary
that's sort of a follow-up to
I'm working on a documentary that's
sort of a follow-up to "super size me."
That's sort of a follow-up to "super
size me." I was wondering if there was
"super size me." I was wondering if
there was some way I could get ahold of
I was wondering if there was some way
I could get ahold of Morgan spurlock.
Some way I could get ahold of Morgan
spurlock. I need to see his food log.
Morgan spurlock. I need
to see his food log. Hi.
I need to see his food log. Hi.
I'm doing sort of a documentary
hi. I'm doing sort of a documentary
follow-up to "super size me."
I'm doing sort of a
documentary follow-up to
"super size me." I was
wondering if there's a
follow-up to "super size
me." I was wondering
if there's a contact
number for the con,
I was wondering if there's a contact number
for the con, Morgan spurlock's production
contact number for the con, Morgan
spurlock's production company.
Morgan spurlock's production company.
I was hoping to see his food
company. I was hoping
to see his food log.
I was hoping to see his food log.
Okay.
Log. Okay. What's
your e-mail address?
Okay. What's your e-mail address?
I would like to get ahold of the
what's your e-mail address?
I would like to get
ahold of the food diary
that spurlock kept
I would like to get ahold of the food diary
that spurlock kept during that month.
Several journalists have asked spurlock
to let them see his super-sized food log.
Asked spurlock to let
them see his super-sized
food log. The answer
in every case was no.
His super-sized food log.
The answer in every
case was no. One of
spurlock's agents asked
the answer in every case was no.
One of spurlock's
agents asked me to put
my request in writing,
one of spurlock's agents asked me to
put my request in writing, so I did.
Me to put my request in writing, so I did.
And I never got a response.
So I did. And I never got a response.
At the end of "super size me,"
and I never got a response.
At the end of "super
size me," spurlock
called upon McDonald's
at the end of "super size
me," spurlock called
upon McDonald's to get
rid of those super-sized
spurlock called upon McDonald's to
get rid of those super-sized meals.
To get rid of those super-sized meals.
This annoys me.
Meals. This annoys me. You
know, if McDonald's wants to
this annoys me. You know, if McDonald's
wants to sell me a bucket of French fries
you know, if McDonald's
wants to sell me a bucket
of French fries for 50
cents and I want to buy
sell me a bucket of
French fries for 50 cents
and I want to buy them,
that's between me and
for 50 cents and I want to buy them,
that's between me and McDonald's.
Them, that's between me and McDonald's.
It's really none of his
McDonald's. It's really
none of his business.
It's really none of his business.
And by the way, McDonald's did
business. And by the way, McDonald's
did stop super-sizing a couple years
and by the way, McDonald's
did stop super-sizing
a couple years ago, and
I don't remember seeing
stop super-sizing a couple years ago, and
I don't remember seeing this headline.
Ago, and I don't remember seeing this
headline. And spurlock somehow managed to
this headline. And spurlock somehow
managed to gain 25 pounds in 30 days in
and spurlock somehow
managed to gain 25 pounds
in 30 days in spite of
the fact that he only
gain 25 pounds in 30 days
in spite of the fact
that he only super-sized
an average of twice
spite of the fact that
he only super-sized an
average of twice a week,
which means super-sizing
super-sized an average
of twice a week, which
means super-sizing was not
the problem, not if he
a week, which means
super-sizing was not the
problem, not if he followed
his own rules, which
was not the problem, not
if he followed his own
rules, which common sense
and a little basic
followed his own rules, which common sense
and a little basic math says he didn't.
Common sense and a little basic math says
he didn't. Something here just doesn't
math says he didn't. Something
here just doesn't add up
something here just doesn't add
up something here just doesn't go
add up something here
just doesn't go down
something here just doesn't go
down something here just doesn't
down something here
just doesn't add up
something here just doesn't add
up so, how did spurlock manage
add up so, how did spurlock
manage to keep such a detailed food
so, how did spurlock manage to keep
such a detailed food log, anyway?
To keep such a detailed food log, anyway?
In "super size me," he delivered
log, anyway? In "super size me," he
delivered the shocking news that he
in "super size me," he
delivered the shocking
news that he couldn't
find any nutrition
the shocking news that he couldn't find any
nutrition information at one quarter of
couldn't find any
nutrition information at
one quarter of the
McDonald's restaurants in
information at one quarter of the
McDonald's restaurants in Manhattan.
The McDonald's restaurants in Manhattan.
Of course, he also showed us
Manhattan. Of course, he also showed
us that Manhattan is practically
of course, he also showed
us that Manhattan is
practically littered
with McDonald's, which
that Manhattan is
practically littered with
McDonald's, which means
you could just walk a
littered with McDonald's,
which means you
could just walk a couple
of blocks to another
means you could just
walk a couple of blocks
to another McDonald's
and look at their
couple of blocks to another McDonald's
and look at their nutrition menu.
McDonald's and look at their nutrition
menu. You'd even get a little
nutrition menu. You'd even get
a little exercise that way.
You'd even get a little exercise that way.
Nutrition information is also
exercise that way. Nutrition information
is also available on the McDonald's
nutrition information is also
available on the McDonald's website.
Available on the McDonald's website.
You can even download it and
website. You can even download
it and print it from your home
you can even download it and print
it from your home computer.
Print it from your home computer.
But wait.
Computer. But wait. Using
a large, ugly building to
but wait. Using a large, ugly building
to represent poor people, spurlock
using a large, ugly
building to represent poor
people, spurlock told us
that only half of all
represent poor people,
spurlock told us that
only half of all Americans
have Internet access
told us that only half
of all Americans have
Internet access at home
and wondered, "what are
Americans have Internet
access at home and
wondered, "what are these
people supposed to do?"
At home and wondered,
"what are these people
supposed to do?" Well, I
suppose they could go
these people supposed
to do?" Well, I suppose
they could go to a library
or a school or an
well, I suppose they
could go to a library or
a school or an Internet
caf or one of the
to a library or a school
or an Internet caf
or one of the thousands
of other places with
Internet caf or one of the thousands
of other places with Internet access.
Thousands of other places with Internet
access. Or here's another idea.
Internet access. Or here's another idea.
You know, back before computers
or here's another idea.
You know, back before
computers and the
Internet, a lot of us
you know, back before
computers and the Internet,
a lot of us were pretty
adept at using these
and the Internet, a lot of us were pretty
adept at using these low-tech, compact data
were pretty adept at
using these low-tech,
compact data repositories,
otherwise known as
low-tech, compact data repositories,
otherwise known as books.
Repositories, otherwise known as books.
I went to the smallest
books. I went to the smallest
bookstore in my area and found
I went to the smallest bookstore in my
area and found seven books that list full
bookstore in my area
and found seven books
that list full nutrition
information for all
seven books that list full nutrition
information for all the fast-food chains.
Nutrition information for all the fast-food
chains. There it is -- everything from
the fast-food chains.
There it is -- everything
from arby's to pizza
hut to Wendy's.
There it is -- everything
from arby's to pizza
hut to Wendy's. So it
turns out nutrition
arby's to pizza hut to Wendy's.
So it turns
out nutrition information
is actually pretty
so it turns out nutrition information
is actually pretty easy to find.
Information is actually pretty easy to
find. And if you really want to lose
easy to find. And if you really want
to lose weight, you will find it.
And if you really want to lose weight, you
will find it. But even without all that
weight, you will find it. But even without
all that information, are people really
but even without all that information, are
people really getting fat on fast food
information, are people really getting
fat on fast food without knowing why?
Getting fat on fast food without knowing
why? I have here a double quarter
without knowing why? I have here a double
quarter pounder with cheese, a large
I have here a double quarter pounder with
cheese, a large order of fries, and a large
pounder with cheese, a large order
of fries, and a large coke.
Order of fries, and a large coke.
Right.
Coke. Right. Now,
is that a high-calorie
right. Now, is that a high-calorie
meal or a low-calorie meal?
Now, is that a high-calorie meal or a
low-calorie meal? Definitely I'd say a
meal or a low-calorie meal?
Definitely I'd say a high-calorie meal.
Definitely I'd say a high-calorie meal.
I would say that's a hell of
high-calorie meal. I would say
that's a hell of a lot of calories.
I would say that's a hell of a lot
of calories. A hell of a lot.
A lot of calories. A hell of a lot.
Very high.
A hell of a lot. Very high.
Very high?
Very high. Very high?
Very high.
Very high? Very high.
I believe, honest, it's
very high. I believe,
honest, it's high-calorie.
I believe, honest, it's high-calorie.
High-calorie.
High-calorie. High-calorie.
I know it's a high-calorie
high-calorie. I know
it's a high-calorie meal.
I know it's a high-calorie meal.
Give me a rough guess.
Meal. Give me a rough guess.
How many calories here?
Give me a rough guess. How many calories
here? I would say maybe -- both
how many calories here? I
would say maybe -- both carrots?
I would say maybe -- both carrots?
Just in the carrots, yeah.
Carrots? Just in the carrots, yeah.
Combined.
Just in the carrots, yeah. Combined.
Large order of carrots.
Combined. Large order of carrots.
I would say maybe 25
large order of carrots. I
would say maybe 25 calories.
I would say maybe 25 calories.
Okay.
Calories. Okay. How
many calories in there?
Okay. How many calories in there?
I'd say maybe 500.
How many calories in there? I'd say
maybe 500. Definitely high-calorie.
I'd say maybe 500. Definitely
high-calorie. Definitely high-calorie?
Definitely high-calorie.
Definitely high-calorie? Yeah.
Definitely high-calorie? Yeah.
Oh, that's high calories --
yeah. Oh, that's high calories
-- as many calories as you can get
oh, that's high calories -- as many
calories as you can get into a meal.
As many calories as you can
get into a meal. A lot.
Into a meal. A lot.
It's a lot of calories?
A lot. It's a lot of calories?
A lot.
It's a lot of calories? A lot.
And how did you know that?
A lot. And how did you know that?
I just know.
And how did you know that? I just
know. Actually, just common sense
I just know. Actually,
just common sense pretty much.
Actually, just common sense pretty much.
Common sense?
Pretty much. Common sense?
I'd have to say so, yeah.
Common sense? I'd have to say so,
yeah. Uh, it's a cheeseburger and
I'd have to say so, yeah. Uh,
it's a cheeseburger and fries.
Uh, it's a cheeseburger and fries.
Um, common sense.
Fries. Um, common sense.
Common sense?
Um, common sense. Common sense?
Common sense.
Common sense? Common sense.
Like the stuff up here?
Common sense. Like the
stuff up here? Yeah.
Like the stuff up here? Yeah.
Now, how did you know that?
Yeah. Now, how did you know that?
Did Ronald McDonald tell you?
Now, how did you know that?
Did Ronald McDonald
tell you? No, no
clown has ever told me
did Ronald McDonald tell you?
No, no clown
has ever told me that
it's a high-calorie meal.
No, no clown has ever
told me that it's a
high-calorie meal. With
the fries and the burger
that it's a high-calorie meal.
With the fries
and the burger and the
drink, it just seems
with the fries and
the burger and the
drink, it just seems like
a high-calorie meal.
And the drink, it just
seems like a high-calorie
meal. If you ate
like this all the
like a high-calorie meal.
If you ate like
this all the time and
then sat around all
if you ate like this
all the time and then
sat around all day,
what do you think would
time and then sat around all day,
what do you think would happen?
Day, what do you think would happen?
I would be very fat.
Happen? I would be very fat.
Um...
I would be very fat. Um...
If you ate like this four or
um... If you ate like this four
or five times a day and then sat
if you ate like this
four or five times a
day and then sat around
all day, what would
five times a day and then sat around
all day, what would happen to you?
Around all day, what would happen to you?
You'd get fat!
Happen to you? You'd get fat!
You would look like Oprah
you'd get fat! You would
look like Oprah back in the '80s.
You would look like Oprah back in the
'80s. I didn't even see your mouth
back in the '80s. I didn't
even see your mouth move.
I didn't even see your mouth move.
In fact, this ability to
move. In fact, this ability to
recognize high-calorie food
in fact, this ability to
recognize high-calorie
food seems to be
nearly universal.
Recognize high-calorie
food seems to be
nearly universal. And
where are you from?
Seems to be nearly universal. And where
are you from? Los Angeles, California.
And where are you from? Los Angeles,
California. I'm originally from
Los Angeles, California. I'm
originally from south Carolina, actually.
I'm originally from south Carolina,
actually. We're from Holland.
South Carolina, actually. We're
from Holland. Massachusetts.
We're from Holland. Massachusetts.
Where are you from?
Massachusetts. Where are you from?
Japan.
Where are you from? Japan.
My name is Natasha.
Japan. My name is Natasha.
Natasha?
My name is Natasha. Natasha?
Natasha. Yes.
Natasha? Natasha. Yes.
Where are you from?
Natasha. Yes. Where are you from?
Russia.
Where are you from? Russia.
Can you say "moose and
Russia. Can you say
"moose and squirrel"?
Can you say "moose and squirrel"?
What?
Squirrel"? What?
Where are you from?
What? Where are you from?
Bulgaria.
Where are you from? Bulgaria.
Bulgaria?
Bulgaria. Bulgaria?
Moose and squirrel.
Bulgaria? Moose and squirrel.
Okay.
Moose and squirrel.
Okay. Okay, sure.
Okay. Okay, sure. You and
I know high-calorie food
okay, sure. You and I know high-calorie
food when we see it, but when I've
you and I know high-calorie
food when we see
it, but when I've
discussed the merits of
when we see it, but when I've discussed the
merits of "super size me" with my friends
discussed the merits of
"super size me" with
my friends and associates,
I've noticed a
"super size me" with my friends and
associates, I've noticed a curious pattern.
And associates, I've noticed a curious
pattern. Almost everyone who really likes
curious pattern. Almost everyone who really
likes that movie shares a common and
almost everyone who really likes that movie
shares a common and dearly held belief.
That movie shares a common and
dearly held belief.
One of the things that
struck me most about
"super size me" was that
there are these images
me most about "super size
me" was that there are
these images of these
African-American teens,
was that there are
these images of these
African-American teens, and
they were talking about how
of these African-American
teens, and they were
talking about how much
they liked McDonald's.
And there's this implication of, like,
"oh, look how stupid these kids are.
Like, "oh, look how stupid these kids are.
They don't even know what's good
kids are. They don't even know what's
good for them," and that, you know,
they don't even know
what's good for them," and
that, you know, we have
to really put the onus
for them," and that, you
know, we have to really
put the onus on McDonald's
to take care of
we have to really put
the onus on McDonald's
to take care of them
because these kids can't
on McDonald's to take care
of them because these
kids can't make decisions
for themselves.
Them because these kids
can't make decisions
for themselves. Well,
you know, who is
make decisions for themselves.
Well, you
know, who is Morgan
spurlock or any of us to
well, you know, who is
Morgan spurlock or any
of us to sort of
determine what somebody
Morgan spurlock or any of
us to sort of determine
what somebody else can
and cannot eat, or to
sort of determine what
somebody else can and
cannot eat, or to know
what other people know is
else can and cannot eat,
or to know what other
people know is good
or not good for them?
Know what other people know is good or not
good for them? Engendered in that is also a
good or not good for them? Engendered in
that is also a certain kind of paternalism.
Engendered in that is also a certain kind
of paternalism. And once again, it's a
certain kind of paternalism.
And once again,
it's a paternalism
that's directed at
and once again, it's a paternalism that's
directed at the poor, at minorities,
paternalism that's directed at the poor, at
minorities, somehow or another that those
the poor, at minorities, somehow or another
that those people can't make decisions for
somehow or another that
those people can't make
decisions for themselves
and that there's some
people can't make decisions
for themselves and
that there's some other
force that needs to come
themselves and that there's
some other force that
needs to come in and
make decisions for them,
other force that needs to
come in and make decisions
for them, when in fact,
they're very happy
in and make decisions
for them, when in fact,
they're very happy to
make decisions for
when in fact, they're very happy
to make decisions for themselves.
To make decisions for themselves.
In fact, what the last thing
themselves. In fact, what the last
thing they want is for somebody else
in fact, what the last
thing they want is for
somebody else to come
in and make decisions
they want is for somebody else to
come in and make decisions for them.
To come in and make decisions for them.
No, I'm a leader, not a
for them. No, I'm a
leader, not a follower.
No, I'm a leader, not a follower.
Follower. Hi.
Hi. Hi.
Can I help you, sir?
Hi. Hi. Can I help you, sir?
Yeah, I'd like a five-piece
hi. Can I help you, sir?
Yeah, I'd like
a five-piece chicken
select and a medium diet
yeah, I'd like a five-piece chicken
select and a medium diet coke.
Chicken select and a medium diet coke.
Okay, sir.
Coke. Okay, sir. Would
you like some fries with
okay, sir. Would you like
some fries with that?
Would you like some fries with that?
No, thank you.
That? No, thank you. Okay.
No, thank you. Okay.
That'll be for here or to go,
okay. That'll be for
here or to go, sir?
That'll be for here or to go, sir?
That's for here.
Sir? That's for here.
Okay.
That's for here. Okay.
Did you see how easy that
okay. Did you see
how easy that was?
Did you see how easy that was?
"Do you want some fries with
was? "Do you want some
fries with that?"
"Do you want some fries with
that?" "No, thank you."
That?" "No, thank you." When
I was a stand-up comedian,
"no, thank you." When I was a stand-up
comedian, I heard the hack joke over and
when I was a stand-up
comedian, I heard the hack
joke over and over,
"what part of a chicken
I heard the hack joke
over and over, "what
part of a chicken does
a mcnugget come from?"
Over, "what part of a
chicken does a mcnugget
come from?" Yes, we
all know there are no
does a mcnugget come from?" Yes, we all
know there are no McNuggets on a chicken.
Yes, we all know there are no McNuggets on
a chicken. There are also no sausages on a
McNuggets on a chicken. There
are also no sausages on a pig.
There are also no sausages on a pig.
Everybody's got a lawyer
pig. Everybody's got a lawyer
and the lawyers need to make
everybody's got a lawyer and the
lawyers need to make their fees
and the lawyers need to make their
fees they say they use their legal
their fees they say they
use their legal mind
they say they use their legal mind
to most of us, the idea that
mind to most of us, the idea
that people are too stupid to know
to most of us, the
idea that people are too
stupid to know that sodas
and French fries are
people are too stupid
to know that sodas and
French fries are fattening
sounds like a load of
that sodas and French fries are fattening
sounds like a load of baloney.
Fattening sounds like a load of baloney.
But if you sue people for a
baloney. But if you sue people for
a living, that sounds more like an
but if you sue people for a living, that
sounds more like an opening argument.
In "super size me," super sue-meister John
banzhaf, who desperately wants to squeeze
sue-meister John banzhaf,
who desperately wants
to squeeze gold out
of the golden arches,
desperately wants to
squeeze gold out of the
golden arches, explained
why it's McDonald's
gold out of the golden
arches, explained why
it's McDonald's fault
when people get fat.
Explained why it's McDonald's fault when
people get fat. It's a sudden change.
Fault when people get fat. It's a sudden
change. Most of this obesity epidemic
it's a sudden change. Most of this obesity
epidemic has occurred since last January.
Most of this obesity epidemic has occurred
since last January. Now, what's causing it?
Has occurred since last January. Now,
what's causing it? Well, it can't be the
now, what's causing it? Well, it can't
be the mom-and-pop restaurants.
Well, it can't be
the mom-and-pop
restaurants. They've
been around for hundreds
mom-and-pop restaurants. They've
been around for hundreds of years.
They've been around for hundreds of years.
It can't be the food we're
of years. It can't be the
food we're eating at home.
It can't be the food we're eating at home.
We've been eating at home for
eating at home. We've been eating
at home for hundreds of years.
We've been eating at home for hundreds
of years. I think it's fair to point the
hundreds of years. I think it's fair
to point the big gun at McDonald's.
I think it's fair to point the big gun at
McDonald's. They're the ones who lure kids
big gun at McDonald's. They're
the ones who lure kids in.
They're the ones who lure kids in.
They're the ones with the
in. They're the ones
with the playlands.
They're the ones with the playlands.
You know, in a lot of areas,
playlands. You know, in a lot of
areas, there are no playgrounds.
You know, in a lot of areas, there are no
playgrounds. You have to go to McDonald's.
There are no playgrounds. You have to go to
McDonald's. Don't you just love lawyer
you have to go to McDonald's.
Don't you just love lawyer logic?
Don't you just love lawyer logic?
Well, let's take them one by
logic? Well, let's
take them one by one.
Well, let's take them one by one.
"We can't blame the sit-down
one. "We can't blame the
sit-down restaurants.
"We can't blame the sit-down restaurants.
They've been around for
restaurants. They've been
around for hundreds of years."
When my parents went out to a restaurant,
it wasn't for low-calorie food.
Restaurant, it wasn't for low-calorie food.
They went out for a creamy
low-calorie food. They went out for a
creamy salad, steak, lobster, a baked
they went out for a
creamy salad, steak,
lobster, a baked potato
with butter and sour
salad, steak, lobster,
a baked potato with
butter and sour cream,
all washed down with a
potato with butter and
sour cream, all washed
down with a bottle of
wine, and probably a
cream, all washed down with a bottle of
wine, and probably a dessert to follow.
Bottle of wine, and probably a dessert
to follow. The difference is, they only
dessert to follow. The difference is,
they only went out for a big dinner 10 or
the difference is, they only went out
for a big dinner 10 or 15 times a year.
Went out for a big dinner 10 or 15 times
a year. And if I went with them, it was
15 times a year. And if I went with
them, it was probably my birthday.
And if I went with them, it was probably
my birthday. Today, Americans eat out more
probably my birthday. Today, Americans eat
out more than anybody in the world, and
today, Americans eat out
more than anybody in
the world, and the whole
family goes along.
Than anybody in the
world, and the whole
family goes along. The
restaurant business is
the whole family goes along. The
restaurant business is booming.
The restaurant business is booming.
The only industry that employs
booming. The only industry that employs
more people is government, and
the only industry that
employs more people is
government, and we give
restaurants our money
more people is government, and we give
restaurants our money on purpose.
We give restaurants our money on purpose.
In fact, a study conducted by
on purpose. In fact, a study conducted
by the university of hawai'I
in fact, a study conducted
by the university
of hawai'I concluded
that when kids go to
the university of hawai'I concluded that
when kids go to a traditional sit-down
concluded that when kids
go to a traditional
sit-down restaurant, they end up
a traditional sit-down restaurant, they
end up consuming more calories than
restaurant, they end up consuming more
calories than when they go to McDonald's or
consuming more calories than when they go
to McDonald's or any other fast-food joint.
When they go to
McDonald's or any other
fast-food joint. "We can't
blame meals at home.
Any other fast-food joint.
"We can't blame
meals at home. We've been
eating meals at home
"we can't blame meals at home. We've
been eating meals at home forever."
We've been eating meals at home
forever." Rip Van winkle, call your
forever." Rip Van winkle,
call your office.
Rip Van winkle, call your office.
Somebody's been sleeping under
office. Somebody's been
sleeping under your tree.
With over 40% of American
women now working full- or
women now working full- or
part-time, plus having kids,
part-time, plus having kids,
simply, women's role as food
simply, women's role as food
providers and food preparers has
providers and food
preparers has changed.
Most women simply do not
have a lot of time and
energy to prepare the
types of meals that,
lot of time and energy to prepare the types
of meals that, say, June cleaver did in the
prepare the types of meals that,
say, June cleaver did in the 1950s.
Say, June cleaver did in the 1950s.
Food manufacturers recognizing
1950s. Food manufacturers recognizing
this fact started putting
food manufacturers recognizing
this fact started
putting together more
pre-packaged types
this fact started
putting together more
pre-packaged types of food,
and the largest growth
together more pre-packaged
types of food, and the
largest growth in the
food industry has come in
of food, and the largest
growth in the food
industry has come in these
pre-prepared dinners and
in the food industry
has come in these
pre-prepared dinners and
pre-prepared meals.
These pre-prepared dinners and pre-prepared
meals. In 1978, only 8% of all homes
pre-prepared meals. In 1978, only
8% of all homes had a microwave oven.
In 1978, only 8%
of all homes had a
microwave oven. Today,
nearly everybody does.
Had a microwave oven.
Today, nearly everybody
does. When dinnertime
rolls around,
today, nearly everybody does.
When dinnertime
rolls around, we buy
it and nuke it, or we
when dinnertime rolls around, we buy it and
nuke it, or we pick it up and take it home.
We buy it and nuke it, or we pick it up
and take it home. The restaurant and food
pick it up and take it home. The restaurant
and food industries didn't cause this
the restaurant and food industries didn't
cause this trend, they're just responding
industries didn't cause this trend,
they're just responding to it.
Trend, they're just responding to it.
Oh, and by the way, they're
to it. Oh, and by the way, they're
giving us more of what we
oh, and by the way, they're giving us
more of what we want -- free time.
Giving us more of what we want -- free
time. And now for my favorite bit of
want -- free time. And now for
my favorite bit of lawyer logic.
And now for my favorite bit of lawyer
logic. They're the ones who lure kids
lawyer logic. They're the
ones who lure kids in.
They're the ones who lure kids in.
They're the ones with the
in. They're the ones
with the playlands.
They're the ones with the playlands.
You know, in a lot of areas,
playlands. You know, in a lot of
areas, there are no playgrounds.
You know, in a lot of areas, there are no
playgrounds. You have to go to McDonald's.
There are no playgrounds. You have to go
to McDonald's. Is that supposed to make me
you have to go to McDonald's. Is that
supposed to make me mad at McDonald's?
Is that supposed to make me mad at
McDonald's? Listen to what he just said.
Mad at McDonald's? Listen to what he
just said. In some areas, the federal
listen to what he just said. In some areas,
the federal government didn't provide a
in some areas, the federal
government didn't
provide a playground,
state government
government didn't provide
a playground, state
government didn't
provide a playground,
playground, state
government didn't provide a
playground, local
government didn't provide
didn't provide a playground, local
government didn't provide a playground...
Local government didn't provide a
playground... Ronald McDonald did.
A playground... Ronald McDonald did.
Where I live, it can be
Ronald McDonald did. Where I live,
it can be 105 degrees in August.
Where I live, it can be 105 degrees in
August. Parents flock to the McDonald's
105 degrees in August. Parents flock to
the McDonald's playland because it's
parents flock to the McDonald's playland
because it's air-conditioned and it's safe.
Playland because it's air-conditioned and
it's safe. I talked to the other parents,
air-conditioned and it's safe. I talked to
the other parents, and we all have the same
I talked to the other parents, and
we all have the same problem.
And we all have the same problem.
No, I don't want it.
Problem. No, I don't want it.
No!
No, I don't want it. No!
The kids are so anxious to
no! The kids are so anxious
to play, they don't want to eat.
The kids are so anxious
to play, they don't
want to eat. Of course,
the real reason we
play, they don't want to eat. Of course,
the real reason we can blame the fast-food
of course, the real reason we can blame
the fast-food restaurants is that they're
can blame the fast-food restaurants is that
they're giving us too much food for too
restaurants is that they're giving us
too much food for too little money.
Giving us too much food for too little
money. I'm forced to eat this
little money. I'm
forced to eat this food...
I'm forced to eat this food...
Yeah?
Food... Yeah? ...All
week long because I
yeah? ...All week long because
I have been brainwashed since I
...all week long because I have
been brainwashed since I was like 5.
Have been brainwashed since I was like 5.
I mean, it takes years to
was like 5. I mean, it takes
years to look like this.
I mean, it takes years to
look like this. It does.
Look like this. It does.
And I've worked on it.
It does. And I've worked on it.
I just got done eating three hot
and I've worked on it. I just
got done eating three hot dogs.
I just got done eating three hot dogs.
The reason why Americans have
dogs. The reason why Americans
have gained an average of 8 to 10
the reason why Americans
have gained an average
of 8 to 10 pounds over
the past 20 years is
gained an average of 8
to 10 pounds over the
past 20 years is not
because McDonald's is
pounds over the past 20
years is not because
McDonald's is super-sizing
their value meals.
Not because McDonald's
is super-sizing their
value meals. It's how
much they're eating in
super-sizing their value meals. It's how
much they're eating in between meals.
It's how much they're eating in between
meals. It's how much they're eating in
between meals. It's how much
they're eating in their cars.
It's how much they're eating in their cars.
It's how much they're eating
their cars. It's how much they're
eating while they're watching TV.
It's how much they're eating while they're
watching TV. It's the mocha frappuccinos.
While they're watching TV.
It's the mocha
frappuccinos. It's the
Ben & Jerry's ice cream
it's the mocha frappuccinos. It's the Ben
& Jerry's ice cream at 10:00 at night.
It's the Ben & Jerry's ice cream at 10:00
at night. These are responsible for about
at 10:00 at night. These are responsible
for about 25% of the average American's
these are responsible for about 25% of
the average American's caloric intake.
25% of the average American's caloric
intake. The expansion of the beverage
caloric intake. The expansion of the
beverage market in this country and the
the expansion of the
beverage market in this
country and the number of
high-calorie beverages
market in this country and
the number of high-calorie
beverages that most
Americans consume are
number of high-calorie
beverages that most Americans
consume are probably
more responsible for
that most Americans
consume are probably more
responsible for America's
weight gain over the
probably more responsible
for America's
weight gain over the
past 20 or 30 years than
America's weight gain
over the past 20 or 30
years than anything
having to do with our
past 20 or 30 years than anything having
to do with our actual meal sizes.
Anything having to do with our actual
meal sizes. If there's one thing
actual meal sizes. If there's one
thing Morgan spurlock and I would
if there's one thing Morgan spurlock and
I would agree on, it's this -- drinking
Morgan spurlock and I would agree on,
it's this -- drinking a 44-ounce glass of
agree on, it's this -- drinking a 44-ounce
glass of high-fructose corn syrup two or
a 44-ounce glass of high-fructose corn
syrup two or three times a day is nuts.
High-fructose corn syrup
two or three times a
day is nuts. So, how
much sugary soda am I
three times a day is nuts.
So, how much sugary
soda am I consuming
on my fast-food diet?
So, how much sugary soda am I
consuming on my fast-food diet? None.
Consuming on my fast-food diet? None.
In fact, I almost never drink
none. In fact, I almost never drink
the stuff because I feel lousy
in fact, I almost never drink the
stuff because I feel lousy when I do.
And furthermore, if you
look at those, you know, the
at those, you know, the
religious dry activists -- they
religious dry activists -- they
made all the same arguments
made all the same arguments
about it was bad for your
about it was bad for your
family, and it was bad for your
family, and it was
bad for your health.
And, you know, they made
all the kinds of practical
arguments the public-health
people make.
Kinds of practical arguments
the public-health
people make. It's
really about the same
public-health people make. It's really
about the same thing, which is looking at
it's really about the same thing, which
is looking at people's risky behavior,
thing, which is looking at people's risky
behavior, deciding people ought not to
people's risky behavior,
deciding people ought
not to behave that
way, and then trying
deciding people ought
not to behave that way,
and then trying to enlist
the government to get
behave that way, and then
trying to enlist the
government to get those
people to change their
to enlist the government to get those
people to change their behavior.
Those people to change their behavior.
The modern-day equivalents of
behavior. The modern-day equivalents
of the women's temperance league
the modern-day
equivalents of the women's
temperance league are
groups like the center for
the women's temperance
league are groups like
the center for science
in the public interest.
Just like the religious
dry activists, cspi
believes people are too
weak and too stupid to
activists, cspi believes
people are too weak and
too stupid to resist
giving in to temptation.
Are too weak and too
stupid to resist giving
in to temptation.
Whether they call it
resist giving in to temptation. Whether
they call it king-sizing, super-sizing,
whether they call it king-sizing,
super-sizing, or a combo deal, for many
king-sizing, super-sizing, or a combo deal,
for many Americans, it's an offer that's
or a combo deal, for many Americans,
it's an offer that's hard to refuse.
Americans, it's an offer that's hard to
refuse. So, who are these people,
hard to refuse. So, who
are these people, anyway?
So, who are these people, anyway?
Cspi is usually identified in
anyway? Cspi is usually identified
in the media as a consumer-advocacy
cspi is usually identified
in the media as a
consumer-advocacy group,
but they're a little more
group, but they're a
little more than that.
Than that. The center
for science in the
the center for science in
the public interest is a very
public interest is a very
well-intentioned organization,
well-intentioned organization,
but I think they misrepresent
but I think they misrepresent
themselves in that they pick and
themselves in that they pick and
choose the type of science that
choose the type of science that
they choose to endorse if it
they choose to endorse if
it corresponds with their
corresponds with their
organization's mission.
Organization's mission.
They're pushing vegetarianism
they're pushing vegetarianism
to a large extent.
To a large extent.
They are a vegetarian
they are a vegetarian
organization, and that's their
organization, and that's
their real interest.
Real interest. It's not based on
public interest or real science.
It's not based on public interest or
real science. They're promoting
interest or real science. They're
promoting misinformation for the benefit
misinformation for the benefit
of certain industries.
Of certain industries. Actually, they're
not really good scientists at all.
Actually, they're not really good
scientists at all. Cspi was founded by
good scientists at all. Cspi was
founded by Michael Jacobson, a vegetarian
cspi was founded by Michael Jacobson, a
vegetarian activist who used to work for
Michael Jacobson, a vegetarian activist
who used to work for Ralph nader.
Over the years, Jacobson
and cspi have warned
us about all kinds
of dangerous foods.
Cspi have warned us about
all kinds of dangerous
foods. The center
for science in the
kinds of dangerous foods.
The center for
science in the public
interest, the same group
the center for science
in the public interest,
the same group that
recently came down hard on
public interest, the
same group that recently
came down hard on the
calories in Chinese
that recently came down hard on the
calories in Chinese cooking...
The calories in Chinese cooking...
First they said that Chinese
cooking... First they said that
Chinese food was loaded with fat, then
first they said that
Chinese food was loaded
with fat, then Italian,
now it is Mexican.
Food was loaded with fat, then Italian, now
it is Mexican. ...Has a new study on the
Italian, now it is Mexican. ...Has a new
study on the perils of fat and calories in
...has a new study on the perils of fat
and calories in dining out Italian-style.
Perils of fat and calories in dining out
Italian-style. They do not hold back.
Dining out Italian-style. They do not
hold back. No, they do not speak in
they do not hold back. No, they
do not speak in measured terms.
No, they do not speak in measured terms.
They push things to the limit
measured terms. They push things
to the limit all the time.
They push things to the limit all the time.
This is a heart attack in a
all the time. This is
a heart attack in a bun.
This is a heart attack in a bun.
So stay away from fettuccine
bun. So stay away
from fettuccine Alfredo.
So stay away from fettuccine Alfredo.
Hurley calls it "heart attack on
Alfredo. Hurley calls it
"heart attack on a plate."
Hurley calls it "heart attack on
a plate." Have you ever eaten
a plate." Have you ever
eaten fettuccine Alfredo?
Have you ever eaten
fettuccine Alfredo? I have.
Fettuccine Alfredo? I have.
How many times?
I have. How many times?
In my life?
How many times? In my life?
Sure.
In my life? Sure.
Give me a rough guess.
Sure. Give me a rough guess.
50.
Give me a rough guess. 50.
You've eaten 50 servings of
50. You've eaten 50
servings of fettuccine Alfredo?
You've eaten 50 servings of
fettuccine Alfredo? Mm-hmm.
Fettuccine Alfredo?
Mm-hmm. 50.
Mm-hmm. 50. Of course.
I'm Italian.
50. Of course. I'm Italian.
I love fettuccine Alfredo.
Of course. I'm Italian. I love
fettuccine Alfredo. There you go.
I love fettuccine Alfredo. There you go.
I have. Last night.
There you go. I have. Last night.
Last night.
I have. Last night. Last night.
That is bizarre.
Last night. That is bizarre.
Maybe 200.
That is bizarre. Maybe 200.
200?
Maybe 200. 200? And
how many heart attacks have
200? And how many heart
attacks have you had?
And how many heart attacks
have you had? None.
You had? None.
Are you sure?
None. Are you sure?
I think so, yeah.
Are you sure? I think so, yeah.
No, no heart attacks,
I think so, yeah. No,
no heart attacks, actually.
No, no heart attacks, actually.
No heart attacks.
Actually. No heart attacks.
None.
No heart attacks. None.
Are you having chest pains
none. Are you
having chest pains today?
Are you having chest pains today?
No.
Today? No. Any
possibility you had a
no. Any possibility you had a
heart attack and didn't know it?
Any possibility you had a heart
attack and didn't know it? No.
Heart attack and didn't know it? No.
Is there any chance you had a
no. Is there any chance you had
a heart attack and just said, "oh,
is there any chance you
had a heart attack and
just said, "oh, I shouldn't
have had the chili?"
Heart attack and just
said, "oh, I shouldn't
have had the chili?"
Possibly, I guess.
I shouldn't have had the
chili?" Possibly,
I guess. If all
they did was nag us
possibly, I guess.
If all they did was
nag us about the foods
they don't like,
if all they did was
nag us about the foods
they don't like, then
groups like cspi would just
about the foods they don't
like, then groups like
cspi would just be
annoying and occasionally
then groups like cspi would
just be annoying and
occasionally laughable,
but they don't just
be annoying and occasionally laughable,
but they don't just want to nag us.
Laughable, but they don't just want to
nag us. They want big government to step
want to nag us. They want big government
to step in and help us make better
they want big government to step in
and help us make better choices.
In and help us make better choices.
When McDonald's began putting
choices. When McDonald's began putting
out nutrition menus, cspi said
when McDonald's began
putting out nutrition
menus, cspi said that
wasn't good enough because
out nutrition menus, cspi
said that wasn't good
enough because people
don't want to get out of
that wasn't good enough
because people don't
want to get out of
line to read them.
People don't want to get out of line to
read them. "Boy, I really should count my
line to read them. "Boy, I really should
count my calories and lose some weight,
"boy, I really should count
my calories and lose
some weight, but I'd
have to walk all the way
calories and lose some weight, but I'd
have to walk all the way over there.
But I'd have to walk all the way
over there. Eh, heck with it."
Over there. Eh, heck with it."
So now cspi wants the government
eh, heck with it." So now cspi wants the
government to force restaurants to put
so now cspi wants the
government to force
restaurants to put nutrition
information right on
to force restaurants to
put nutrition information
right on your fast-food
package, because
nutrition information
right on your fast-food
package, because then you'd
finally get smart and
your fast-food package,
because then you'd finally
get smart and stop eating
the stuff, which is
then you'd finally get
smart and stop eating
the stuff, which is
a load of baloney.
Stop eating the stuff, which is a load
of baloney. No, I don't think anyone
a load of baloney. No, I don't think
anyone would argue with the idea that
no, I don't think
anyone would argue with
the idea that having
more information about
would argue with the idea that having more
information about what we eat and about its
having more information about what we eat
and about its nutritional content is a good
what we eat and about
its nutritional content
is a good thing, but
the idea that somehow
nutritional content is a
good thing, but the idea
that somehow or another,
if I was confronted
thing, but the idea that
somehow or another, if I
was confronted with the
fact that my big Mac is
or another, if I was
confronted with the fact
that my big Mac is 600
calories would change the
with the fact that my
big Mac is 600 calories
would change the
likelihood that I ate that
600 calories would change
the likelihood that
I ate that big Mac, I
think, is a lot of
likelihood that I ate that big Mac, I
think, is a lot of wishful thinking.
Big Mac, I think, is a lot of wishful
thinking. Now, if you knew that these
wishful thinking. Now, if you knew
that these were 400, 450 calories, would
now, if you knew that
these were 400, 450
calories, would you
just give up fries?
Were 400, 450 calories, would
you just give up fries? No.
You just give up fries?
No. No.
No. No. No.
Probably not.
No. No. Probably not.
If there was a warning label
no. Probably not. If there was a
warning label on here that said "400
if there was a warning
label on here that
said "400 calories,"
then would you stop
on here that said "400 calories,"
then would you stop eating fries?
Calories," then would you
stop eating fries? No.
Eating fries? No.
You wouldn't?
No. You wouldn't? No.
You wouldn't? No.
What the critics of the
no. What the critics of the
fast-food restaurants miss, as
what the critics
of the fast-food
restaurants miss, as
usual, is the element of
fast-food restaurants
miss, as usual, is the
element of consumer
demand and consumer
usual, is the element
of consumer demand and
consumer choice, because
from McDonald's
consumer demand and
consumer choice, because
from McDonald's perspective,
they don't care if
choice, because from
McDonald's perspective,
they don't care if people
are eating, you know,
perspective, they don't
care if people are
eating, you know, bacon
double cheeseburgers or
people are eating, you know, bacon
double cheeseburgers or salads.
Bacon double cheeseburgers or salads.
They will give people what
salads. They will give
people what people want.
They will give people what people want.
The U.S. department of
people want. The U.S. department
of agriculture has estimated that
the U.S. department of agriculture has
estimated that in order to get people to
agriculture has estimated that in order
to get people to consume more leafy green
in order to get people to consume more
leafy green vegetables, we would basically
consume more leafy green
vegetables, we would
basically have to pay
people to eat them.
Vegetables, we would
basically have to pay people
to eat them. If
McDonald's sold carrots,
have to pay people to eat them.
If McDonald's
sold carrots, would you
stop eating fries and
if McDonald's sold carrots, would you
stop eating fries and eat the carrots?
Would you stop eating fries
and eat the carrots? No.
Eat the carrots? No. I'm
not a big fan of carrots.
No. I'm not a big fan of carrots.
So you wouldn't order them?
I'm not a big fan of carrots.
So you wouldn't order them? No.
So you wouldn't order them? No.
No, 'cause I don't like
no. No, 'cause I
don't like carrots.
No, 'cause I don't like carrots.
I hate carrots.
Carrots. I hate carrots.
I actually just had
I hate carrots. I actually just
had vegetables in my bloody Mary,
I actually just had vegetables in my
bloody Mary, though, so maybe that counts.
Vegetables in my bloody Mary, though, so
maybe that counts. Yeah, you don't go to
though, so maybe that counts. Yeah,
you don't go to McDonald's for carrots.
Yeah, you don't go to McDonald's for
carrots. You go to McDonald's for fries.
McDonald's for carrots.
You go to McDonald's
for fries. I don't
go to McDonald's for
you go to McDonald's for fries. I
don't go to McDonald's for the broccoli.
I don't go to McDonald's for the
broccoli. You don't go to McDonald's
the broccoli. You don't go
to McDonald's for the broccoli?
You don't go to McDonald's for the
broccoli? You go to McDonald's for the
for the broccoli? You go to McDonald's
for the hamburgers and the fries.
You go to McDonald's
for the hamburgers and
the fries. If
McDonald's sold broccoli
hamburgers and the fries. If McDonald's
sold broccoli in, like, a nice, little red
if McDonald's sold
broccoli in, like, a nice,
little red package like
this, would you go
in, like, a nice, little red package like
this, would you go in and say, "I want the
package like this, would you go in
and say, "I want the mcbroccoli"?
In and say, "I want the mcbroccoli"?
Mcbroccoli"?
Maybe if they fried it or put
Maybe if they
fried it or put cheese on it.
Maybe if they fried it or put cheese
on it. I'm with you on the cheese
cheese on it. I'm with
you on the cheese part.
I'm with you on the cheese part.
Yep.
Part. Yep. We just keep
on eating the foods
yep. We just keep on eating the
foods the evangelists say we
we just keep on eating the foods
the evangelists say we shouldn't.
The evangelists say we shouldn't.
And they have a plan to fix it.
Shouldn't. And they have a plan to fix it.
And they have a plan to fix it.
It was just an average, peaceful
It was just an average,
peaceful day in Washington, D.C., when
it was just an average,
peaceful day in Washington,
D.C., when suddenly,
a crisis emerged.
Day in Washington, D.C., when suddenly,
a crisis emerged. Help! Help!
Suddenly, a crisis emerged. Help!
Help! Somebody, help!
Help! Help! Somebody, help!
Somebody, help!
What seems to be the problem,
What seems to
be the problem, ma'am?
What seems to be the problem, ma'am?
There's an innocent man over
ma'am? There's an innocent man
over there in mortal danger.
There's an innocent man over there
in mortal danger. You don't mean --
there in mortal danger.
You don't mean -- yes!
You don't mean -- yes!
He's ordering a double
yes! He's ordering a
double cheeseburger!
He's ordering a double cheeseburger!
Gadzooks!
Cheeseburger! Gadzooks!
This is a job for the guy from
gadzooks! This is a job
for the guy from cspi.
This is a job for the guy from cspi.
Yes, these are the adventures
cspi. Yes, these are the adventures
of the guy from cspi, a tireless
yes, these are the
adventures of the guy from
cspi, a tireless promoter
of junk science and
of the guy from cspi, a
tireless promoter of
junk science and dedicated
to lawsuits, press
promoter of junk science
and dedicated to
lawsuits, press conferences,
and the vegetarian
dedicated to lawsuits, press
conferences, and the vegetarian way.
Conferences, and the vegetarian way.
Way. And would
you like fries with
And would you
like fries with that?
And would you like fries with that?
Yeah, let me have a large --
that? Yeah, let me
have a large -- stop!
Yeah, let me have a large -- stop!
Stop tempting this innocent man
stop! Stop tempting this
innocent man with your fatty foods.
Stop tempting this innocent man with
your fatty foods. Who are you?
With your fatty foods. Who are you?
I'm the guy from cspi, and
who are you? I'm the guy from
cspi, and I'm here to save you.
I'm the guy from cspi, and I'm here to
save you. Uh, look, I'm not really into
I'm here to save you. Uh, look, I'm not
really into the whole Jesus thing, see --
uh, look, I'm not really into the
whole Jesus thing, see -- no, no, no.
The whole Jesus thing, see -- no, no,
no. You're choosing bad food because
no, no, no. You're choosing bad food
because it's cheap, so I'm going to
you're choosing bad food
because it's cheap, so
I'm going to double the
price on that double
it's cheap, so I'm going to double the
price on that double cheeseburger.
Double the price on that double
cheeseburger. But I don't want to charge
cheeseburger. But I don't want to
charge him double for the double.
But I don't want to charge him double
for the double. And I don't want to pay
him double for the double. And I don't
want to pay double for the double.
And I don't want to pay double for the
double. That's because you're evil,
double for the double. That's because
you're evil, and you're stupid.
That's because you're evil, and you're
stupid. Using his twin powers of
and you're stupid. Using his twin
powers of taxation and regulation, cspi
using his twin
powers of taxation and
regulation, cspi guy
quickly doubled the prices
taxation and regulation,
cspi guy quickly doubled
the prices on burgers,
fries, and desserts,
guy quickly doubled the
prices on burgers, fries,
and desserts, and forced
the evil restaurant
on burgers, fries, and
desserts, and forced the
evil restaurant to offer
the customer a variety
and forced the evil
restaurant to offer the
customer a variety of munchy,
delicious vegetables
to offer the customer a
variety of munchy, delicious
vegetables at a cheap
and subsidized price.
Of munchy, delicious
vegetables at a cheap and
subsidized price. There.
That ought to do it.
At a cheap and subsidized price.
There. That
ought to do it. It is now
safe to order lunch.
There. That ought to do it.
It is now safe
to order lunch. But I
only have three bucks
it is now safe to order lunch.
But I only have three bucks on me.
But I only have three bucks on me.
You can get the tofu
on me. You can get the tofu
broccoli salad for $2.75.
You can get the tofu broccoli salad
for $2.75. A delicious and healthy
broccoli salad for $2.75. A
delicious and healthy choice, sir.
A delicious and healthy choice, sir.
Yeah. Right.
Choice, sir. Yeah. Right.
Thanks, cspi guy.
Yeah. Right. Thanks, cspi guy.
Freakin' jackass.
Thanks, cspi guy. Freakin' jackass.
Cspi guy, you're my hero.
Freakin' jackass. Cspi guy,
you're my hero. Thank you, ma'am.
Cspi guy, you're my hero. Thank you,
ma'am. But it's all in a day's work for
thank you, ma'am. But it's all in
a day's work for the guy from cspi.
And since we can't be
trusted to make decisions
for ourselves, we certainly
can't be trusted to
to make decisions for
ourselves, we certainly can't
be trusted to make
decisions for our kids, so
we certainly can't be
trusted to make decisions
for our kids, so the
evangelists want to get rid
make decisions for our
kids, so the evangelists
want to get rid of
that whole annoying
the evangelists want to
get rid of that whole
annoying freedom-of-speech
concept and
of that whole annoying freedom-of-speech
concept and put a stop to marketing efforts
freedom-of-speech concept
and put a stop to
marketing efforts that are
directed at children.
Put a stop to marketing
efforts that are directed
at children. If
door-to-door salesman were
that are directed at children.
If door-to-door
salesman were going
around, ringing the bell,
if door-to-door salesman
were going around,
ringing the bell, and the
door is answered by a
going around, ringing the bell, and the
door is answered by a 4- or 5-year-old, and
and the door is answered
by a 4- or 5-year-old,
and they're selling
them ice cream
4- or 5-year-old, and they're selling them
ice cream and candy and cookies, there
they're selling them ice
cream and candy and
cookies, there would be
a legitimate complaint
and candy and cookies,
there would be a
legitimate complaint there,
but that's not what's
would be a legitimate
complaint there, but
that's not what's going
on, and we shouldn't
there, but that's not
what's going on, and
we shouldn't pretend
that's what's going on.
Going on, and we shouldn't
pretend that's what's
going on. There is
this intervening force
pretend that's what's going on. There is
this intervening force known as parents.
There is this intervening force known as
parents. But the guy from cspi says
known as parents. But the guy from
cspi says kids see so many advertisements
but the guy from cspi
says kids see so many
advertisements for junk
foods, parents are
kids see so many advertisements for junk
foods, parents are powerless to say no.
For junk foods, parents are powerless
to say no. Can that be true, or is that
powerless to say no. Can that be true,
or is that also a load of baloney?
Can that be true, or is that also a load of
baloney? To find out, I consulted with a
also a load of baloney?
To find out, I consulted
with a leading expert
in the field of
to find out, I consulted with a leading
expert in the field of child-rearing.
So, when I was, say, 13, 14,
how often did I want to eat at
how often did I want
to eat at McDonald's?
Well, you probably wanted to eat
it every night if you had a chance.
Eat it every night if you had a chance.
How often did you actually
chance. How often did you
actually let us eat at McDonald's?
How often did you actually let us eat at
McDonald's? Oh, probably maybe once a
let us eat at McDonald's? Oh, probably
maybe once a week I'd let you splurge.
Oh, probably maybe
once a week I'd let you
splurge. So, let
me get this straight.
Week I'd let you splurge.
So, let me get
this straight. I would
have eaten there every
so, let me get this straight. I
would have eaten there every night.
I would have eaten there every night.
Right.
Night. Right. You
only let me eat there
right. You only let me
eat there maybe once a week.
You only let me eat there
maybe once a week. Right.
Maybe once a week. Right.
What if I had held my breath
right. What if I had held
my breath until I turned blue?
What if I had held my breath until I
turned blue? Well, you probably would
until I turned blue? Well, you
probably would have passed out.
This is 1,450 calories of
beef, bacon, bun, and cheese.
Hardee's calls it the monster thickburger.
Their sister company Carl's Jr.
Thickburger. Their sister company Carl's
Jr. calls it the double six dollar
their sister company Carl's Jr. calls
it the double six dollar burger.
Calls it the double six dollar burger.
The center for science in the
burger. The center for science in
the public interest calls it...
The center for science
in the public interest
calls it... The
heart attack in a bun.
Public interest calls it...
The heart attack
in a bun. After I
eat this, my calorie
the heart attack in a bun.
After I eat
this, my calorie count for
the day will still be
after I eat this, my calorie count
for the day will still be about 2,200.
Count for the day will still be about
2,200. If I die after I eat it, I'll
about 2,200. If I die after I eat it,
I'll have my wife contribute, I don't
if I die after I eat
it, I'll have my wife
contribute, I don't know,
six bucks to cspi.
It's about 1:15 in the
morning, and I'm awake
'cause I, uh -- I,
uh -- I feel great.
And I'm awake 'cause I, uh -- I, uh --
I feel great. Really, I feel great.
Uh -- I feel great. Really, I feel great.
You know, if I thought I was
really, I feel great. You know, if I
thought I was having a heart attack or
you know, if I thought I was having a heart
attack or something, I probably wouldn't
having a heart attack
or something, I
probably wouldn't bother
setting up a camera.
Something, I probably
wouldn't bother setting
up a camera. "Honey,
I have chest pains.
Bother setting up a camera. "Honey, I
have chest pains. Quick, get a tripod."
"Honey, I have chest pains. Quick,
get a tripod." "I think I'm dying.
Quick, get a tripod." "I think I'm dying.
I-is there enough light in here
"I think I'm dying. I-is there
enough light in here to shoot?"
I-is there enough light in here to
shoot?" "Oh, god, I can barely breathe.
To shoot?" "Oh, god, I can barely breathe.
Switch the mic to minus-10 db."
In 2004, the centers for disease control
released a powerpoint presentation that
disease control
released a powerpoint
presentation that showed
obesity growing and
powerpoint presentation that showed obesity
growing and spreading like a contagious
showed obesity growing and spreading
like a contagious disease.
Spreading like a contagious disease.
The media ate it up.
Disease. The media ate it up.
Spurlock featured it in
the media ate it up. Spurlock
featured it in "super size me."
Spurlock featured it in "super size
me." And at the time, there were
"super size me." And at the time, there
were headlines trumpeting everywhere
and at the time,
there were headlines
trumpeting everywhere
that obesity was soon to
headlines trumpeting
everywhere that obesity
was soon to overtake
smoking as the
that obesity was soon to overtake smoking
as the number-one cause of preventable
overtake smoking as the number-one cause
of preventable death in this country.
Number-one cause of preventable death
in this country. The head of the CDC,
death in this country. The head of the
CDC, Julie gerberding, went before
the head of the CDC, Julie gerberding,
went before congress and issued big
Julie gerberding, went before
congress and issued big warnings.
Congress and issued big warnings.
And there was a big uproar over
warnings. And there was a big uproar
over the number of deaths that would
and there was a big uproar over the
number of deaths that would occur.
The number of deaths that would occur.
Basically, what they did was
occur. Basically, what they did
was divide their survey samples
basically, what they
did was divide their
survey samples between
people who were obese
divide their survey samples
between people who
were obese and people
who were not obese,
between people who were
obese and people who
were not obese, and then
basically looked at
and people who were not obese, and then
basically looked at rates of death.
And then basically looked at rates of
death. Now, if you are obese, and you
rates of death. Now, if you are obese,
and you died from a snakebite, they
now, if you are obese, and you died from a
snakebite, they would say that it was your
died from a snakebite, they would say that
it was your obesity that was causing your
would say that it was your obesity that was
causing your death, not the snakebite.
Obesity that was causing
your death, not the
snakebite. And this
was part of a little
death, not the snakebite.
And this was part
of a little statistical
hanky-panky on their
and this was part of a little
statistical hanky-panky on their part.
Statistical hanky-panky on their part.
In other news today, the
part. In other news today, the
centers for disease control said
in other news today,
the centers for disease
control said it made
a mistake about the
centers for disease control
said it made a mistake
about the scope of the
obesity epidemic in
it made a mistake about the scope of
the obesity epidemic in the country.
Scope of the obesity epidemic in the
country. Roughly a year later, another
the country. Roughly a year later,
another set of researchers from the CDC
roughly a year later,
another set of researchers
from the CDC offered a
much, much lower set
set of researchers from the CDC offered
a much, much lower set of estimates.
Offered a much, much lower set of
estimates. According to their estimates, it
of estimates. According to their estimates,
it was roughly 25,000 people a year
according to their estimates,
it was roughly 25,000
people a year who were
dying from weighing too
was roughly 25,000 people a year who
were dying from weighing too much.
Who were dying from weighing too much.
Researchers say that
much. Researchers say that
mathematical errors exaggerated
researchers say that mathematical
errors exaggerated the death toll.
Mathematical errors exaggerated the death
toll. Why did the CDC inflate the
the death toll. Why did the CDC inflate
the numbers of deaths attributable
why did the CDC inflate the numbers
of deaths attributable to obesity?
Numbers of deaths attributable to obesity?
Follow the money.
I think it's all about
funding and bureaucratic
funding and
bureaucratic mission.
Mission. When I
talked to a few CDC
when I talked to a few CDC
officials, they were constantly
officials, they were constantly
preoccupied about how much money
preoccupied about how much money
the government or congress is
the government or congress is
gonna allot for them for the
gonna allot for them for
the next year, and they're
next year, and they're
constantly worried about getting
constantly worried about
getting their funding cut.
Follow the money. All of this might
have gone unnoticed except for the
all of this might have gone unnoticed
except for the anti-tobacco people, who see
unnoticed except for the
anti-tobacco people,
who see this as a
zero-sum game, so they
anti-tobacco people, who
see this as a zero-sum
game, so they see that
if obesity becomes a
this as a zero-sum game,
so they see that if
obesity becomes a big
public-health issue, it's
see that if obesity becomes
a big public-health
issue, it's gonna
crowd out funding to
big public-health issue, it's gonna crowd
out funding to tackle smoking as a
gonna crowd out funding to tackle
smoking as a public-health issue.
Tackle smoking as a public-health issue.
So they were among the first
public-health issue. So they were among the
first people to point out a lot of the
so they were among the
first people to point out
a lot of the methodological
problems in the
people to point out a lot
of the methodological
problems in the estimates
relating obesity to
methodological problems in the estimates
relating obesity to public-health outcomes.
So the question is what
happens once you've eliminated
happens once you've eliminated
most of the true epidemics?
Most of the true epidemics?
You start to come up with
you start to come up with
metaphorical epidemics --
metaphorical epidemics --
epidemics of smoking, epidemics
epidemics of smoking,
epidemics of obesity.
Of obesity. And it
would be a-okay if
and it would be a-okay
if there weren't secondhand
there weren't
secondhand obesity.
Obesity. Secondhand obesity --
secondhand obesity --
secondhand obesity?
Rule number one when
you're competing for
taxpayer money is to wildly
exaggerate the size of
competing for taxpayer money is to wildly
exaggerate the size of the problem.
To wildly exaggerate the size of the
problem. At a recent meeting of
the problem. At a recent meeting of
government health officials from
at a recent meeting
of government health
officials from around
the world, they called
government health
officials from around the
world, they called obesity
a pandemic that will
around the world, they called obesity a
pandemic that will overwhelm the world's
obesity a pandemic that will overwhelm
the world's healthcare systems.
Overwhelm the world's healthcare systems.
Apparently, fat people are
healthcare systems. Apparently, fat people
are stampeding the world's emergency
apparently, fat people are
stampeding the world's
emergency rooms, choking
on their own fat.
Stampeding the world's emergency rooms,
choking on their own fat. Or maybe not.
Rooms, choking on their own fat. Or
maybe not. So, how fat are we, anyway?
Or maybe not. So, how fat are we, anyway?
I keep hearing these statistics
so, how fat are we, anyway?
I keep hearing
these statistics like
two-thirds of American
I keep hearing these
statistics like two-thirds
of American adults are
overweight and 25%
like two-thirds of American adults
are overweight and 25% are obese.
Adults are overweight and 25% are obese.
I definitely see a lot more
are obese. I definitely see a lot
more people who look like this than I
I definitely see a lot
more people who look like
this than I used to, but
it's not even close
people who look like this than I used
to, but it's not even close to 25%.
Used to, but it's not even close to 25%.
Most of the people I see look
to 25%. Most of the people
I see look pretty normal.
Most of the people I see look pretty
normal. The way the health statistics
pretty normal. The way the health
statistics are bantered about, you would
the way the health
statistics are bantered
about, you would think
that most Americans have
are bantered about, you
would think that most
Americans have gained
anywhere from 50 to 100
think that most Americans have gained
anywhere from 50 to 100 pounds.
Gained anywhere from 50 to 100 pounds.
In fact, that's not the case.
Pounds. In fact, that's not the case.
Most Americans have only gained
in fact, that's not the case.
Most Americans
have only gained between
8 and 10 pounds.
Most Americans have only
gained between 8 and
10 pounds. It's just
the statistics and the
between 8 and 10 pounds.
It's just the statistics
and the numbers have
made those numbers
it's just the statistics and the numbers
have made those numbers seem very large.
Numbers have made those numbers
seem very large. 8 or 10 pounds?
Seem very large. 8 or 10 pounds?
I gained that much on my
8 or 10 pounds? I gained
that much on my honeymoon.
I gained that much on my honeymoon.
How does an extra 10 pounds
honeymoon. How does an extra
10 pounds create an epidemic?
How does an extra 10 pounds create an
epidemic? You have to go back to 1998,
create an epidemic? You have to go back
to 1998, where the national institutes of
you have to go back to
1998, where the national
institutes of health
issued a report where
where the national
institutes of health issued
a report where they
said that bmi, the body
health issued a report where they said that
bmi, the body mass index, would be the
they said that bmi, the body mass index,
would be the standard of how we evaluate
mass index, would be the standard of how we
evaluate people's weight, and that people
standard of how we
evaluate people's weight,
and that people with a
bmi of 25 or more would
people's weight, and that
people with a bmi of
25 or more would be
considered overweight and
with a bmi of 25 or more
would be considered
overweight and people
with a bmi of 30 or more
be considered overweight
and people with a
bmi of 30 or more would
be considered obese.
People with a bmi of 30 or more would be
considered obese. That decision, overnight,
would be considered obese. That decision,
overnight, suddenly meant millions and
that decision, overnight, suddenly meant
millions and millions of Americans were
suddenly meant millions and millions of
Americans were considered overweight --
millions of Americans were considered
overweight -- for example, me.
Considered overweight -- for example, me.
I'm 6 feet tall, 190 pounds,
for example, me. I'm 6 feet tall, 190
pounds, and I am technically overweight.
I'm 6 feet tall, 190 pounds, and I am
technically overweight. You are?
And I am technically overweight. You
are? I am technically overweight.
You are? I am technically overweight.
Could you stand up and turn
I am technically overweight.
Could you stand up and turn around?
Could you stand up and turn around?
Is that too embarrassing?
Around? Is that too embarrassing?
No, no, no, no, no. See.
Is that too embarrassing? No, no, no,
no, no. See. This is my wrinkled shirt.
No, no, no, no, no. See.
This is my wrinkled
shirt. You're
considered overweight?
This is my wrinkled shirt.
You're considered
overweight? I'm
considered overweight by
you're considered overweight?
I'm
considered overweight by
contemporary standards.
I'm in good company. George
Bush, Michael Jordan, any
George Bush, Michael Jordan,
any number of figures who are
number of figures who are
considered to be very fit are
considered to be very fit are
also considered overweight.
Bmi is a ratio of your height to
weight, period. If you're 6 feet tall and
to weight, period. If you're 6 feet
tall and weigh 225, you have a bmi of
if you're 6 feet tall and weigh 225, you
have a bmi of over 30, and according to the
weigh 225, you have a bmi of over 30, and
according to the government, you're obese.
Over 30, and according
to the government,
you're obese. It doesn't
matter if the extra
government, you're obese.
It doesn't matter
if the extra weight is
in your belly or your
it doesn't matter if the extra weight
is in your belly or your biceps.
Weight is in your belly or your biceps.
So, in spite of all the media
biceps. So, in spite of all the
media hype, we don't have a sudden
so, in spite of all the media hype, we
don't have a sudden epidemic of obesity.
Hype, we don't have a sudden epidemic of
obesity. We had a sudden change in the
epidemic of obesity. We had a sudden
change in the definition of obesity.
We had a sudden change in the definition of
obesity. But why would our own government
definition of obesity.
But why would our own
government want to tell
so many of us that
but why would our own government want
to tell so many of us that we're obese?
Want to tell so many of us that
we're obese? Follow the money.
We're obese? Follow the money.
Now, most of these people,
follow the money. Now, most of
these people, including the chair,
now, most of these people, including
the chair, Xavier pi-sunyer, are heavily
including the chair, Xavier pi-sunyer, are
heavily subsidized by the weight-loss
Xavier pi-sunyer, are heavily
subsidized by the weight-loss industry.
Subsidized by the weight-loss industry.
Most of them receive numerous
industry. Most of them receive
numerous research grants, serve on
most of them receive
numerous research grants,
serve on various
boards, have received
research grants, serve on various boards,
have received various types of funding or
various boards, have received various
types of funding or awards from various
various types of funding or awards
from various pharmaceutical and other
awards from various pharmaceutical
and other weight-loss companies.
Pharmaceutical and other weight-loss
companies. The conflict of interest between
weight-loss companies.
The conflict of
interest between obesity
researchers and the
the conflict of interest
between obesity
researchers and the
weight-loss industry is large
obesity researchers and the weight-loss
industry is large and problematic.
Here are some no-baloney facts
that the CDC doesn't mention.
Facts that the CDC doesn't mention.
In 1970, the median age in
mention. In 1970, the median
age in America was 27.
Today, it's 36. Is it really a big
shock that a population that's nearly
is it really a big shock that a population
that's nearly 10 years older would also be
population that's nearly 10 years older
would also be 10 pounds heavier?
10 years older would also be 10 pounds
heavier? Also in 1970, blacks and
10 pounds heavier? Also in 1970, blacks
and hispanics made up about 15% of
also in 1970, blacks and hispanics
made up about 15% of the population.
Hispanics made up about 15% of the
population. Today that's more than 25% and
the population. Today that's
more than 25% and still growing.
Today that's more than 25% and
still growing. Well, guess what.
Still growing. Well, guess what.
Blacks and hispanics are much
well, guess what. Blacks and hispanics
are much more likely to have a bmi of
blacks and hispanics are much more
likely to have a bmi of over 30.
More likely to have a bmi of over 30.
And it's not because they're
over 30. And it's not because
they're lazy or stupid.
And it's not because they're lazy
or stupid. They're just genetically
lazy or stupid. They're just genetically
predisposed to be thicker than
they're just genetically predisposed
to be thicker than white people.
Predisposed to be thicker than white
people. This isn't an epidemic,
white people. This isn't an
epidemic, it's a population shift.
This isn't an epidemic, it's a population
shift. And it makes some people very
it's a population shift. And it makes
some people very uncomfortable.
And it makes some people very
uncomfortable. I think a lot of our
uncomfortable. I think a lot of
our apprehension about obesity is
I think a lot of our apprehension about
obesity is tied up with an aversion towards
apprehension about obesity is tied
up with an aversion towards race.
Tied up with an aversion towards race.
White people see higher
race. White people see higher
percentages of latinos or
white people see higher percentages of
latinos or African-Americans being obese,
percentages of latinos or African-Americans
being obese, and it gets tied up with a lot
African-Americans being
obese, and it gets tied
up with a lot of these
issues about individual
and it gets tied up with
a lot of these issues
about individual
self-control, and we end up
of these issues about
individual self-control,
and we end up finding
that, for example, a lot
self-control, and we end
up finding that, for
example, a lot of the
same types of words and
finding that, for example,
a lot of the same
types of words and
descriptions that are used to
of the same types of words and descriptions
that are used to denigrate minorities and
descriptions that are
used to denigrate
minorities and denigrate
the poor are also used
denigrate minorities and denigrate the poor
are also used to denigrate fat people.
Denigrate the poor are
also used to denigrate
fat people. One of
the most interesting
to denigrate fat people. One of the most
interesting things I found on this was when
one of the most interesting
things I found on
this was when I go to
conferences of obesity
things I found on this was when I go
to conferences of obesity researchers.
I go to conferences of obesity researchers.
Everyone is a thin white person.
It's not just a
personal choice.
Choice. The rest of
us pick up the tab.
The rest of us pick up the tab.
The next generation's fat.
The next generation's fat. We
see that obesity compromises
we see that obesity compromises
educational possibilities.
And it's all of these
thin white people who
are fretting so much
about the weight of, you
white people who are
fretting so much about the
weight of, you know,
black and brown people.
Much about the weight
of, you know, black and
brown people. To be
perfectly honest, I
know, black and brown people.
To be perfectly
honest, I wish I could
wear a swimsuit in
to be perfectly honest, I wish I could
wear a swimsuit in public without feeling
wish I could wear a
swimsuit in public
without feeling embarrassed,
which I haven't
public without feeling embarrassed, which
I haven't done since I was maybe 13, but
embarrassed, which I
haven't done since I was
maybe 13, but that's not
what really matters.
Done since I was maybe
13, but that's not what
really matters. My first
daughter was born the
that's not what really matters.
My first
daughter was born the
same week I turned 45.
My first daughter was born the same week I
turned 45. I was 46 when her little sister
same week I turned 45. I was 46
when her little sister came along.
I was 46 when her little sister came along.
I want to live long enough to
came along. I want to live long
enough to see them grow up and become
I want to live long
enough to see them grow
up and become whoever
they're supposed to be.
See them grow up and become whoever they're
supposed to be. I want to dance at their
whoever they're supposed to be. I
want to dance at their weddings.
I want to dance at their weddings.
I want to play with my
weddings. I want to play
with my grandchildren.
I want to play with my grandchildren.
So, is the extra 20 pounds I'm
grandchildren. So, is the extra 20 pounds
I'm carrying around going to kill me
so, is the extra 20 pounds I'm carrying
around going to kill me before my time?
Well, let's look at a
couple more no-baloney
facts the CDC
doesn't talk about.
People the government
classifies as overweight
actually have longer
average life-spans than
as overweight actually have longer average
life-spans than people classified as normal
longer average life-spans than
people classified as normal weight.
People classified as normal weight.
And men who are classified as
weight. And men who are classified
as obese but get regular exercise
and men who are classified
as obese but get
regular exercise are only
half as likely to die
obese but get regular
exercise are only half
as likely to die prematurely
as thin men who
are only half as likely to die prematurely
as thin men who don't exercise.
One of the big problems of
making weight a barometer of
making weight a barometer of
health and fitness is that it
health and fitness is that it
simply says that if someone is
simply says that if someone is
thin, no matter how fit they
thin, no matter how fit they
are, they're healthier than
are, they're healthier than
somebody who is fat, when in
somebody who is fat, when in
fact, the scientific evidence is
fact, the scientific evidence is
overwhelmingly conclusive that
overwhelmingly conclusive that
people who are fit and active
people who are fit and active
are healthier no matter what
are healthier no matter
what their body size is.
Their body size is. Okay.
Okay. You didn't
tell me that you work
you didn't tell me that you work
out, but I'm feeling lots of
out, but I'm feeling
lots of muscle here.
Muscle here. And what
do you do for physical
and what do you do for
physical activity, tom?
Activity, tom? Walk.
Walk. Daily?
Daily? The
hdl is incredible.
The hdl is incredible.
It's 61.
It's 61. And your
triglycerides were
and your triglycerides
were great.
Great. They were 70.
They were 70. The
problem with linking
the problem with linking
obesity to most diseases is much
obesity to most diseases is much
like saying that, "well, the
like saying that, "well, the
real problem with lung cancer is
real problem with lung cancer is
bad breath or smelly clothes,"
bad breath or smelly clothes,"
rather than blaming cigarettes.
I.E., we're blaming an associated symptom
rather than an underlying cause of these
associated symptom rather
than an underlying
cause of these
health conditions.
An underlying cause of these health
conditions. And why are we blaming the
health conditions. And why
are we blaming the symptom?
And why are we blaming the symptom?
Follow the money.
Symptom? Follow the money.
Well, it's very profitable
follow the money. Well, it's very
profitable for certain groups in our
well, it's very
profitable for certain
groups in our society to
treat these symptoms.
For certain groups in
our society to treat
these symptoms. And
that's all obesity is.
Society to treat these symptoms. And
that's all obesity is. It's a symptom.
And that's all obesity is. It's a
symptom. If you have chronically high
it's a symptom. If you have chronically
high blood sugar, there's a very good
if you have chronically
high blood sugar, there's
a very good chance it'll
make you fat, but
blood sugar, there's a
very good chance it'll
make you fat, but there
are plenty of thin people
chance it'll make you
fat, but there are plenty
of thin people who also
have high blood sugar,
there are plenty of thin
people who also have
high blood sugar, and
there are plenty of fat
who also have high blood sugar, and
there are plenty of fat people like me.
And there are plenty of fat people like me.
I'm overweight.
People like me. I'm overweight.
In fact, I'm technically obese,
I'm overweight. In fact, I'm technically
obese, but I'm perfectly healthy, and
in fact, I'm technically
obese, but I'm perfectly
healthy, and my blood
sugar is normal.
But I'm perfectly healthy,
and my blood sugar
is normal. And if
anything is going to kill
my blood sugar is normal.
And if anything is
going to kill you,
it's high blood sugar.
Yeah, I think the
most difficult group of
people to work with as
a physician are the
difficult group of
people to work with as a
physician are the people
who have the metabolic
work with as a physician
are the people who have
the metabolic problems
-- they have high blood
people who have the
metabolic problems -- they
have high blood pressure,
they have type-2
problems -- they have
high blood pressure, they
have type-2 diabetes
-- and yet they don't
pressure, they have
type-2 diabetes -- and
yet they don't gain
weight, 'cause it's very
diabetes -- and yet
they don't gain weight,
'cause it's very difficult
for a physician to
gain weight, 'cause it's
very difficult for a
physician to make that
person understand that
difficult for a physician
to make that person
understand that they have
to change the way they
make that person understand that they
have to change the way they eat.
Over the past 30 years, millions of
Americans have developed a condition that
millions of Americans have
developed a condition
that doctors call
metabolic syndrome.
Developed a condition that
doctors call metabolic
syndrome. It begins
with high blood sugar
doctors call metabolic syndrome.
It begins with
high blood sugar and can
eventually cause Insulin
it begins with high blood
sugar and can eventually
cause Insulin resistance,
type-2 diabetes, and
and can eventually cause
Insulin resistance,
type-2 diabetes,
and heart disease.
Resistance, type-2 diabetes, and heart
disease. And that's the real epidemic.
Heart disease. And that's the real
epidemic. So, what's causing it?
And that's the real epidemic. So, what's
causing it? Well, a big part of the problem
so, what's causing it? Well, a big part of
the problem might just be the very advice
well, a big part of the
problem might just be
the very advice that was
supposed to make us
might just be the very advice that
was supposed to make us healthy.
That was supposed to make us healthy.
And you ask if I've got the
healthy. And you ask
if I've got the fat
and you ask if I've got the
fat that just might have a heart
fat that just might
have a heart attack
that just might have a heart attack
now, it's probably not going
attack now, it's probably not going
to make my doctor very happy to
now, it's probably not
going to make my doctor
very happy to hear this,
but I ran an analysis
to make my doctor very
happy to hear this, but
I ran an analysis on my
fast-food diet so far.
Hear this, but I ran an
analysis on my fast-food
diet so far. I'm about
two weeks into it, and
on my fast-food diet so far.
I'm about two
weeks into it, and I'm
getting about 54% of my
I'm about two weeks into
it, and I'm getting
about 54% of my calories
from fat and about 22%
I'm getting about 54%
of my calories from fat
and about 22% of my
calories from saturated
calories from fat and about 22% of
my calories from saturated fat.
Of my calories from saturated fat.
According to all the usual
fat. According to all the usual
dietary advice, that means my
according to all the
usual dietary advice,
that means my cholesterol
is probably shooting
dietary advice, that means my
cholesterol is probably shooting up.
Cholesterol is probably shooting up.
I'm putting myself at risk for a
up. I'm putting myself at risk for
a heart attack down the line if I
I'm putting myself at risk for a heart
attack down the line if I keep doing this.
Heart attack down the line if I keep doing
this. The usual advice for avoiding
keep doing this. The usual advice
for avoiding heart disease is to eat a
the usual advice for
avoiding heart disease
is to eat a low-fat
diet with plenty of
heart disease is to eat a low-fat diet with
plenty of whole grains, and substitute
low-fat diet with plenty of whole grains,
and substitute vegetable oils for saturated
whole grains, and substitute vegetable
oils for saturated animal fats.
Vegetable oils for saturated animal fats.
But does that advice really fit
animal fats. But does that advice
really fit with human biology?
But does that advice really fit with human
biology? Let's start with one simple
with human biology? Let's
start with one simple idea.
Let's start with one simple idea.
Mother nature isn't stupid.
Idea. Mother nature isn't stupid.
She didn't make human beings the
mother nature isn't stupid. She didn't make
human beings the only species on earth who
she didn't make human
beings the only species
on earth who prefers
foods that will kill
only species on earth who prefers
foods that will kill us.
Prefers foods that will kill us.
So, what do human beings
us. So, what do human beings
naturally like to eat?
Your natural preference is
for things that are salty,
for things that are salty,
things that are sweet, and
things that are sweet, and
things that are fatty.
You have those three native desires for
good reason. Those are the things that are
desires for good reason. Those are
the things that are good for you.
Those are the things that are good for you.
That's where the nutrients that
good for you. That's where the
nutrients that you need are located.
That's where the nutrients
that you need are
located. In nature,
sweet means fruit,
you need are located. In nature, sweet
means fruit, along with certain vegetables
in nature, sweet means fruit, along
with certain vegetables like carrots.
Along with certain vegetables like carrots.
And those are good for you.
Like carrots. And those are good for you.
Fats occur naturally in foods
and those are good for you.
Fats occur naturally
in foods like olives
and nuts, but for
fats occur naturally in
foods like olives and
nuts, but for most of
human history, the
like olives and nuts, but for most of human
history, the biggest source of fat was
most of human history, the biggest source
of fat was saturated animal fat, which is
biggest source of fat was saturated
animal fat, which is fatty and salty.
Saturated animal fat, which
is fatty and salty. Yum, yum.
Fatty and salty. Yum, yum. And
for millions of years, this
yum, yum. And for millions of
years, this is exactly how we ate.
And for millions of years, this is exactly
how we ate. We ate no sugar, almost no
is exactly how we ate. We ate no sugar,
almost no starch, a little bit of
we ate no sugar, almost no starch, a little
bit of vegetable fat, and a whole lot
starch, a little bit of vegetable fat, and
a whole lot of saturated animal fat, up to
vegetable fat, and a
whole lot of saturated
animal fat, up to 5 or
even 10 times as much as
of saturated animal fat, up to 5 or even 10
times as much as the experts say we should.
5 or even 10 times as much as the experts
say we should. But almost nobody got heart
the experts say we should. But
almost nobody got heart disease.
If you look at
pre-agricultural humans, at
pre-agricultural humans, at
their skeletal remains, the
their skeletal remains, the
cortical thickness of their
cortical thickness of their
bones, they're robust, they're
bones, they're robust, they're
tall, they had good teeth.
When societies became agricultural, and
we became short of stature, you know,
agricultural, and we
became short of stature,
you know, tooth decay
became rampant,
short of stature, you know, tooth decay
became rampant, infections were rampant --
tooth decay became rampant, infections were
rampant -- human health devolved when we
infections were rampant -- human health
devolved when we adopted agriculture.
Human health devolved when we adopted
agriculture. If you could pack all of
adopted agriculture. If you could
pack all of human history into one year,
if you could pack all of human history
into one year, we've only been farming and
human history into one year, we've only
been farming and eating grain since about
we've only been farming and eating grain
since about yesterday, which is when we
eating grain since about yesterday, which
is when we became shorter and fatter.
Yesterday, which is when we became shorter
and fatter. We only started consuming
became shorter and fatter. We only started
consuming processed vegetable oils about
we only started consuming
processed vegetable
oils about 10 minutes
ago, which is when
processed vegetable oils about 10 minutes
ago, which is when heart disease became our
10 minutes ago, which is when heart
disease became our number-one killer.
Heart disease became our number-one killer.
So, after examining all this
number-one killer. So, after examining
all this human history, the experts came
so, after examining all
this human history, the
experts came to the
obvious conclusion -- we
human history, the experts
came to the obvious
conclusion -- we need to
eat a lot more of these.
To the obvious conclusion
-- we need to eat a lot
more of these. And so
they convinced us that
need to eat a lot more of these.
And so they
convinced us that human
health depends on foods we
and so they convinced us
that human health depends
on foods we didn't eat
for more than 99% of
human health depends on foods we didn't eat
for more than 99% of our entire existence.
Didn't eat for more than 99% of our
entire existence. How did this happen?
Our entire existence. How did this happen?
She-do-do-do
how did this happen?
She-do-do-do she-do-do-do
she-do-do-do she-do-do-do
she-do-do-do, wow-wow
she-do-do-do she-do-do-do, wow-wow
in the 1950s, a biochemist
she-do-do-do, wow-wow in the 1950s, a
biochemist named ancel keys published a
in the 1950s, a biochemist named ancel
keys published a study that compared heart
named ancel keys
published a study that
compared heart disease
and fat consumption in a
study that compared heart disease and fat
consumption in a half-dozen countries --
disease and fat consumption in a half-dozen
countries -- the more fat, the more heart
half-dozen countries -- the more
fat, the more heart disease.
The more fat, the more heart disease.
The trend line was unmistakable.
Just one little problem
-- keys left out
countries where people eat
a lot of fat but have
keys left out countries
where people eat a lot
of fat but have very
little heart disease, like
people eat a lot of fat
but have very little
heart disease, like
Holland and Norway.
He also left out countries
where people don't
each much fat but do have
a lot of heart disease,
people don't each much fat but do have
a lot of heart disease, like Chile.
Do have a lot of heart disease, like Chile.
In fact, keys had reliable data
like Chile. In fact, keys had reliable
data from 22 countries, and the
in fact, keys had reliable
data from 22 countries,
and the results were
all over the place,
from 22 countries, and
the results were all
over the place, but you
can't make a big splash
results were all over the
place, but you can't
make a big splash in the
scientific community with
but you can't make a big
splash in the scientific
community with a trend
line that looks like
in the scientific community with a
trend line that looks like this.
A trend line that looks like this.
So keys did what any dedicated
this. So keys did what any
dedicated researcher would do.
So keys did what any dedicated researcher
would do. He threw out the data that
researcher would do. He threw out the
data that didn't fit and published his
he threw out the data that didn't
fit and published his results.
Didn't fit and published his results.
His punishment for this bit of
results. His punishment for this bit
of scientific chicanery was to get
his punishment for
this bit of scientific
chicanery was to get his
picture on the cover of
scientific chicanery was to get his
picture on the cover of time magazine.
His picture on the cover of time magazine.
Keys became known as the father
time magazine. Keys became known as the
father of the lipid hypothesis, which
keys became known as the
father of the lipid
hypothesis, which says
that eating saturated fat
of the lipid hypothesis,
which says that eating
saturated fat raises the
cholesterol in your
says that eating
saturated fat raises the
cholesterol in your blood,
and high cholesterol in
raises the cholesterol
in your blood, and high
cholesterol in your blood
clogs your arteries
blood, and high
cholesterol in your blood
clogs your arteries and
causes heart disease.
The hypothesis that when you
eat high fat that then that
eat high fat that then that
produces high cholesterol, and
produces high cholesterol, and
the cholesterol produces heart
the cholesterol produces heart
disease, is wrong in every one
disease, is wrong in every
one of those links.
Of those links. This
whole idea that dietary
this whole idea that dietary
fat causes cholesterol problems
fat causes cholesterol
problems is sort of a myth.
Is sort of a myth. The whole
idea that cholesterol
the whole idea that cholesterol
problems lead to heart disease
problems lead to heart
disease is a myth.
Is a myth. The theory
is completely and
the theory is completely
and totally wrong.
Totally wrong. It was a
theory that was made
it was a theory that was made out
of whole cloth and then pushed.
Out of whole cloth and then pushed.
The term "artery-clogging
pushed. The term "artery-clogging
saturated fat," it's as though
the term "artery-clogging saturated
fat," it's as though it's all one word.
Saturated fat," it's as though it's
all one word.
It's become part of the zeitgeist.
Everybody knows saturated fat is
zeitgeist. Everybody knows saturated
fat is bad for you, but when you get
everybody knows saturated
fat is bad for you,
but when you get back and
you start looking at
bad for you, but when you
get back and you start
looking at the medical
literature, and you
back and you start
looking at the medical
literature, and you root
back through to find out
the medical literature,
and you root back through
to find out where this
whole idea came from,
root back through to find out where
this whole idea came from, it's bogus.
Where this whole idea came from, it's
bogus. Three authors who did root
it's bogus. Three authors who did
root through the medical literature
three authors who did
root through the medical
literature are science
writer Gary taubes,
through the medical
literature are science writer
Gary taubes, Swedish
doctor uffe ravnskov,
are science writer Gary taubes, Swedish
doctor uffe ravnskov, and British doctor
Swedish doctor uffe ravnskov, and
British doctor Malcolm Kendrick.
And British doctor Malcolm Kendrick.
When they examined the data from
Malcolm Kendrick. When they examined the
data from all the big studies on heart
when they examined the
data from all the big
studies on heart disease,
they discovered some
all the big studies on heart disease, they
discovered some pretty interesting facts.
Disease, they discovered some pretty
interesting facts. Here's my favorite.
Pretty interesting facts. Here's my
favorite. Guess how many studies actually
here's my favorite. Guess how many studies
actually prove that a high-fat diet
guess how many studies actually prove that
a high-fat diet causes heart disease.
Prove that a high-fat diet causes
heart disease. The answer -- zero.
Causes heart disease. The answer -- zero.
That's right. None.
The answer -- zero. That's right. None.
In some of the largest studies
that's right. None. In some of the largest
studies ever conducted, researchers put
in some of the largest
studies ever conducted,
researchers put thousands
of volunteers on a
ever conducted, researchers
put thousands of
volunteers on a low-fat
diet and then tracked
thousands of volunteers
on a low-fat diet and
then tracked their health
history for several
low-fat diet and then tracked their
health history for several years.
Their health history for several years.
The results -- nothing.
Years. The results -- nothing.
They had just as many heart
the results -- nothing. They had just as
many heart attacks as people who weren't on
they had just as many heart attacks as
people who weren't on a low-fat diet.
Attacks as people who weren't on a low-fat
diet. Since 1948, the Harvard medical
a low-fat diet. Since 1948, the Harvard
medical school has been following the
since 1948, the Harvard
medical school has been
following the diets and
death rates of the
school has been following the diets and
death rates of the entire population of
diets and death rates of the entire
population of framingham, Massachusetts.
One of the researchers
involved in the
framingham study called
the lipid hypothesis...
And after more than
40 years, even the
director of the study
made a rather startling
even the director of the
study made a rather
startling admission
about what the study
made a rather startling admission about
what the study data actually shows.
In other words, a high-fat diet does not
automatically raise your cholesterol.
Does not automatically
raise your
cholesterol. Well, what
about the second half
your cholesterol. Well, what about the
second half of the lipid hypothesis?
Well, what about the
second half of the lipid
hypothesis? Whether it
comes from your diet
of the lipid hypothesis?
Whether it comes from
your diet or not, doesn't
high cholesterol
whether it comes from
your diet or not,
doesn't high cholesterol
cause heart disease?
Or not, doesn't high cholesterol cause
heart disease? After all, that's what the
cause heart disease? After all, that's
what the experts have been telling us for
after all, that's what the experts
have been telling us for 50 years.
Experts have been telling us for 50 years.
Lots of people have bad heart
50 years. Lots of people have
bad heart attacks and have low
lots of people have bad heart
attacks and have low cholesterol.
Attacks and have low cholesterol.
There's not really a huge
cholesterol. There's not really
a huge correlation there.
You've got people who have heart attacks
and who develop plaque who have high
heart attacks and who develop plaque who
have high cholesterol, people who have low
plaque who have high cholesterol,
people who have low cholesterol.
There's really not any correlation.
Michael debakey, the famous
correlation. Michael debakey, the
famous heart surgeon, compared the
Michael debakey, the
famous heart surgeon,
compared the medical
records of more than
heart surgeon, compared the medical records
of more than 1,700 of his own patients.
Medical records of more
than 1,700 of his own
patients. He found no
relationship between
1,700 of his own patients.
He found no
relationship between
cholesterol levels and heart
he found no relationship between
cholesterol levels and heart disease.
Cholesterol levels and heart disease.
When Dwight eisenhower had his
disease. When Dwight eisenhower
had his first heart attack, his
when Dwight eisenhower had his first heart
attack, his cholesterol was only about 165.
First heart attack, his cholesterol
was only about 165. Wow!
Cholesterol was only about 165. Wow!
That's a nice, healthy level
wow! That's a nice, healthy
level there, general.
That's a nice, healthy level there,
general.
There, general. So, if high cholesterol doesn't
So,
if high cholesterol
doesn't actually
cause heart disease,
so, if high cholesterol doesn't actually
cause heart disease, what does?
Actually cause heart disease, what does?
The newest theories in heart
what does? The newest theories in
heart disease development don't have
the newest theories in
heart disease development
don't have anything to
do with cholesterol,
disease development don't have anything to
do with cholesterol, they have to do with
anything to do with cholesterol,
they have to do with inflammation.
Cholesterol does not
cause heart disease.
Heart disease. Cholesterol
is the thing that
cholesterol is the thing that
heart disease acts upon.
Heart disease acts upon.
The heart disease is the
the heart disease is the
inflammation and the oxidation,
inflammation and the oxidation,
the plaquing out of cholesterol
the plaquing out of cholesterol
once it becomes oxidized.
So many people have
been found that had
low, normal or low
cholesterol, and they still
found that had low, normal
or low cholesterol,
and they still had bad
heart disease, but most
low cholesterol, and
they still had bad heart
disease, but most of those
people, when they're
had bad heart disease, but
most of those people,
when they're checked
carefully, will have
of those people, when they're checked
carefully, will have signs of inflammation.
Checked carefully, will have signs of
inflammation. To understand how
signs of inflammation. To understand
how inflammation can cause heart
to understand how inflammation can
cause heart disease, let's look at what
inflammation can cause heart disease, let's
look at what cholesterol actually does.
Disease, let's look
at what cholesterol
actually does. Cholesterol
is one of the most
cholesterol actually does.
Cholesterol is one
of the most important
substances in your
cholesterol is one of the most
important substances in your body.
Important substances in your body.
Without it, you would be dead.
Body. Without it, you would be dead.
Your brain and your nervous
without it, you would be dead.
Your brain and
your nervous system are
full of cholesterol.
Your brain and your nervous
system are full of
cholesterol. The walls
of your cells depend
system are full of cholesterol. The walls
of your cells depend on cholesterol.
The walls of your
cells depend on
cholesterol. Nearly all
of your hormones are
on cholesterol. Nearly all of your
hormones are made from cholesterol.
Nearly all of your hormones are made from
cholesterol. This stuff is so important,
made from cholesterol. This stuff is so
important, almost every cell in your body
this stuff is so important,
almost every cell
in your body can make
its own cholesterol if
almost every cell in your body can
make its own cholesterol if it has to.
Can make its own cholesterol if it has to.
The heart-disease story we all
it has to. The heart-disease story
we all know goes like this.
The heart-disease story we all know goes
like this. If you have too much ldl, or bad
know goes like this. If you have too much
ldl, or bad cholesterol, it builds up in
if you have too much
ldl, or bad cholesterol,
it builds up in your
arteries and makes them
cholesterol, it builds up in your
arteries and makes them narrow.
Your arteries and makes them narrow.
But if you're lucky, hdl, or
narrow. But if you're lucky, hdl,
or good cholesterol, gobbles it up
but if you're lucky, hdl,
or good cholesterol,
gobbles it up and
clears it away.
Good cholesterol, gobbles it up and clears
it away. It's a nice, simple story, and
and clears it away. It's a nice, simple
story, and it's a load of baloney.
It's a nice, simple story, and it's a load
of baloney. For one thing, ldl and hdl are
it's a load of baloney. For one thing,
ldl and hdl are not cholesterol.
For one thing, ldl and hdl are not
cholesterol. They're proteins that carry
not cholesterol. They're proteins that
carry cholesterol through your blood.
They're proteins that
carry cholesterol through
your blood. Ldl carries
cholesterol from
cholesterol through your blood.
Ldl carries
cholesterol from your liver
to your tissues, and
ldl carries cholesterol
from your liver to your
tissues, and hdl carries
old cholesterol back
your liver to your tissues,
and hdl carries old
cholesterol back to
your liver, where it's
hdl carries old cholesterol back to
your liver, where it's recycled.
To your liver, where it's recycled.
If you want more hdl, the last
recycled. If you want more hdl, the
last thing you need is a low-fat
if you want more hdl, the last
thing you need is a low-fat diet.
Thing you need is a low-fat diet.
What makes hdl go up?
Diet. What makes hdl go up?
Fat in the diet.
What makes hdl go up? Fat in the diet.
That's what raises hdl.
Fat in the diet. That's what raises hdl.
So you increase the fat in your
that's what raises hdl. So you increase the
fat in your diet, and your hdl, deemed by
so you increase the fat in your diet, and
your hdl, deemed by even the most fervent
diet, and your hdl, deemed by even the most
fervent anti-cholesterol person as the
even the most fervent
anti-cholesterol
person as the good
cholesterol, hdl goes up.
Anti-cholesterol person as the good
cholesterol, hdl goes up. That's right.
Good cholesterol, hdl goes up. That's
right. In spite of what the experts
that's right. In spite of what the
experts told us, 27 different studies
in spite of what the experts
told us, 27 different
studies have shown
that eating saturated
told us, 27 different studies have shown
that eating saturated fat raises your hdl.
Have shown that eating saturated fat raises
your hdl. And despite its bad reputation,
fat raises your hdl. And despite its bad
reputation, not all ldl is actually bad.
Ldl comes in different size packages.
There are little small, dense,
packages. There are little small,
dense, b.B.-Like packages, and there
there are little small, dense, b.B.-Like
packages, and there are big, round, fluffy,
b.B.-Like packages, and there are big,
round, fluffy, cotton-ball-like packages.
And the small, dense ones,
it turns out, what's
called the type-b ldl,
are the most harmful
turns out, what's called
the type-b ldl, are the
most harmful ones, and
the big, fluffy ones
type-b ldl, are the most
harmful ones, and the
big, fluffy ones aren't
particularly harmful at
ones, and the big, fluffy ones
aren't particularly harmful at all.
Aren't particularly harmful at all.
Heart disease doesn't begin
all. Heart disease doesn't begin
when your cholesterol goes up.
Heart disease doesn't
begin when your
cholesterol goes up. It
begins when your arteries
when your cholesterol goes up.
It begins when
your arteries become
damaged or inflamed.
It begins when your
arteries become damaged
or inflamed. Ldl then
does exactly what it's
become damaged or inflamed.
Ldl then does exactly
what it's supposed to
do -- it brings in
ldl then does exactly
what it's supposed to do
-- it brings in cholesterol
to help the healing
supposed to do -- it brings in
cholesterol to help the healing process.
Cholesterol to help the healing process.
But if small ldl becomes damaged
process. But if small ldl becomes
damaged by oxidation, it can penetrate
but if small ldl becomes
damaged by oxidation,
it can penetrate the
wall of the artery.
By oxidation, it can penetrate the wall
of the artery. If the inflammation and
the wall of the artery. If the inflammation
and oxidation continue, a plaque
if the inflammation and oxidation
continue, a plaque begins to form.
Oxidation continue, a plaque begins to
form. Now you've got heart disease.
Begins to form. Now you've got heart
disease. So, does a high-fat diet produce
now you've got heart disease. So, does a
high-fat diet produce too much small ldl?
So, does a high-fat diet produce
too much small ldl? Nope.
Too much small ldl? Nope.
Small ldl is the result of
nope. Small ldl is the result of
eating too many carbohydrates.
Small ldl is the result of eating too many
carbohydrates. That's been shown in
eating too many carbohydrates.
That's been
shown in the medical
literature probably
that's been shown in
the medical literature
probably a dozen
times, at least, in
the medical literature probably a dozen
times, at least, in papers, that reducing
a dozen times, at least, in papers, that
reducing carbohydrate in the diet shifts
papers, that reducing
carbohydrate in the
diet shifts from a small,
dense pattern to a
carbohydrate in the diet
shifts from a small,
dense pattern to a
big, fluffy pattern.
From a small, dense
pattern to a big, fluffy
pattern. Having
an ldl that's 120 or
big, fluffy pattern.
Having an ldl that's
120 or 130 or 100 or
145 doesn't matter
having an ldl that's
120 or 130 or 100 or 145
doesn't matter as much
as the kind of ldl that
130 or 100 or 145 doesn't matter as
much as the kind of ldl that it is.
As much as the kind of ldl that it is.
If the numbers alone don't
it is. If the numbers alone don't
mean very much, then why does
if the numbers alone
don't mean very much,
then why does high
cholesterol get all the
mean very much, then why does high
cholesterol get all the blame?
High cholesterol get all the blame?
Research consistently shows that
blame? Research consistently shows
that smoking, elevated blood sugar,
research consistently shows
that smoking, elevated
blood sugar, and emotional
stress can cause
smoking, elevated blood
sugar, and emotional
stress can cause
inflammation, damage your
and emotional stress can
cause inflammation,
damage your arteries,
and lead to heart
inflammation, damage your arteries,
and lead to heart disease.
Arteries, and lead to heart disease.
They also happen to raise your
disease. They also happen
to raise your cholesterol.
They also happen to raise your cholesterol.
So, by blaming cholesterol for
cholesterol. So, by blaming cholesterol
for causing heart disease, the
so, by blaming cholesterol
for causing heart
disease, the experts
relied on logic that
causing heart disease, the experts relied
on logic that makes about as much sense as
experts relied on logic that makes
about as much sense as this.
Makes about as much sense as this.
In high-crime areas, there are
this. In high-crime areas, there
are more calls to the police.
In high-crime areas,
there are more calls to
the police. Therefore,
we can assume that
more calls to the police. Therefore, we can
assume that calling the police produces an
therefore, we can assume that calling the
police produces an increase in crime.
Calling the police produces an increase
in crime. To get rid of crime, the answer
increase in crime. To get rid of crime,
the answer is simple -- stop calling the
to get rid of crime, the answer is
simple -- stop calling the police.
Is simple -- stop calling the police.
But in spite of all the evidence
police. But in spite of all the
evidence that cholesterol is just an
but in spite of all the
evidence that cholesterol
is just an innocent
bystander, the experts
that cholesterol is just
an innocent bystander,
the experts keep trying
to bring it up on
innocent bystander, the experts keep
trying to bring it up on charges.
Keep trying to bring it up on charges.
In 1988, the surgeon general's
charges. In 1988, the surgeon
general's office set out to prove the
in 1988, the surgeon
general's office set out
to prove the lipid
hypothesis by reviewing
office set out to prove
the lipid hypothesis
by reviewing the data
from all the major
lipid hypothesis by
reviewing the data from
all the major studies,
but after 11 years and
the data from all the
major studies, but after
11 years and more than
$100 million, the
studies, but after 11
years and more than $100
million, the results
were not supporting the
more than $100 million,
the results were not
supporting the theory,
so they did what any
results were not supporting
the theory, so they
did what any dedicated
government researchers
theory, so they did what
any dedicated government
researchers would do
-- they shut down the
dedicated government
researchers would do --
they shut down the entire
project, saying it was
would do -- they shut
down the entire project,
saying it was becoming
too complicated.
Entire project, saying it was becoming too
complicated. And as Kendrick, taubes, and
becoming too complicated.
And as Kendrick,
taubes, and ravnskov
discovered, that's been
and as Kendrick, taubes,
and ravnskov discovered,
that's been a disturbingly
common pattern.
Ravnskov discovered,
that's been a disturbingly
common pattern. Researchers
routinely ignore
a disturbingly common pattern. Researchers
routinely ignore evidence that the lipid
researchers routinely ignore evidence
that the lipid hypothesis is wrong and
evidence that the lipid hypothesis is
wrong and sometimes even manipulate their
hypothesis is wrong
and sometimes even
manipulate their data
for the sole purpose of
sometimes even manipulate their data
for the sole purpose of supporting it.
Data for the sole purpose of supporting it.
What could possibly cause such
supporting it. What could possibly
cause such rampant dishonesty?
What could possibly cause such
rampant dishonesty?
Rampant dishonesty? In the 1970s, the lipid
In the 1970s, the lipid
hypothesis was still very much
in the 1970s, the lipid hypothesis
was still very much in dispute.
Hypothesis was still very much in dispute.
Then a senate committee headed
in dispute. Then a senate committee
headed by George mcgovern decided to
then a senate committee headed by George
mcgovern decided to settle the issue.
Mcgovern at the time
was following the
pritikin diet and believed
everyone should be
following the pritikin diet and believed
everyone should be cutting back on fat and
believed everyone should be cutting
back on fat and cholesterol.
The committee's original
report urged Americans
to reduce their risk
of heart attacks by
report urged Americans
to reduce their risk
of heart attacks by
reducing their intake of
their risk of heart attacks by reducing
their intake of cholesterol down to the
reducing their intake of cholesterol down
to the equivalent of about one egg a
cholesterol down to the equivalent of about
one egg a day, but doctors took issue with
equivalent of about one
egg a day, but doctors
took issue with that at
the hearing, saying that
day, but doctors took
issue with that at the
hearing, saying that eight
studies, involving 5,000
that at the hearing,
saying that eight studies,
involving 5,000 patients,
failed to show hard
eight studies, involving
5,000 patients, failed
to show hard medical
evidence that diet has
patients, failed to show
hard medical evidence
that diet has anything
to do with heart
medical evidence that diet has
anything to do with heart attacks.
Anything to do with heart attacks.
Hmm.
Attacks. Hmm. Let's
listen to that part again.
Hmm. Let's listen to that part again.
Eight studies, involving
let's listen to that part again.
Eight
studies, involving 5,000
patients, failed to show
eight studies,
involving 5,000 patients,
failed to show hard medical
evidence that diet
5,000 patients, failed
to show hard medical
evidence that diet has
anything to do with heart
hard medical evidence that diet has
anything to do with heart attacks.
I have pleaded in my
report and will plead again
orally here for more
research on the problem
and will plead again orally
here for more research
on the problem before we
make announcements to
for more research on the problem before we
make announcements to the American public.
You know, there were eminent scientists
at the time saying "this is nonsense.
Scientists at the time saying "this is
nonsense. There is no good scientific
"this is nonsense. There is no good
scientific evidence that either fat or
there is no good
scientific evidence that
either fat or cholesterol,
you know, is at the
evidence that either fat
or cholesterol, you
know, is at the root
of heart disease."
I said to the professor that I
was working with, "this is not
I was working with,
"this is not right.
Right. Animal fat's
not causing this,
animal fat's not causing this, and
this is not what the data says."
And this is not what the data
says." So the mcgovern staff did
says." So the mcgovern staff did
what any dedicated staff working
so the mcgovern staff
did what any dedicated
staff working for
mcgovern would do -- they
what any dedicated staff
working for mcgovern
would do -- they decided
those scientists must
for mcgovern would do
-- they decided those
scientists must have been
paid off by the big,
decided those scientists
must have been paid
off by the big, bad dairy
and egg industries.
Have been paid off by the
big, bad dairy and egg
industries. Well, I
would only argue that
bad dairy and egg industries.
Well, I would
only argue that senators
don't have the luxury
well, I would only
argue that senators don't
have the luxury that a
research scientist does
senators don't have the
luxury that a research
scientist does of waiting
until every last
that a research scientist does of waiting
until every last shred of evidence is in.
Of waiting until every
last shred of evidence
is in. They went
to great lengths to
shred of evidence is in.
They went to great
lengths to overlook
anything that did not
they went to great lengths
to overlook anything
that did not fall in
to lock step with that
overlook anything that
did not fall in to lock
step with that belief,
and basically just
fall in to lock step with that belief, and
basically just unleashed what amounted to a
belief, and basically
just unleashed what
amounted to a several-decade
long experiment
unleashed what amounted to a several-decade
long experiment in which all of us were
several-decade long experiment in which
all of us were unwitting participants.
The mcgovern committee's
report was written
by a young staff member
who happened to be
report was written by a young staff member
who happened to be a vegetarian and had no
staff member who happened
to be a vegetarian
and had no background
in medicine or health
a vegetarian and had no background
in medicine or health research.
The committee
recommended a low-fat,
low-cholesterol diet for
everyone and offered some
low-fat, low-cholesterol
diet for everyone and
offered some ideas
that could only spring
for everyone and offered
some ideas that could
only spring from the
mind of a politician.
But senator schweiker of Pennsylvania
suggested that instead of discrediting the
Pennsylvania suggested
that instead of
discrediting the committee's
report, the egg men
instead of discrediting
the committee's report,
the egg men should be
out developing hens
committee's report, the
egg men should be out
developing hens that would
lay low-cholesterol
should be out developing hens that
would lay low-cholesterol eggs.
That would lay low-cholesterol eggs.
Eggs.
Soon after the mcgovern
Soon after the
mcgovern report was issued, the usda got
soon after the mcgovern report was
issued, the usda got into the act.
Report was issued, the usda got into
the act. Carol Tucker-foreman, the
into the act. Carol Tucker-foreman,
the assistant secretary at the time,
Carol Tucker-foreman,
the assistant secretary
at the time, believed
in the low-fat diet
assistant secretary at
the time, believed in
the low-fat diet theory
and wanted to issue
believed in the low-fat diet theory and
wanted to issue official guidelines to tell
theory and wanted to issue official
guidelines to tell everybody how to eat.
Official guidelines to tell everybody how
to eat. To make sure she was on solid
everybody how to eat. To make sure she was
on solid scientific ground, she consulted
to make sure she was on
solid scientific ground,
she consulted with
Philip handler, the head
scientific ground, she
consulted with Philip
handler, the head of the
national academy of
with Philip handler, the head of
the national academy of sciences.
Of the national academy of sciences.
Just one little problem --
sciences. Just one little problem
-- handler told her the mcgovern
just one little problem
-- handler told her
the mcgovern committee's
report was nonsense,
handler told her the
mcgovern committee's report
was nonsense, so she
did what any dedicated
committee's report was
nonsense, so she did what
any dedicated government
official would do --
so she did what any dedicated
government official
would do -- she ignored
him, shopped around
government official would
do -- she ignored him,
shopped around for a
scientist who agreed with
she ignored him, shopped
around for a scientist
who agreed with her, then
issued the guidelines.
For a scientist who
agreed with her, then
issued the guidelines.
Thanks to a handful of
her, then issued the guidelines.
Thanks to a
handful of politicians
with no background
thanks to a handful of politicians with no
background in science, the heart-healthy
politicians with no
background in science,
the heart-healthy benefits
of a low-fat diet
in science, the heart-healthy benefits of
a low-fat diet became official government
benefits of a low-fat diet became official
government policy, and real scientists got
became official government
policy, and real
scientists got the message
loud and clear --
policy, and real scientists
got the message loud
and clear -- tell us
what we already believe,
the message loud and
clear -- tell us what we
already believe, or you
can say goodbye to your
tell us what we already
believe, or you can say
goodbye to your lucrative
government funding.
There is influence
that goes on, starting
with the usda, which
is promoting commodity
on, starting with the
usda, which is promoting
commodity agriculture,
so there is a lot
which is promoting
commodity agriculture, so
there is a lot of
economic pressure on the
agriculture, so there
is a lot of economic
pressure on the people
at nih, on the people in
of economic pressure on
the people at nih, on
the people in the
universities who carry out
people at nih, on
the people in the
universities who carry
out the studies for nih.
They live by their grants. No grants,
no work, no job. Dr. kilmer mccully, a
no grants, no work, no job. Dr. kilmer
mccully, a researcher at Harvard, went
Dr. kilmer mccully, a researcher at
Harvard, went against the prevailing theory
researcher at Harvard, went
against the prevailing
theory and published
a study concluding
against the prevailing
theory and published a
study concluding that
something other than
and published a study
concluding that something
other than cholesterol
was causing heart
that something other than cholesterol
was causing heart disease.
Cholesterol was causing heart disease.
His reward for this bit of
disease. His reward for this bit
of scientific integrity was to be
his reward for this bit
of scientific integrity
was to be denied
tenure, lose all his
scientific integrity was
to be denied tenure,
lose all his research
grants, and get shoved
denied tenure, lose all
his research grants,
and get shoved into a
little laboratory in the
research grants, and get shoved into
a little laboratory in the basement.
Into a little laboratory in the basement.
In academia, that's a polite way
basement. In academia, that's a
polite way of saying, "you're fired."
In academia, that's a polite way of saying,
"you're fired." He also ended up on an
of saying, "you're fired." He also ended
up on an unofficial blacklist, and it
he also ended up on an
unofficial blacklist,
and it took him
two years to find
unofficial blacklist, and it took him two
years to find another job as a researcher.
Took him two years to find another job as a
researcher. A lot of people have built
another job as a researcher.
A lot of people
have built careers on
this, and these are
a lot of people have
built careers on this,
and these are careers
built on a very shaky
careers on this, and these are careers
built on a very shaky factual foundation.
Careers built on a very shaky factual
foundation. There's a reasonable reason
factual foundation. There's a
reasonable reason to believe that from the
there's a reasonable
reason to believe that
from the beginning,
but to persist in the
to believe that from the beginning, but to
persist in the face of so much overwhelming
beginning, but to persist
in the face of so much
overwhelming evidence
really can't be based
face of so much overwhelming
evidence really
can't be based on
science, and you have to
evidence really can't be based on science,
and you have to think that there were other
on science, and you have to think that
there were other factors involved.
Think that there were other factors
involved. It became an industry.
Factors involved. It became an industry.
In the 1980s, the national
it became an industry. In the 1980s, the
national cholesterol education program
in the 1980s, the
national cholesterol
education program released
new guidelines that
cholesterol education program released new
guidelines that said everyone's cholesterol
released new guidelines
that said everyone's
cholesterol should be
below 200, which was
said everyone's cholesterol
should be below
200, which was about 20
points below normal.
Should be below 200, which was about 20
points below normal. And here's a strange
about 20 points below normal. And here's
a strange coincidence -- most of the
and here's a strange coincidence --
most of the scientists who wrote those
coincidence -- most
of the scientists who
wrote those guidelines
just happened to have
scientists who wrote
those guidelines just
happened to have a financial
relationship with
guidelines just happened
to have a financial
relationship with the
companies that make
a financial relationship with the companies
that make cholesterol-lowering drugs
the companies that make
cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins.
Cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins.
Many of the studies that claimed
called statins. Many of the studies that
claimed a low-fat diet is good for your
many of the studies
that claimed a low-fat
diet is good for your
heart were funded by the
a low-fat diet is good for your heart were
funded by the American heart association,
heart were funded by
the American heart
association, which earns
millions of dollars
American heart
association, which earns
millions of dollars
licensing its heart-check
which earns millions of
dollars licensing its
heart-check logo to
healthy, low-fat foods
licensing its heart-check logo to
healthy, low-fat foods like cocoa puffs.
Logo to healthy, low-fat foods like cocoa
puffs. If the lipid hypothesis ever
like cocoa puffs. If the lipid hypothesis
ever goes away, that logo just became
if the lipid hypothesis ever goes away,
that logo just became worthless.
Goes away, that logo just became worthless.
Give this another decade, and
worthless. Give this another decade,
and that hypothesis will be on the
give this another decade,
and that hypothesis
will be on the junk
pile of history because
that hypothesis will be on the junk
pile of history because it's not true.
Junk pile of history because it's not true.
Okay, so maybe the lipid
it's not true. Okay, so maybe
the lipid hypothesis isn't true.
Okay, so maybe the lipid
hypothesis isn't true. So what?
Hypothesis isn't true. So what?
What could possibly be wrong
so what? What could possibly be wrong
with cutting back on saturated
what could possibly be
wrong with cutting back
on saturated fat and
getting your cholesterol
with cutting back on
saturated fat and
getting your cholesterol
as low as possible?
Fat and getting your cholesterol as low
as possible? We now have this terrible
as low as possible? We now have this
terrible phobia of fat -- of animal fat
we now have this terrible phobia of fat
-- of animal fat which the body needs to be
phobia of fat -- of animal fat which the
body needs to be normal, to be healthy.
Which the body needs to be normal, to
be healthy. Your immune system is
normal, to be healthy. Your
immune system is fat-dependent.
Your immune system is fat-dependent.
Your brain is fat-dependent.
Fat-dependent. Your brain is fat-dependent.
Your skin, your hair, your
your brain is fat-dependent.
Your skin, your
hair, your nails --
all these things are
your skin, your hair, your nails --
all these things are fat-dependent.
Nails -- all these things are
fat-dependent. Your sex hormones are
fat-dependent. Your sex
hormones are fat-dependent, are
your sex hormones are fat-dependent,
are cholesterol-dependent.
Fat-dependent, are cholesterol-dependent.
They're made sort of on a
cholesterol-dependent. They're made
sort of on a cholesterol molecule.
They're made sort of on a cholesterol
molecule. If you are elderly, over the
cholesterol molecule.
If you are elderly,
over the age of 60,
and if you're a woman
if you are elderly,
over the age of 60, and if
you're a woman of any
age, the cholesterol is a
age of 60, and if you're
a woman of any age,
the cholesterol is a
complete non-issue.
Of any age, the cholesterol is a complete
non-issue. In fact, the higher your
complete non-issue. In fact, the higher
your cholesterol, the longer you
in fact, the higher your cholesterol, the
longer you live, and this shows up in study
cholesterol, the longer you live, and
this shows up in study after study.
Live, and this shows up in study after
study. And yet, in spite of those
after study. And yet, in spite
of those studies, drugs that lower
and yet, in spite of
those studies, drugs
that lower cholesterol
are being marketed
studies, drugs that lower cholesterol
are being marketed to women.
Cholesterol are being marketed to women.
But take a good look at that
to women. But take a good look
at that little disclaimer.
But take a good look at that little
disclaimer. If it doesn't prevent heart
little disclaimer. If it doesn't prevent
heart disease, why on earth would you
if it doesn't prevent heart disease, why on
earth would you take such a powerful drug?
Disease, why on earth would you take such a
powerful drug? There is absolutely no
take such a powerful drug?
There is
absolutely no benefit
for women of any age in
there is absolutely no benefit for
women of any age in taking statins.
Benefit for women of any age in taking
statins. I mean, statins are a waste of
taking statins. I mean, statins
are a waste of money for women.
I mean, statins are a waste of money for
women. There are some real problems
money for women. There are some real
problems with taking statins -- memory
there are some real problems with taking
statins -- memory loss, muscle problems,
with taking statins -- memory loss,
muscle problems, osteoporosis in women.
Loss, muscle problems, osteoporosis
in women. I mean, there are a lot of
osteoporosis in women. I mean, there are
a lot of reasons that you wouldn't want
I mean, there are a lot of reasons that
you wouldn't want to take statin drugs.
Reasons that you wouldn't want to take
statin drugs. And low cholesterol is a
to take statin drugs. And low
cholesterol is a predictor for depression,
and low cholesterol is a predictor for
depression, suicide, violent behavior,
predictor for depression, suicide,
violent behavior, strokes, and cancer.
Suicide, violent behavior, strokes, and
cancer. It's much better to have high
strokes, and cancer. It's much better
to have high cholesterol than lower
it's much better to have high
cholesterol than lower cholesterol.
Cholesterol than lower cholesterol.
Like most people, I love the
cholesterol. Like most people,
I love the taste of fat.
Like most people, I love the taste
of fat. Human beings can't live without
taste of fat. Human beings can't live
without protein, and in nature, protein
human beings can't live
without protein, and in
nature, protein is usually
surrounded with fat.
Protein, and in nature,
protein is usually
surrounded with fat. Maybe
mother nature actually
is usually surrounded with fat.
Maybe mother
nature actually knew
what she was doing.
Maybe mother nature actually knew what she
was doing. Maybe there's a reason low-fat
knew what she was doing. Maybe there's a
reason low-fat diets always made me feel
maybe there's a reason low-fat diets
always made me feel depressed.
Diets always made me feel depressed.
The brain is basically made
depressed. The brain
is basically made of fat.
The brain is basically made of fat.
They say you're a fat head.
Of fat. They say you're a fat head.
They were not kidding.
They say you're a fat head. They were not
kidding. And when you go on a diet that
they were not kidding. And when you go on a
diet that eliminates most fat, takes you
and when you go on a diet
that eliminates most
fat, takes you down to,
say, 10% of fat, you
eliminates most fat,
takes you down to, say,
10% of fat, you have
basically robbed the body
down to, say, 10% of
fat, you have basically
robbed the body of the
raw materials that are
have basically robbed
the body of the raw
materials that are necessary
for it to be happy.
Of the raw materials that are necessary for
it to be happy. There's probably no
necessary for it to be happy. There's
probably no coincidence that back a couple
there's probably no
coincidence that back
a couple of decades
ago, when the low-fat
coincidence that back a
couple of decades ago,
when the low-fat diet was
the real rage, if you
of decades ago, when the
low-fat diet was the
real rage, if you went
to bookstores, what you
diet was the real
rage, if you went to
bookstores, what you saw
is all these books on
went to bookstores, what
you saw is all these
books on low-fat
dieting, and you saw all
saw is all these books on low-fat dieting,
and you saw all these books on depression
low-fat dieting, and you
saw all these books
on depression because
everybody was depressed.
These books on depression
because everybody
was depressed. When
I load up on proteins
because everybody was depressed.
When I load
up on proteins and animal
fats, I don't feel
when I load up on
proteins and animal fats,
I don't feel hungry and
I do feel good, so
and animal fats, I don't
feel hungry and I do
feel good, so on this
diet, I'm ignoring the
hungry and I do feel good, so on
this diet, I'm ignoring the experts.
On this diet, I'm ignoring the experts.
Look at all that saturated fat.
This is my passover dinner
from Jack in the box.
From Jack in the box.
Sourdough chicken sandwich.
Here's the good
thing about being
middle-aged. Do I know
these sunglasses look
being middle-aged. Do I know these
sunglasses look ridiculous?
Do I know these sunglasses
look ridiculous? Yes.
Ridiculous? Yes. Do I care? No.
Yes. Do I care? No. My
2-year-old didn't feel like
do I care? No. My 2-year-old didn't feel
like sleeping last night, so I had to
my 2-year-old didn't feel
like sleeping last night,
so I had to get up with
her a few times, and
sleeping last night, so I
had to get up with her
a few times, and I ended
up sleeping in too late
get up with her a few times, and I ended
up sleeping in too late to get breakfast.
I ended up sleeping in too late to
get breakfast. That's the bad news.
To get breakfast. That's the bad news.
The good news is, it's gonna be
that's the bad news. The good news
is, it's gonna be a big lunch.
The good news is, it's gonna be a big
lunch. Welcome to Jack in the box.
A big lunch. Welcome to Jack in the box.
How can I help you?
Welcome to Jack in the box. How can I
help you? A bacon ultimate cheeseburger
how can I help you? A bacon ultimate
cheeseburger and a diet soda, please.
A bacon ultimate cheeseburger and a diet
soda, please. Medium diet coke, make that.
And a diet soda, please. Medium diet coke,
make that. A bacon ultimate cheeseburger
medium diet coke, make that.
A bacon
ultimate cheeseburger
and a medium diet coke?
A bacon ultimate cheeseburger and
a medium diet coke? That's right.
And a medium diet coke? That's right.
Please come to the next
that's right. Please
come to the next window.
Please come to the next window.
Go on a shopping trip at your
window. Go on a shopping trip at
your local natural-food store, and
go on a shopping
trip at your local
natural-food store, and
you'll find the shelves
local natural-food store, and you'll find
the shelves jam-packed with processed
you'll find the shelves jam-packed with
processed vegetable oils, but what exactly
jam-packed with processed vegetable oils,
but what exactly is natural about them?
Vegetable oils, but
what exactly is natural
about them? Would human
beings living in the
is natural about them?
Would human beings
living in the wild ever
consume oils that came
would human beings
living in the wild ever
consume oils that came
from soybeans or corn?
Wild ever consume oils
that came from soybeans
or corn? We've never
had these in the
from soybeans or corn?
We've never had
these in the human diet
in the history of the
we've never had these in the human
diet in the history of the world.
Human diet in the history of the world.
Where do you get fat from
world. Where do you
get fat from corn?
Where do you get fat from corn?
If you take corn and put it in a
corn? If you take corn and put it in
a thing and squeeze it, you don't
if you take corn and put
it in a thing and squeeze
it, you don't get corn
fat out of it, you
thing and squeeze it, you don't get corn
fat out of it, you don't get corn oil.
Get corn fat out of it, you don't get corn
oil. You've got to chemically extract
don't get corn oil.
You've got to chemically
extract the oil from
corn to get it.
You've got to chemically
extract the oil from
corn to get it.
Until that process was
the oil from corn to get it. Until that
process was developed, you didn't have all
until that process
was developed, you
didn't have all of these
vegetable -- soybean
developed, you didn't have
all of these vegetable
-- soybean oil and corn
oil and cottonseed
of these vegetable --
soybean oil and corn
oil and cottonseed oil
and all these things.
Oil and corn oil and cottonseed oil and all
these things. Humans didn't eat that stuff.
The studies that
came in on the corn oil
showed that it was a
disaster, that it caused
the corn oil showed that it was a
disaster, that it caused cancer.
A disaster, that it caused cancer.
If you gave carcinogens to rats
cancer. If you gave carcinogens to
rats who were fed corn oil, they
if you gave carcinogens to rats who were
fed corn oil, they developed cancer.
If the rats were fed coconut oil
or tallow, they didn't get cancer.
Or tallow, they didn't get cancer.
And it's not just cancer.
Cancer. And it's not just cancer.
After the experts convinced
and it's not just cancer.
After the experts
convinced millions of
Americans to switch
after the experts convinced millions of
Americans to switch from butter and lard to
millions of Americans to switch from butter
and lard to margarine and vegetable oils,
from butter and lard to margarine and
vegetable oils, heart disease went up.
Margarine and vegetable oils, heart
disease went up. How can that be?
Heart disease went up. How can that be?
After all, vegetable oils are
how can that be? After all, vegetable
oils are cholesterol free.
After all, vegetable oils are cholesterol
free. We, as humans, are not used
cholesterol free. We, as humans, are
not used to eating those fats in the
we, as humans, are
not used to eating
those fats in the
quantities that we've been
to eating those fats in the quantities
that we've been eating them.
Quantities that we've been eating them.
I mean, that's what's called an
eating them. I mean, that's
what's called an omega-6 fat.
I mean, that's what's called an
omega-6 fat. Omega-6 fats are
omega-6 fat. Omega-6 fats are
pro-inflammatory -- they cause
omega-6 fats are pro-inflammatory
-- they cause inflammation.
Pro-inflammatory -- they cause
inflammation. We need some of them, but we
inflammation. We need some of them, but
we don't need a whole lot of them.
We need some of them, but
we don't need a whole
lot of them. But we
do eat a whole lot of
don't need a whole lot of them.
But we do eat
a whole lot of them, and
those unnatural fats
but we do eat a whole
lot of them, and those
unnatural fats can cause
the inflammation that
them, and those unnatural
fats can cause the
inflammation that leads
to heart disease,
can cause the inflammation
that leads to
heart disease, especially
the most unnatural
leads to heart disease, especially the
most unnatural fat of all -- partially
especially the most unnatural fat of all
-- partially hydrogenated vegetable oils,
fat of all -- partially
hydrogenated vegetable
oils, otherwise known
as trans fats.
Hydrogenated vegetable
oils, otherwise known
as trans fats. It
gives you the cooking
otherwise known as trans fats. It gives
you the cooking properties you need, the
it gives you the cooking properties you
need, the flakiness in biscuits and the
properties you need, the flakiness in
biscuits and the chewiness in bread and the
flakiness in biscuits
and the chewiness in
bread and the things
that you look for from a
chewiness in bread and
the things that you
look for from a saturated
fat, but it doesn't
things that you look for
from a saturated fat,
but it doesn't behave as
a saturated fat in the
saturated fat, but it doesn't behave
as a saturated fat in the body.
Behave as a saturated fat in the body.
And the body actually will take
body. And the body actually will
take it out very readily and pack it
and the body actually will
take it out very readily
and pack it into the
cell membranes, which
it out very readily and
pack it into the cell
membranes, which then
become stiff and inflexible
into the cell membranes,
which then become
stiff and inflexible and
can't do their job.
Then become stiff and
inflexible and can't do
their job. The center
for science in the
and can't do their job.
The center for
science in the public
interest recently filed a
the center for science
in the public interest
recently filed a lawsuit
against kfc for using
public interest recently
filed a lawsuit against
kfc for using trans fats
to fry chicken, and
lawsuit against kfc for
using trans fats to fry
chicken, and pretty much
everyone agrees that
trans fats to fry chicken,
and pretty much everyone
agrees that trans fats
are bad news, so why
pretty much everyone
agrees that trans fats are
bad news, so why do the
restaurants even use
trans fats are bad news, so why
do the restaurants even use them?
Do the restaurants even use them?
The old McDonald's French
them? The old McDonald's French
fries, for example, were cooked
the old McDonald's
French fries, for
example, were cooked in
beef tallow, which is a
fries, for example, were
cooked in beef tallow,
which is a saturated
fat that's got lots of
in beef tallow, which is a saturated fat
that's got lots of stearic acid in it.
Saturated fat that's got lots of stearic
acid in it. Stearic acid is a long-chain
stearic acid in it. Stearic acid is a
long-chain saturated fat that's been shown
stearic acid is a long-chain
saturated fat that's
been shown to actually
either lower or have
saturated fat that's
been shown to actually
either lower or have no
effect on cholesterol.
To actually either lower
or have no effect
on cholesterol. It's a
pretty innocuous fat.
No effect on cholesterol. It's a
pretty innocuous fat. They had very
it's a pretty innocuous fat. They had
very well-publicized, very carefully
they had very well-publicized, very
carefully orchestrated protests outside of
well-publicized, very
carefully orchestrated
protests outside of
McDonald's and the other
orchestrated protests outside of
McDonald's and the other fast-food chains.
McDonald's and the other fast-food chains.
Took out petitions and went
fast-food chains. Took out petitions
and went after them, and they made them
took out petitions and went after
them, and they made them change.
After them, and they made them change.
And what they made them change
change. And what they made them
change to, of course, was partially
and what they made them
change to, of course,
was partially hydrogenated
vegetable fat.
To, of course, was
partially hydrogenated
vegetable fat. And he
came up with one of his
hydrogenated vegetable fat.
And he came up with
one of his papers which
said, "trans fatty
and he came up with one
of his papers which said,
"trans fatty acids --
not guilty as charged,"
papers which said, "trans
fatty acids -- not
guilty as charged," and
distributed all of this.
Acids -- not guilty as
charged," and distributed
all of this. He was the
head of the cspi, and
and distributed all of this.
He was the head of
the cspi, and they're
still in their journals.
He was the head of the
cspi, and they're still in
their journals. In other
words, all you have to
they're still in their journals.
In other words,
all you have to do is go
take a look at it, and
in other words, all you
have to do is go take a
look at it, and they said,
"trans fatty acids --
do is go take a look
at it, and they said,
"trans fatty acids --
not guilty as charged."
They said, "trans fatty acids -- not guilty
as charged." So, their big jihad to get
not guilty as charged." So, their big
jihad to get rid of saturated fat ended up
so, their big jihad
to get rid of saturated
fat ended up making
everybody switch to trans
rid of saturated fat ended up making
everybody switch to trans fats.
Making everybody switch to trans fats.
Somebody evidently said to
fats. Somebody evidently
said to them, "you're wrong.
Somebody evidently said to them, "you're
wrong. There's something wrong with the
them, "you're wrong. There's something
wrong with the trans fatty acids."
There's something wrong with the trans
fatty acids." And they did an about-face.
Now the same group,
the cspi, is going after
people for using trans
fats, and they're only
is going after people
for using trans fats,
and they're only using
the trans fats because
trans fats, and they're
only using the trans
fats because they went
after them for using
using the trans fats
because they went after
them for using the saturated
fats in the first
the saturated fats
in the first place.
Place. And they
lied, and they said,
and they lied, and they said,
"oh, we've been telling you all
"oh, we've been telling you all
along that the trans fatty acids
along that the trans fatty acids were a
problem." And they just simply lied.
Were a problem." And they just simply lied.
Apparently, believing that
and they just simply lied.
Apparently,
believing that people
were basing their diets
apparently, believing that people were
basing their diets on $10 buckets of movie
people were basing their
diets on $10 buckets
of movie popcorn, cspi
scared people away
on $10 buckets of movie
popcorn, cspi scared
people away from a
perfectly natural,
popcorn, cspi scared people away from
a perfectly natural, healthy fat.
The study found 70%
of all theaters tested
still popping with
high-fat coconut oil.
Theaters tested still popping with high-fat
coconut oil. The scare was invented by
with high-fat coconut oil.
The scare was
invented by center for
science in the public
the scare was invented
by center for science
in the public interest,
who, by their own
center for science in the
public interest, who,
by their own admission,
was being supported
interest, who, by their own admission,
was being supported by the soy industry.
Admission, was being supported by the soy
industry. It's a saturated fat, but
by the soy industry. It's a saturated
fat, but it's a good kind of saturated
it's a saturated fat, but it's
a good kind of saturated fat.
It's a good kind of saturated fat.
It's got lauric acid in it,
fat. It's got lauric acid in
it, which is a good sort of
it's got lauric acid in it, which is a good
sort of immune-enhancing saturated fat.
Which is a good sort
of immune-enhancing
saturated fat. I mean,
there's nothing in the
immune-enhancing saturated fat.
I mean, there's
nothing in the world
wrong with coconut oil.
I mean, there's nothing in the world wrong
with coconut oil. They wanted the movie
world wrong with coconut oil. They
wanted the movie theaters to use partially
they wanted the movie theaters to
use partially hydrogenated soybean oil
theaters to use partially hydrogenated
soybean oil instead of coconut oil.
Hydrogenated soybean oil instead of coconut
oil. And what does it get replaced
instead of coconut oil. And
what does it get replaced with?
And what does it get replaced with?
Trans fats that are much worse.
With? Trans fats that are much worse.
Thanks to the experts, the
trans fats that are much worse.
Thanks to
the experts, the
politicians, and the radical
thanks to the experts,
the politicians, and
the radical vegetarian
nutcases, we've been
politicians, and the
radical vegetarian
nutcases, we've been
scared away from perfectly
vegetarian nutcases,
we've been scared away
from perfectly natural
animal fats that kept us
scared away from perfectly
natural animal fats
that kept us healthy
for millions of years.
Natural animal fats that
kept us healthy for
millions of years. We
scared men away from
healthy for millions of years.
We scared men
away from saturated
fat, which helps to
we scared men away from
saturated fat, which
helps to produce
testosterone, and now we
saturated fat, which helps to produce
testosterone, and now we take Viagra.
Produce testosterone, and now we take
Viagra. We scared parents into giving
take Viagra. We scared parents into
giving their kids skim milk while their
we scared parents into
giving their kids skim
milk while their brains
are growing, and now
their kids skim milk while their brains are
growing, and now we've got kids who can't
brains are growing, and now we've got kids
who can't concentrate and take drugs for
we've got kids who can't concentrate
and take drugs for a.D.D.
Concentrate and take drugs for a.D.D.
And worse, the experts convinced
a.D.D. And worse, the experts convinced
us to switch to highly processed
and worse, the experts
convinced us to switch to
highly processed and
completely unnatural fats
us to switch to highly
processed and completely
unnatural fats that cause
inflammation, weaken
and completely unnatural
fats that cause
inflammation, weaken our
cells, and make us sick.
That cause inflammation,
weaken our cells, and
make us sick. This was
all being pushed and
our cells, and make us sick.
This was all
being pushed and
advocated by people that
this was all being pushed and advocated
by people that Americans trusted -- by our
advocated by people that Americans trusted
-- by our government, by people wearing
Americans trusted -- by our government, by
people wearing white coats, scientists and
government, by people wearing white
coats, scientists and doctors.
White coats, scientists and doctors.
And they were wrong.
Doctors. And they were wrong.
They were simply wrong, and we
and they were wrong.
They were simply wrong,
and we are reaping
the whirlwind of the
they were simply wrong, and we are reaping
the whirlwind of the consequences today.
What are you doing? Well, I thought
people would want to hear the details on
well, I thought people
would want to hear
the details on exactly
how this diet is
want to hear the details on exactly how
this diet is affecting our sex life.
Exactly how this diet is affecting our
sex life. I was kind of hoping you could
affecting our sex life. I was kind
of hoping you could talk about that.
I was kind of hoping you could talk
about that. Are you a moron?
Talk about that. Are you a moron?
Sugar, sugar makes me want to be
with you when I see you, my dreams come
makes me want to be with you when
I see you, my dreams come true
when I see you, my dreams come true
the rise in heart disease and
true the rise in heart disease
and especially the rise in obesity
the rise in heart
disease and especially the
rise in obesity and
diabetes is very clearly
especially the rise in
obesity and diabetes
is very clearly about
one thing -- it's about
and diabetes is very clearly about one
thing -- it's about carbohydrates.
About one thing -- it's
about carbohydrates.
That's the big problem that
carbohydrates. That's the big problem
that all these low-fat people have
that's the big
problem that all these
low-fat people have had
with the low-fat diet
all these low-fat people have had with the
low-fat diet because a low-fat diet is a
had with the low-fat diet because a low-fat
diet is a high-carbohydrate diet, okay,
because a low-fat diet
is a high-carbohydrate
diet, okay, 'cause
you've got to eat
high-carbohydrate diet, okay, 'cause
you've got to eat something, and fat and
'cause you've got to eat something,
and fat and carbohydrate are kind of
something, and fat and carbohydrate
are kind of inversely proportional.
Carbohydrate are kind of inversely
proportional. When one goes down, the other
inversely proportional. When one
goes down, the other goes up.
When one goes down, the other goes up.
Which is exactly what the
goes up. Which is exactly
what the experts told us to do.
Which is exactly what the experts told
us to do. The usda food pyramid recommends
experts told us to do.
The usda food pyramid
recommends a low-fat
diet that includes up
the usda food pyramid
recommends a low-fat diet
that includes up to 11
servings per day of
a low-fat diet that includes up
to 11 servings per day of grains.
To 11 servings per day of grains.
To be based on grains is not
grains. To be based on grains is
not the native diet for any mammal.
To be based on grains
is not the native
diet for any mammal.
There's only one group of
the native diet for any mammal.
There's only
one group of animals
that lives well on
there's only one group of animals that
lives well on grains, and that's birds.
Animals that lives well on grains, and
that's birds. You know, the usda food
grains, and that's birds. You know, the
usda food pyramid is more about selling
you know, the usda
food pyramid is more
about selling agricultural
products than it is
pyramid is more about selling agricultural
products than it is about selling health.
They're totally committed to what can be
sold in the commodity markets, so that's
what can be sold in the commodity markets,
so that's wheat, corn, soybeans, sugar.
A few years ago, I went back and pulled
some labels off of feed sacks in a farmers'
and pulled some labels off of feed sacks in
a farmers' co-op and ran them through my
feed sacks in a farmers' co-op and ran them
through my little nutritional computer, and
co-op and ran them through
my little nutritional
computer, and there's
virtually no difference
little nutritional computer,
and there's virtually
no difference in the
macronutrient composition
there's virtually no difference
in the macronutrient
composition that farmers
use to feed animals
in the macronutrient
composition that farmers use
to feed animals to fatten
them up and that the
that farmers use to feed
animals to fatten them
up and that the usda
uses to tell us how to
to fatten them up and that the usda uses
to tell us how to supposedly slim down.
Usda uses to tell us how to supposedly
slim down. In the 1990s, the food and
supposedly slim down. In the 1990s, the
food and drug administration decided it
in the 1990s, the food
and drug administration
decided it was time
to help us slim down,
drug administration decided it was time to
help us slim down, so they ordered food
was time to help us slim down, so they
ordered food manufacturers to adopt a
so they ordered food manufacturers to
adopt a standardized nutrition label
manufacturers to adopt a standardized
nutrition label that includes recommended
standardized nutrition label that
includes recommended servings of protein,
that includes recommended servings
of protein, carbohydrates, and fat.
Servings of protein, carbohydrates, and
fat. Fda commissioner David Kessler
carbohydrates, and fat.
Fda commissioner
David Kessler said it
was the most important
fda commissioner David
Kessler said it was the
most important battle
for public health he'd
said it was the most important battle
for public health he'd ever waged.
Battle for public health he'd ever waged.
Stories in the media were full
ever waged. Stories in the media were
full of happy predictions about how
stories in the media
were full of happy
predictions about how much
smarter Americans were
of happy predictions
about how much smarter
Americans were going to
eat thanks to all that
much smarter Americans were going to eat
thanks to all that good government advice.
Going to eat thanks to all that good
government advice. And since then...
Well, maybe we're not following
those guidelines, or maybe we are.
Those guidelines, or maybe we are.
The nutrition label the fda made
are. The nutrition label the fda
made everybody adopt recommends 300
the nutrition label the
fda made everybody adopt
recommends 300
carbohydrates per day on a
everybody adopt recommends
300 carbohydrates
per day on a 2,000-calorie diet.
Carbohydrates per day on a 2,000-calorie
diet. If you ate four cups of
2,000-calorie diet. If you ate four cups
of broccoli, three cups of spinach,
if you ate four cups of
broccoli, three cups
of spinach, two cups
of peas, five carrots,
broccoli, three cups of
spinach, two cups of
peas, five carrots, and
two apples, you would
two cups of peas,
five carrots, and two
apples, you would consume
about 100 grams of
and two apples, you would consume
about 100 grams of carbohydrate.
Consume about 100 grams of carbohydrate.
So how do you get to 300?
Carbohydrate. So how do you get to 300?
It would take a lot of
so how do you get to 300? It would take
a lot of cauliflower and broccoli and
it would take a lot
of cauliflower and
broccoli and cabbage and
those kind of things
cauliflower and broccoli
and cabbage and those
kind of things to ever
get you to 300 grams of
cabbage and those kind of things to ever
get you to 300 grams of carbohydrate.
To ever get you to 300 grams of
carbohydrate. You can do it with starch.
Carbohydrate. You can do it with starch.
You can do it, you know, with
you can do it with starch.
You can do it,
you know, with potatoes,
which are basically a
you can do it, you know, with potatoes,
which are basically a pure starch.
Potatoes, which are basically a pure
starch. You can do it with a whole lot
pure starch. You can do it with a whole
lot of corn or rice, but those are
you can do it with a whole lot of corn or
rice, but those are really starchy foods.
Of corn or rice, but
those are really starchy
foods. And the starch
in those breaks
really starchy foods.
And the starch in those
breaks down in the g.I.
Tract basically
and the starch in those breaks down
in the g.I. Tract basically to sugar.
Down in the g.I. Tract basically to sugar.
The speed at which a
to sugar. The speed at which
a particular food raises your
the speed at which a particular food
raises your blood sugar is measured by
particular food raises your blood sugar is
measured by something known as the glycemic
blood sugar is measured by something
known as the glycemic index.
Something known as the glycemic index.
Table sugar has a glycemic index
table sugar has a
glycemic index of 64.
Of 64. Coca-Cola has
a glycemic index
Coca-Cola has a
glycemic index of 63.
Of 63. The foods we
ate for millions of
the foods we ate for millions
of years almost all had a low
years almost all had a
low glycemic index.
Glycemic index. So, what
about all those whole
so, what about all those whole
grains the experts tell us
grains the experts tell us should be the
foundation of a healthy human diet?
Should be the foundation of a healthy human
diet? Raisin bran has a glycemic index
healthy human diet? Raisin bran
has a glycemic index of 61.
Raisin bran has a glycemic index of 61.
Shredded wheat logs in at 67,
of 61. Shredded wheat logs in at 67,
which means it spikes your blood
shredded wheat logs in
at 67, which means it
spikes your blood sugar
faster than sugar does.
Which means it spikes
your blood sugar faster
than sugar does. And
depending on the brand,
sugar faster than sugar does.
And depending on
the brand, whole-wheat
bread raises the bar
and depending on the brand, whole-wheat
bread raises the bar to around 70.
Whole-wheat bread raises the
bar to around 70. Sugar
to around 70. Sugar so,
whether they intended to
sugar so, whether they intended
to or not, the fda and usda are
so, whether they intended to or not, the
fda and usda are telling you to load up on
or not, the fda and usda are telling you
to load up on sugar...And lots of it.
Telling you to load up on sugar...And lots
of it. The amount of blood sugar in
sugar...And lots of it.
The amount of blood
sugar in your blood
if you have a normal
the amount of blood
sugar in your blood if you
have a normal blood sugar
is a little bit less
your blood if you have a normal blood sugar
is a little bit less than one teaspoon.
Blood sugar is a little bit less than one
teaspoon. 300 grams of carb that comes as
than one teaspoon. 300 grams of carb that
comes as potato or pasta -- even if it's
300 grams of carb that
comes as potato or pasta
-- even if it's whole-grain
pasta or whole-grain
potato or pasta -- even
if it's whole-grain pasta
or whole-grain bread,
that converts to a cup
whole-grain pasta or whole-grain bread,
that converts to a cup and a half of sugar.
Bread, that converts to a cup and a half
of sugar. If you were to put a cup and a
and a half of sugar. If you were to put a
cup and a half of sugar directly into your
if you were to put a cup
and a half of sugar
directly into your
blood, you'd be dead.
Half of sugar directly into your blood,
you'd be dead. Your blood sugar would go
blood, you'd be dead. Your
blood sugar would go sky-high.
Your blood sugar would go sky-high.
Since high blood sugar can
sky-high. Since high blood sugar
can kill you, your body has to bring
since high blood sugar
can kill you, your
body has to bring it
down, and that's how
kill you, your body has to bring it down,
and that's how metabolic syndrome begins.
Most of us think we
only put fat in our fat
cells when we eat too
much, but, as Gary taubes
in our fat cells when we
eat too much, but, as
Gary taubes explains
in "good calories, bad
much, but, as Gary taubes explains in "good
calories, bad calories," your fat cells are
calories," your fat cells are
like rechargeable fuel cells.
Like rechargeable fuel cells.
Every time you eat, your store
every time you eat,
your store some fat.
Some fat. In between
meals, fat comes out
in between meals, fat comes out
of your fat cells to provide the
of your fat cells to provide the
fuel for your muscles and organs.
Fuel for your muscles and organs.
If you're naturally thin, it's
organs. If you're naturally thin,
it's because you have efficient fat
because you have
efficient fat cells.
Cells. Fat goes in
quickly, and it
fat goes in quickly, and
it comes out easily.
Comes out easily. Your
body doesn't need much fat
your body doesn't need much fat
because the little bit of fat
because the little bit of fat you
do have is a reliable source
you do have is a
reliable source of fuel.
Of fuel. If you're
predisposed to be fat,
if you're predisposed to be fat,
it's because you have greedy fat
it's because you have
greedy fat cells.
Cells. When you eat,
you tend to store
when you eat, you tend to store
calories as fat instead of
calories as fat instead of
burning them, and when your
burning them, and when your
other tissues need those
other tissues need those
calories, the fat comes out
calories, the fat comes out
slowly if it comes out at all.
Slowly if it comes out at all.
What are they doing?
What are they doing? Did
one of you guys forget to
did one of you guys
forget to pay the food bill?
Pay the food bill? Are
you going to eat all that?
Are you going to eat all that?
The end user of food that we
the end user of food that we
eat are our individual cells.
Eat are our individual cells.
It doesn't matter if it goes in
it doesn't matter if
it goes in our mouth.
Our mouth. If it doesn't get
to those cells, we starve.
Cells, we starve. We starve
at the cellular level.
We starve at the cellular level.
And so you do exactly what
and so you do exactly what
your body is telling you to do.
Your body is telling you to do.
Come on! Eat something!
Come on! Eat something! Eat a
steak, will ya? You eat more.
Eat a steak, will ya? You eat more.
In other words, you're not
you eat more. In other words,
you're not getting fat because you're
in other words, you're
not getting fat because
you're eating more,
you're eating more
getting fat because you're
eating more, you're
eating more because
you're getting fat.
Eating more, you're eating
more because you're
getting fat. Remember,
mother nature isn't
because you're getting fat. Remember,
mother nature isn't stupid.
Remember, mother nature isn't stupid.
If your fat cells are slow to
stupid. If your fat cells are slow
to release their fuel, your body
if your fat cells are slow to release their
fuel, your body actually works to make them
release their fuel, your body
actually works to make them bigger.
Actually works to make them bigger.
And they keep on getting bigger
bigger. And they keep on getting
bigger until they can release the
and they keep on getting
bigger until they
can release the energy
that your body needs.
Until they can release
the energy that your
body needs. That could
mean gaining a little
energy that your body needs.
That could mean
gaining a little weight,
or it could mean gaining
that could mean gaining a little weight,
or it could mean gaining a lot.
Weight, or it could mean gaining a lot.
It all depends on how slowly
a lot. It all depends on how slowly
your fat cells release their
it all depends on how slowly your
fat cells release their fat.
Your fat cells release their fat.
Most of us weren't born with
fat. Most of us weren't born with
greedy fat cells, but we can
most of us weren't born
with greedy fat cells,
but we can certainly
make them that way.
Greedy fat cells, but we can certainly
make them that way. When you eat too many
certainly make them that way. When you eat
too many carbohydrates, you raise your
when you eat too many carbohydrates,
you raise your blood sugar.
Carbohydrates, you raise your blood sugar.
Since high blood sugar is toxic,
blood sugar. Since high blood sugar is
toxic, your body releases Insulin to
since high blood sugar is toxic, your
body releases Insulin to bring it down.
Your body releases Insulin to bring it
down. But your body can only burn a
bring it down. But your body can only
burn a little bit of sugar at a time.
But your body can only
burn a little bit of sugar
at a time. So, what
happens to the rest of
little bit of sugar at a time. So,
what happens to the rest of it?
So, what happens to the rest of it?
Your storage sites for
it? Your storage sites for
carbohydrate are limited, and
your storage sites for carbohydrate are
limited, and we've got unlimited storage
carbohydrate are limited, and we've
got unlimited storage places for fat.
We've got unlimited storage places for fat.
So the body ends up just
places for fat. So the body ends up
just converting the carbohydrate to
so the body ends up just converting
the carbohydrate to fat.
Converting the carbohydrate to fat.
And after bringing down your
fat. And after bringing down
your blood sugar, Insulin does its
and after bringing down your blood
sugar, Insulin does its other job.
Blood sugar, Insulin does its other job.
It tells your body to store fat.
Other job. It tells your body to store fat.
Insulin stimulates an enzyme
it tells your body to store fat.
Insulin
stimulates an enzyme called
lipoprotein lipase that
Insulin stimulates an
enzyme called lipoprotein
lipase that sends fat
into the fat cells.
Called lipoprotein lipase
that sends fat into
the fat cells. So if
Insulin is elevated, this
sends fat into the fat cells.
So if Insulin is
elevated, this lipoprotein
lipase is really
so if Insulin is elevated,
this lipoprotein
lipase is really activated,
and it's sending fat
lipoprotein lipase is
really activated, and
it's sending fat like
crazy into the fat cells.
Activated, and it's sending fat like crazy
into the fat cells. So if you eat a lot of
like crazy into the fat cells.
So if you eat
a lot of carbohydrates,
your Insulin goes
so if you eat a lot of carbohydrates, your
Insulin goes up, you're storing fat in the
carbohydrates, your Insulin goes up,
you're storing fat in the fat cell.
Up, you're storing fat in the fat cell.
When you have a healthy
fat cell. When you have a healthy
metabolism, it only takes a
when you have a healthy metabolism, it
only takes a little bit of Insulin to bring
metabolism, it only takes
a little bit of Insulin
to bring your blood
sugar down, and then
little bit of Insulin to
bring your blood sugar
down, and then everything
goes back to normal.
Your blood sugar down,
and then everything goes
back to normal. But over
time, that can change.
Everything goes back to normal.
But over time,
that can change.
The cells can become
but over time, that can change.
The cells
can become resistant
to the effects of
the cells can become resistant
to the effects of Insulin.
Resistant to the effects of Insulin.
In essence, when that happens,
Insulin. In essence, when that
happens, Insulin is talking, but the
in essence, when that
happens, Insulin is
talking, but the cells
just aren't listening.
Insulin is talking, but the cells just
aren't listening. And so they don't get the
cells just aren't listening. And so they
don't get the message from Insulin, so they
and so they don't get the
message from Insulin,
so they don't do what
they're supposed
message from Insulin, so they don't
do what they're supposed to do.
Don't do what they're supposed to do.
Hello?
To do. Hello?
Stop hitting me.
Hello? Stop hitting me.
I'm not hitting you.
Stop hitting me. I'm not hitting you.
Stop hitting me.
I'm not hitting you. Stop hitting me.
I'm not hitting you.
Stop hitting me. I'm not hitting you.
And so your body does what it
I'm not hitting you. And so
your body does what it has to do.
And so your body does what it has to do.
It starts producing more
has to do. It starts
producing more Insulin.
It starts producing more Insulin.
You finally reach the point
Insulin. You finally reach the
point to where your Insulin is high
you finally reach the
point to where your
Insulin is high just to
keep your sugar normal,
to where your Insulin is
high just to keep your
sugar normal, even if
you're not eating any
just to keep your sugar normal, even
if you're not eating any sugar.
Even if you're not eating any sugar.
And then, when that happens,
sugar. And then, when that happens,
then it's starting to drive
and then, when that happens, then it's
starting to drive stuff into the fat cells.
Then it's starting to drive stuff into the
fat cells. And then you've reach this point
stuff into the fat cells.
And then you've reach
this point where, all
of a sudden -- bam --
and then you've reach this point where,
all of a sudden -- bam -- you get fat.
Where, all of a sudden -- bam -- you get
fat. And you get fat even though
you get fat. And you get fat even
though you're eating the same number of
and you get fat even
though you're eating the
same number of calories
you always did, because
you're eating the same
number of calories you
always did, because now you
have greedy fat cells.
Calories you always did,
because now you have
greedy fat cells. So you
do what the experts have
now you have greedy fat cells. So you do
what the experts have always told us to do.
So you do what the experts have always told
us to do. You go on a low-fat, low-calorie
always told us to do. You go on a low-fat,
low-calorie diet so you can burn your own
you go on a low-fat, low-calorie diet so
you can burn your own body fat for fuel.
Diet so you can burn your own body fat
for fuel. Just one little problem --
body fat for fuel. Just one little
problem -- if too many carbohydrates are
just one little problem
-- if too many
carbohydrates are keeping
your Insulin high, the
if too many carbohydrates
are keeping your Insulin
high, the Insulin is
telling your body to
keeping your Insulin high,
the Insulin is telling
your body to store the
fat instead of burning
Insulin is telling your body to store
the fat instead of burning it.
Store the fat instead of burning it.
Now you're really starving
it. Now you're really
starving inside.
Now you're really starving inside.
...All that for yourself for?
Inside. ...All that for yourself for?
Come on, you big dick, what do
...all that for yourself for?
Come on, you
big dick, what do you
think you're doing?
Come on, you big dick, what do you think
you're doing? What's the matter with you?
You think you're doing? What's the
matter with you? I'm hungry down here.
So, once again, your body does what it
has to do. It slows down your metabolism.
Does what it has to do. It slows down
your metabolism. You stop losing weight.
It slows down your metabolism.
You stop
losing weight. You get
tired, and then you do
you stop losing weight. You get tired, and
then you do things like drive around the
you get tired, and then
you do things like drive
around the parking lot,
looking for a close
things like drive around the parking
lot, looking for a close parking space.
So, you know, so many
of my patients come in
following that advice,
where they say, "well, I
patients come in following
that advice, where they
say, "well, I know it
can't be about my diet,
advice, where they say,
"well, I know it can't be
about my diet, because
I'm eating a good diet."
Know it can't be about my
diet, because I'm eating
a good diet." And I
say, "what did you have
because I'm eating a
good diet." And I say,
"what did you have for
breakfast this morning?"
And I say, "what did you have for breakfast
this morning?" And they say, "well, I ate a
for breakfast this
morning?" And they say,
"well, I ate a bowl of
special k, and I used
and they say, "well, I ate a bowl of
special k, and I used low-fat milk.
Bowl of special k, and I used low-fat milk.
And then I had two pieces of
low-fat milk. And then I had two
pieces of whole-wheat toast."
And then I had two pieces of whole-wheat
toast." And to break your fast in the
whole-wheat toast." And to break your
fast in the morning with all of that
and to break your fast
in the morning with
all of that Insulin-producing,
high-glycemic
morning with all of that Insulin-producing,
high-glycemic diet is gonna shut down your
Insulin-producing, high-glycemic diet is
gonna shut down your metabolism and is the
diet is gonna shut down your metabolism
and is the prescription for making you
metabolism and is the
prescription for making you fat.
Prescription for making you fat.
And then they end up being,
fat. And then they end up being,
in most cases, larger than they
and then they end up
being, in most cases,
larger than they were
when they started out,
in most cases, larger
than they were when they
started out, with a
lower metabolic rate.
Were when they started
out, with a lower
metabolic rate. And
it frustrates so many
with a lower metabolic rate.
And it
frustrates so many people
because they do it
and it frustrates so many people because
they do it and they fail, and then they
people because they do it and they
fail, and then they think they failed.
And they fail, and then they think
they failed. And they didn't fail.
Think they failed. And they didn't fail.
The diet failed.
And they didn't fail. The diet failed.
The next time you feel like
the next time you feel like
indulging in the usual prejudice
indulging in the usual
prejudice against fat
people, here's something
to keep in mind.
Against fat people, here's something to
keep in mind. My wife has always been thin,
something to keep in mind.
My wife has always
been thin, and she's
the first to admit it
my wife has always been thin, and she's the
first to admit it has nothing to do with
and she's the first to admit it has
nothing to do with discipline.
Has nothing to do with discipline.
When she and I sit down for a
discipline. When she and I sit down
for a meal, we both do exactly the
when she and I sit down
for a meal, we both do
exactly the same thing
-- we eat until we're
meal, we both do exactly the same thing
-- we eat until we're not hungry anymore.
Same thing -- we eat until we're not hungry
anymore. I got fat and stayed fat because
not hungry anymore. I
got fat and stayed fat
because I was living
on foods that told
I got fat and stayed fat
because I was living on
foods that told my body
to store the calories in
I was living on foods that
told my body to store
the calories in my fat
cells, which just made me
my body to store the calories in my fat
cells, which just made me hungrier.
My fat cells, which just made me hungrier.
In some people, the fat cells
hungrier. In some people, the fat
cells and the other tissues become
in some people, the fat
cells and the other
tissues become
Insulin-resistant at about the
and the other tissues become
Insulin-resistant at about the same rate.
Insulin-resistant at about the same rate.
The good news is, they don't
same rate. The good news is,
they don't gain weight.
The good news is, they don't gain weight.
The bad news is, Insulin
gain weight. The bad news is, Insulin
resistance can kill you even if
the bad news is, Insulin resistance
can kill you even if you're skinny.
Resistance can kill you even if you're
skinny. Demanding of your pancreas
you're skinny. Demanding of your
pancreas that it produce ever-greater
demanding of your
pancreas that it produce
ever-greater amounts of
Insulin to keep your
that it produce ever-greater
amounts of Insulin
to keep your blood sugar
normal is ultimately
amounts of Insulin to
keep your blood sugar
normal is ultimately going
to cause what's caused
blood sugar normal is ultimately going to
cause what's caused beta cell burnout.
Going to cause what's caused beta cell
burnout. Finally, the pancreas is
beta cell burnout. Finally, the pancreas
is producing all it can produce,
finally, the pancreas is producing all it
can produce, and that's not enough anymore.
Producing all it can
produce, and that's not
enough anymore. And
when that happens, the
and that's not enough anymore.
And when that
happens, the beta cells
get damaged, they
and when that happens,
the beta cells get
damaged, they can't
produce anymore, and your
beta cells get damaged, they can't produce
anymore, and your blood sugar goes up.
Can't produce anymore, and your blood sugar
goes up. And now you've become, frankly,
blood sugar goes up. And now
you've become, frankly, diabetic.
And now you've become, frankly, diabetic.
And once your blood sugar
diabetic. And once your blood
sugar goes out of control, it can
and once your blood
sugar goes out of
control, it can damage
your arteries and lead to
goes out of control, it can damage your
arteries and lead to heart disease.
Damage your arteries and lead to heart
disease. And yet the experts keep telling
heart disease. And yet the experts keep
telling us to stay away from fat and
and yet the experts keep telling us to stay
away from fat and load up on carbohydrates.
Us to stay away from fat and load up on
carbohydrates. On their website, cspi
load up on carbohydrates. On their website,
cspi encourages parents to cut the
on their website, cspi encourages parents
to cut the fat from their kids' diets and
encourages parents to
cut the fat from their
kids' diets and feed
them starchy foods, like
fat from their kids'
diets and feed them
starchy foods, like
whole-wheat crackers and
feed them starchy foods, like
whole-wheat crackers and grape-nuts.
Whole-wheat crackers and grape-nuts.
Grape-nuts have a glycemic
grape-nuts. Grape-nuts have
a glycemic index of 64...
Grape-nuts have a glycemic
index of 64... Sugar
index of 64... Sugar .
..Which make them more
sugar ...Which make
them more fattening.
...which make them more fattening.
If you were to eat a bowl of
fattening. If you were to eat a bowl
of grape-nuts, the calories are
if you were to eat a
bowl of grape-nuts, the
calories are about the
same as eating an
grape-nuts, the calories are about the same
as eating an extra-large snickers bar.
About the same as eating an
extra-large snickers bar. Sugar
we were all subjects
in a giant experiment,
the hypothesis of which
was that fat is bad
giant experiment, the hypothesis of
which was that fat is bad for us.
And now here we all are, at the end of this
giant experiment. Type-2 diabetes is at a
end of this giant experiment.
Type-2 diabetes
is at a screamingly
high rate, and way,
type-2 diabetes is at a
screamingly high rate,
and way, way more
people are overweight
screamingly high rate, and way, way more
people are overweight than used to be.
Way more people are overweight than used
to be. Grandmother could tell you
than used to be. Grandmother could
tell you that that diet would make you
grandmother could tell you that
that diet would make you fat.
That that diet would make you fat.
She knew that potatoes and bread
fat. She knew that potatoes
and bread were fattening.
She knew that potatoes and bread were
fattening. We all knew it until modern
were fattening. We all knew it until
modern nutrition told us otherwise.
We all knew it until modern nutrition
told us otherwise. Which is why I'm
nutrition told us otherwise. Which
is why I'm intentionally ignoring what
which is why I'm intentionally
ignoring what modern nutrition says.
Intentionally ignoring
what modern nutrition
says. I'm eating
lots of protein and
modern nutrition says. I'm eating lots of
protein and plenty of fat, but I'm limiting
I'm eating lots of protein
and plenty of fat,
but I'm limiting my
carbohydrates to about 100
plenty of fat, but I'm limiting my
carbohydrates to about 100 grams per day.
Because my doctor was
going on vacation, I
shortened my 30-day diet
to 28 days and went to my
vacation, I shortened my 30-day diet to
28 days and went to my post-diet checkup.
Diet to 28 days and went to my post-diet
checkup. I showed my doctor what I'd been
post-diet checkup. I showed my doctor what
I'd been eating, which included 15 double
I showed my doctor what
I'd been eating, which
included 15 double or
triple cheeseburgers,
eating, which included
15 double or triple
cheeseburgers, 19 sausage
patties, 52 eggs, and
or triple cheeseburgers,
19 sausage patties,
52 eggs, and a dozen
servings of fried
19 sausage patties, 52 eggs, and a
dozen servings of fried chicken.
A dozen servings of fried chicken.
He was not exactly happy with my
chicken. He was not exactly
happy with my choices.
He was not exactly happy with my choices.
Let's step up here and see
choices. Let's step up here
and see what damage you've done.
Let's step up here and see what damage
you've done. Okay, I have no idea why this
what damage you've done. Okay,
I have no idea why this is.
Okay, I have no idea why this is.
You lost weight.
Is. You lost weight.
You lost weight. 194, I
believe, and a quarter.
194, I believe, and a quarter.
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm. If you
move away, I can see
if you move away,
I can see better.
Better. Yep.
Yep. So, I lost almost 12?
So, I lost almost 12?
Let me see.
Let me see. Think so.
Think so. 12 1/4.
12 1/4. What did you drink?
What did you drink?
Either diet coke or iced tea
either diet coke
or iced tea or water.
Or water. Okay.
Okay. Your total
cholesterol was 231.
Your total cholesterol was 231.
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm. It's now 222.
It's now 222. Now,
before you think that
now, before you think that
that's a decrement, if I would
that's a decrement, if I would
check the same sample two and
check the same sample two and
three times, we would have that
three times, we would have
that kind of variance.
Kind of variance. Okay.
Okay. Okay, so,
that, to me, didn't
okay, so, that, to
me, didn't change.
Change. What's that look?
What's that look?
It's 28.2.
It's 28.2. I don't
like what you're proving
I don't like what
you're proving here.
I-I didn't write it the last time, but
I believe you -- 31.2, which was high.
Time, but I believe you -- 31.2,
which was high. Mm-hmm.
Which was high. Mm-hmm.
And, uh, you went to 28.2.
Mm-hmm. And, uh, you went to 28.2.
And that's eating a lot of junk.
And, uh, you went to 28.2. And
that's eating a lot of junk. Mm-hmm.
And that's eating a lot of junk. Mm-hmm.
So, you -- I believe you've
mm-hmm. So, you -- I believe
you've proved your point.
So, you -- I believe you've proved your
point. See, but you did it with an eye
proved your point. See, but you did
it with an eye towards an end.
See, but you did it with an eye
towards an end. Mm-hmm.
Towards an end. Mm-hmm.
Okay?
Mm-hmm. Okay? You
had an idea what you were
okay? You had an idea
what you were doing.
You had an idea what you were doing.
You knew what you were doing,
doing. You knew what you were doing,
and in spite of that, you were
you knew what you were doing, and in spite
of that, you were able to do something.
And in spite of that, you were able
to do something. I'm impressed.
Able to do something. I'm impressed.
And I would agree with you.
I'm impressed. And I would agree with you.
There's more to it than just,
and I would agree with you. There's more
to it than just, you know, no fast food.
There's more to it than just, you know, no
fast food. Do you ever wake up in the
you know, no fast food. Do you ever
wake up in the middle of the night and go,
do you ever wake up in the middle of the
night and go, "cheeseburger, cheeseburger"?
Middle of the night and
go, "cheeseburger,
cheeseburger"? Yeah,
every night -- almost
"cheeseburger, cheeseburger"? Yeah,
every night -- almost every night.
Yeah, every night -- almost every night.
I get, like, the shakes and
every night. I get, like, the shakes
and withdrawals, then I start, like,
I get, like, the shakes and withdrawals,
then I start, like, hitting people.
Withdrawals, then I start, like,
hitting people. I've done that.
Hitting people. I've done that.
I need chicken nuggets or --
I've done that. I
need chicken nuggets
or -- now, see, I
thought I was the
I need chicken nuggets or -- now,
see, I thought I was the only one.
Now, see, I thought I was the only one.
Yeah. No.
Only one. Yeah. No.
Don't get me wrong.
Yeah. No. Don't get me wrong.
A fast-food diet is not a good
don't get me wrong. A fast-food
diet is not a good diet.
A fast-food diet is not a good diet.
A good diet would include a lot
diet. A good diet would include a
lot more fruits and vegetables.
A good diet would include
a lot more fruits and
vegetables. But if I can
eat fast food every
more fruits and vegetables.
But if I can eat
fast food every meal
for 28 days and lose
but if I can eat fast
food every meal for 28
days and lose weight,
then most people can
meal for 28 days and lose weight, then most
people can certainly eat fast food a few
weight, then most people
can certainly eat
fast food a few times a
week without becoming
certainly eat fast food a few times
a week without becoming obese.
Times a week without becoming obese.
I was happy to lose the 12
obese. I was happy to lose the
12 pounds, but I wasn't quite
I was happy to lose the 12 pounds, but
I wasn't quite finished with diets.
Pounds, but I wasn't quite finished with
diets. While researching this film, I
finished with diets. While researching this
film, I was surprised to learn that the
while researching this
film, I was surprised to
learn that the lipid
hypothesis might be a load
was surprised to learn that the lipid
hypothesis might be a load of baloney.
Lipid hypothesis might be a load of
baloney. So, with a little encouragement
of baloney. So, with a little encouragement
from Dr. eades, I decided to
so, with a little
encouragement from Dr. eades,
I decided to conduct a
one-man experiment.
From Dr. eades, I decided
to conduct a one-man
experiment. For a solid
month, I cut all the
conduct a one-man experiment.
For a solid month,
I cut all the sugar and
starch out of my diet,
for a solid month, I cut
all the sugar and starch
out of my diet, and I
went on a saturated-fat
sugar and starch out of my diet, and
I went on a saturated-fat pig-out.
And I went on a saturated-fat pig-out.
For breakfast, I ate two or
pig-out. For breakfast, I ate two
or three eggs fried in butter every
for breakfast, I ate two
or three eggs fried
in butter every day,
with plenty of bacon.
Three eggs fried in
butter every day, with
plenty of bacon. When I
was traveling, I ate
day, with plenty of bacon.
When I was
traveling, I ate sausage
mcmuffins without the
when I was traveling, I ate sausage
mcmuffins without the muffins.
Sausage mcmuffins without the muffins.
For lunch, I had cheeseburgers
muffins. For lunch, I had cheeseburgers
without buns, covered with
for lunch, I had
cheeseburgers without buns,
covered with plenty of
onions fried in -- you
without buns, covered with plenty of onions
fried in -- you guessed it -- coconut oil.
Plenty of onions fried
in -- you guessed it --
coconut oil. For dinner,
I had nicely marbled
guessed it -- coconut oil.
For dinner, I had
nicely marbled steaks
or Polish sausages.
For dinner, I had nicely
marbled steaks or
Polish sausages. My
favorite snack was shredded
steaks or Polish sausages.
My favorite snack
was shredded cheese
fried in coconut oil.
My favorite snack was shredded cheese fried
in coconut oil. I also ate plenty of fruit
cheese fried in coconut oil.
I also ate
plenty of fruit covered
with heavy cream and
I also ate plenty of fruit covered with
heavy cream and lots of green vegetables
covered with heavy cream and lots of green
vegetables practically swimming in butter.
Lots of green vegetables
practically swimming
in butter. During that
same month, I had a
practically swimming in butter.
During that same
month, I had a big
programming project with a
during that same month,
I had a big programming
project with a tight
deadline, so I spent a lot
big programming project
with a tight deadline,
so I spent a lot of nights
working until 2:00 in
tight deadline, so I spent a lot of
nights working until 2:00 in the morning.
But I never felt exhausted. In fact,
my energy and my mood were great.
At the end of that month, I had
yet another cholesterol test.
Yet another cholesterol test.
The results?
The results? Well, let's
just say somebody
well, let's just say somebody
has some explaining to do.
Has some explaining to do. My
overall cholesterol dropped,
my overall cholesterol
dropped, and my hdl shot up.
And my hdl shot up.
The experts who think
the experts who think
cholesterol is important
tell us to watch our
cholesterol ratio,
cholesterol is important
tell us to watch our
cholesterol ratio, which
is calculated by dividing
to watch our cholesterol
ratio, which is calculated
by dividing your total
cholesterol by your
which is calculated by dividing
your total cholesterol by your hdl.
Your total cholesterol by your hdl.
After a solid month of eating
hdl. After a solid month of eating
everything the experts say is
after a solid month of eating everything
the experts say is bad for your heart, my
everything the experts say is bad for your
heart, my cholesterol ratio dropped to
bad for your heart, my cholesterol
ratio dropped to 3.27.
Cholesterol ratio dropped to 3.27.
According to the experts, that's
3.27. According to the
experts, that's outstanding.
According to the experts, that's
outstanding. When I think
of all the times I
outstanding. When I think of all the
times I had low-fat cereal when I really
when I think of all the
times I had low-fat
cereal when I really wanted
bacon and eggs, or a
had low-fat cereal when
I really wanted bacon
and eggs, or a skinless
chicken breast when I
wanted bacon and eggs,
or a skinless chicken
breast when I really
wanted a juicy steak,
skinless chicken breast
when I really wanted a
juicy steak, well, it
kind of pisses me off.
Really wanted a juicy steak, well, it
kind of pisses me off. So, let's review.
Well, it kind of pisses me off. So, let's
review. Who told Americans to avoid
so, let's review. Who told Americans to
avoid saturated fats, which make you
who told Americans to
avoid saturated fats,
which make you feel full
and happy and don't
saturated fats, which
make you feel full and
happy and don't spike your
blood sugar, and told
feel full and happy and
don't spike your blood
sugar, and told us instead
to eat lots and lots
spike your blood sugar, and
told us instead to eat
lots and lots of
carbohydrates, which do spike
us instead to eat lots and
lots of carbohydrates,
which do spike your blood
sugar and make you
of carbohydrates, which
do spike your blood sugar
and make you hungry
again soon after eating
your blood sugar and make you hungry
again soon after eating them?
Hungry again soon after eating them?
Your government.
Them? Your government.
Who cut funding for p.E.
Your government. Who cut funding for p.E.
Programs and even, according to
who cut funding for p.E. Programs and even,
according to John banzhaf, doesn't provide
programs and even,
according to John banzhaf,
doesn't provide enough
playgrounds in many
John banzhaf, doesn't provide
enough playgrounds in many areas?
Enough playgrounds in many areas?
Your government.
Areas? Your government. Who
pushed trans fats into the
your government. Who pushed trans fats
into the fast-food restaurants right
who pushed trans fats
into the fast-food
restaurants right around
the time more Americans
fast-food restaurants right around the
time more Americans were eating fast food?
Around the time more Americans were
eating fast food? The guy from cspi!
Were eating fast food? The guy from cspi!
So, who does Morgan spurlock
the guy from cspi! So, who does Morgan
spurlock blame for America's growing
so, who does Morgan spurlock blame
for America's growing waistline?
Blame for America's growing waistline?
Ronald McDonald.
Waistline? Ronald McDonald. And
who do the food evangelists
Ronald McDonald. And who do the food
evangelists want to swoop in and solve this
and who do the food evangelists want
to swoop in and solve this problem?
Want to swoop in and solve this problem?
Problem?
Your government.
Your government.
That reminds me that the only
your government. That reminds me that
the only saving grace of government is
that reminds me that
the only saving grace
of government is that
they're incompetent,
saving grace of government is that they're
incompetent, because if they could do what
that they're incompetent,
because if they
could do what they really
wanted, it would be
because if they could do what they really
wanted, it would be horrible for all of us.
They really wanted, it
would be horrible for
all of us. And now
for the one question
horrible for all of us. And now for
the one question that really matters.
And now for the one question that really
matters. Who decides to drink 44-ounce
that really matters. Who decides to drink
44-ounce sodas and eat big bowls of
who decides to drink 44-ounce sodas and eat
big bowls of sugary cereal and large orders
sodas and eat big bowls
of sugary cereal and
large orders of fries,
and then go home and
sugary cereal and large
orders of fries, and
then go home and sit in
front of the TV and eat
of fries, and then go
home and sit in front
of the TV and eat more
sugar and more starch
sit in front of the TV
and eat more sugar and
more starch instead of
taking up a sport or
more sugar and more
starch instead of taking
up a sport or just
going for a long walk?
Instead of taking up a sport or
just going for a long walk? You do.
Just going for a long walk? You do.
And if that's your choice...
You do. And if that's your choice...
So it is -- and I think, for
and if that's your choice...
So it is -- and
I think, for the most
part -- a very Sincere
so it is -- and I think, for the most
part -- a very Sincere blindness...
The most part -- a very Sincere
blindness... To the possibility that other
blindness... To the possibility that
other people might just have different
to the possibility that
other people might just
have different values and
preferences than they
people might just have different
values and preferences than they do...
Values and preferences than they do...
I love hamburgers.
Do... I love hamburgers.
I love French fries.
I love hamburgers. I love French fries.
I love coke.
I love French fries. I love coke.
I love to go in there.
I love coke. I love to go in there.
And you know, there are times
I love to go in there. And you know, there
are times when I eat these meals, even
and you know, there are
times when I eat these
meals, even though I
know that this is not
when I eat these meals,
even though I know that
this is not the healthiest
food for me to be
though I know that this is not the
healthiest food for me to be eating.
The healthiest food for me to be eating.
...And that, in a free
eating. ...And that, in a
free society, that's okay.
...and that, in a free society,
that's okay. You know, it's all right.
Well, I'm lysine, bromide,
var--
Wait a minute. That was three years
ago, so let's do some catching up.
That was three years ago, so let's do some
catching up. By the time I finished making
let's do some catching up. By the time I
finished making this documentary, I was
by the time I finished
making this documentary,
I was fascinated
with nutrition and
this documentary, I was fascinated with
nutrition and health, so I kept on
fascinated with nutrition and
health, so I kept on researching.
Health, so I kept on researching.
I've read dozens of books and
researching. I've read dozens of books
and hundreds of studies, and I've
I've read dozens of
books and hundreds of
studies, and I've interviewed
quite a few more
hundreds of studies, and
I've interviewed quite
a few more doctors and
researchers who say
interviewed quite a
few more doctors and
researchers who say the
low-fat, high-carbohydrate
doctors and researchers
who say the low-fat,
high-carbohydrate diet
recommended by the usda is
the low-fat,
high-carbohydrate diet
recommended by the usda
is a load of baloney.
Diet recommended by the usda is a load
of baloney. Yes, a lot of the so-called
a load of baloney. Yes, a lot of the
so-called experts still believe in the
yes, a lot of the so-called experts still
believe in the lipid hypothesis, but every
experts still believe in
the lipid hypothesis,
but every year,
there's more and more
lipid hypothesis, but every year, there's
more and more evidence that they're wrong.
Year, there's more and more evidence that
they're wrong. Here's what one group of
evidence that they're wrong. Here's what
one group of researchers had to say after
here's what one group of researchers had to
say after going back and examining all the
researchers had to say after going back
and examining all the relevant studies.
There's no significant
evidence for concluding
that dietary saturated
fat is associated with
for concluding that
dietary saturated fat is
associated with an
increased risk of coronary
saturated fat is associated
with an increased
risk of coronary heart
disease or cardiovascular
an increased risk of coronary heart
disease or cardiovascular disease.
Meanwhile, there have been several clinical
studies comparing diets that are low in
several clinical studies
comparing diets that
are low in carbohydrates
versus diets that
comparing diets that are
low in carbohydrates
versus diets that are low
in both calories and
carbohydrates versus diets that
are low in both calories and fat.
Are low in both calories and fat.
And guess what.
Fat. And guess what. The
low-carbohydrate diets keep
and guess what. The low-carbohydrate
diets keep coming out on top.
People not only lose more
weight without counting
calories, they also improve
their risk factors
without counting calories,
they also improve their
risk factors for heart
disease and metabolic
also improve their risk
factors for heart disease
and metabolic syndrome
more than people who go
for heart disease and metabolic syndrome
more than people who go on low-fat diets.
Syndrome more than people who go on low-fat
diets. As a result, more doctors and
on low-fat diets. As a result, more doctors
and scientists are coming around to
as a result, more doctors
and scientists are
coming around to the same
conclusion -- dietary
scientists are coming
around to the same
conclusion -- dietary fat
was never the problem.
The same conclusion --
dietary fat was never
the problem. The problem
is too many refined
fat was never the problem. The problem
is too many refined carbohydrates.
The problem is too many refined
carbohydrates. And that message is finally
carbohydrates. And that message is
finally starting to show up in the
and that message is finally starting
to show up in the mainstream media.
So, am I still on a low-carb diet?
Yes, but with some important
diet? Yes, but with
some important changes.
Yes, but with some important changes.
When I was shooting "fat head,"
changes. When I was shooting "fat
head," my main focus was on limiting my
when I was shooting "fat
head," my main focus
was on limiting my
carbohydrates to around 100
my main focus was on limiting my
carbohydrates to around 100 grams per day.
Carbohydrates to around 100 grams per day.
So if I could eat a hamburger
grams per day. So if I could eat a
hamburger bun or some fried-chicken strips
so if I could eat a
hamburger bun or some
fried-chicken strips without
going over the limit,
bun or some fried-chicken
strips without
going over the limit,
that was okay with me.
Without going over the limit, that was
okay with me. And for some time after
that was okay with me. And for some
time after finishing "fat head," I
and for some time after finishing "fat
head," I continued eating what I now call
finishing "fat head," I continued eating
what I now call low-carb junk foods --
continued eating what I now call low-carb
junk foods -- low-carb bread, low-carb
low-carb junk foods -- low-carb bread,
low-carb ice cream, low-carb pasta,
low-carb bread, low-carb ice cream,
low-carb pasta, low-carb dessert bars, and
ice cream, low-carb pasta,
low-carb dessert bars, and so on.
Low-carb dessert bars, and so on.
Well, not anymore.
So on. Well, not anymore. In
the past couple of years,
well, not anymore. In the past couple of
years, I've become aware of researchers
in the past couple of
years, I've become aware
of researchers and
authors who promote what
I've become aware of
researchers and authors
who promote what they
call a primal diet, or a
and authors who promote what they
call a primal diet, or a paleo diet.
They call a primal diet, or a paleo diet.
The idea behind these diets is
paleo diet. The idea behind these diets
is based on evolutionary biology.
The idea behind these diets
is based on evolutionary
biology. And in a
nutshell, it goes like
based on evolutionary biology. And
in a nutshell, it goes like this.
And in a nutshell, it goes like this.
Yes, you may talk on a cellphone
this. Yes, you may talk on a cellphone
and surf the Internet, but,
yes, you may talk on a
cellphone and surf the
Internet, but,
genetically, you're almost
and surf the Internet,
but, genetically,
you're almost exactly the
same as your caveman
genetically, you're almost exactly
the same as your caveman ancestors.
Exactly the same as your caveman ancestors.
When you eat modern processed
ancestors. When you eat modern processed
foods that your ancestors never
when you eat modern
processed foods that your
ancestors never would have
eaten, there's a good
foods that your ancestors
never would have eaten,
there's a good chance
those foods will make you
would have eaten, there's
a good chance those
foods will make you sick,
because, genetically,
chance those foods will
make you sick, because,
genetically, we're just
not adapted to eating
sick, because, genetically, we're
just not adapted to eating them.
We're just not adapted to eating them.
And besides sugar, one of the
them. And besides sugar, one of
the most modern and most damaging
and besides sugar, one
of the most modern and
most damaging foods we
consume today is wheat.
What we have today called wheat is not
what we think of -- that is, this 4 1/2-,
wheat is not what we
think of -- that is,
this 4 1/2-, 5-foot-tall
plant that stands up
that is, this 4 1/2-, 5-foot-tall plant
that stands up to your shoulders on a grown
5-foot-tall plant that stands up to
your shoulders on a grown adult.
To your shoulders on a grown adult.
It is a 2-foot-tall, short,
adult. It is a 2-foot-tall, short,
stocky plant that has a very
it is a 2-foot-tall,
short, stocky plant
that has a very large
seedhead, a very thick
stocky plant that has a
very large seedhead,
a very thick stalk, but
yields about tenfold
large seedhead, a very thick stalk, but
yields about tenfold more per acre.
Stalk, but yields about tenfold more per
acre. So, this was introduced in the
more per acre. So, this was
introduced in the '70s.
So, this was introduced in the '70s.
It caught on gradually.
'70s. It caught on gradually.
Many farmers, by the way,
it caught on gradually. Many farmers, by
the way, thought this thing looked weird
many farmers, by the
way, thought this thing
looked weird and didn't
want to grow it in
thought this thing looked weird and
didn't want to grow it in the late '70s.
But once they saw the
incredible increase in
yield, they rapidly embraced
it in the early '80s,
increase in yield, they
rapidly embraced it in
the early '80s, such
that, by 1985, when you
embraced it in the early
'80s, such that, by
1985, when you went to
the grocery store and
such that, by 1985, when
you went to the grocery
store and bought
bread, cookies, cakes,
went to the grocery
store and bought bread,
cookies, cakes, pretzels,
crackers -- anything
bought bread, cookies,
cakes, pretzels, crackers
-- anything made of
wheat -- virtually all
pretzels, crackers --
anything made of wheat --
virtually all of it came
from this high-yield,
made of wheat -- virtually all of it came
from this high-yield, semi-dwarf strain.
Okay, so today's wheat isn't the
same as your grandmother's wheat.
The same as your grandmother's wheat.
So what?
You cannot change a
plant to this incredible
degree, often using
bizarre and extreme
this incredible degree,
often using bizarre
and extreme techniques,
without changing its
using bizarre and extreme
techniques, without
changing its underlying
genetics and
techniques, without changing its
underlying genetics and biochemistry.
Underlying genetics and biochemistry.
We know that multiple proteins
biochemistry. We know that multiple
proteins in wheat -- the gliadin
we know that multiple proteins in wheat --
the gliadin proteins, the gluten proteins,
in wheat -- the gliadin
proteins, the gluten
proteins, the lectin
proteins, probably
proteins, the gluten
proteins, the lectin
proteins, probably the
glutenin proteins -- there
the lectin proteins,
probably the glutenin
proteins -- there are a
whole long list of new
the glutenin proteins -- there are a whole
long list of new proteins that are just
are a whole long list of new proteins
that are just different, perhaps by a few
proteins that are just different, perhaps
by a few amino acids, but as any
different, perhaps by a
few amino acids, but
as any allergist will
tell you, it just
amino acids, but as any allergist will tell
you, it just takes a shift of a couple,
allergist will tell you,
it just takes a shift
of a couple, three, a
handful of amino acids
takes a shift of a couple,
three, a handful of
amino acids in a protein,
and it can make a
three, a handful of amino
acids in a protein, and
it can make a difference
between no reaction
in a protein, and it can make a difference
between no reaction and a fatal reaction.
Difference between no reaction and a fatal
reaction. So we know that there have been
and a fatal reaction. So we know that there
have been extensive changes introduced
so we know that there have been extensive
changes introduced into the wheat plant.
Extensive changes introduced into the wheat
plant. Now we're seeing the downstream
into the wheat plant. Now we're
seeing the downstream consequence.
Now we're seeing the downstream
consequence. We're seeing this incredible
consequence. We're seeing this
incredible surge in diseases.
We're seeing this incredible surge in
diseases. I wouldn't have even thought to
surge in diseases. I wouldn't have even
thought to put two and two together until
I wouldn't have even
thought to put two and two
together until we saw
what happened when we
put two and two together
until we saw what
happened when we took
wheat out of the diet.
When I stopped eating wheat
and other grains, I waved
and other grains, I waved
goodbye to several annoying
goodbye to several
annoying health problems.
So I'm still on a low-carb diet, but it's a
diet based on unprocessed, whole foods --
but it's a diet based on unprocessed, whole
foods -- meats, eggs, seafood, fruits,
unprocessed, whole
foods -- meats, eggs,
seafood, fruits, vegetables,
and nuts, with a
meats, eggs, seafood,
fruits, vegetables, and
nuts, with a little bit
of full-fat dairy.
Vegetables, and nuts,
with a little bit of
full-fat dairy. I only
eat fast food on rare
little bit of full-fat dairy.
I only eat fast
food on rare occasions,
and when I do, I skip
I only eat fast food on
rare occasions, and when
I do, I skip the hamburger
buns completely.
Occasions, and when I do,
I skip the hamburger
buns completely. My
lifestyle has also changed.
The hamburger buns completely.
My lifestyle has
also changed. When I was
making "fat head," I
my lifestyle has also changed.
When I was making
"fat head," I lived in
Burbank, California,
when I was making "fat
head," I lived in
Burbank, California, right
next to Los Angeles.
Lived in Burbank, California, right next
to Los Angeles. When my daughters started
right next to Los Angeles. When my
daughters started school, I asked myself a
when my daughters started school,
I asked myself a question.
School, I asked myself a question.
Do I want my kids to grow up to
question. Do I want my kids
to grow up to be L.A. kids?
Do I want my kids to grow up to be L.A.
kids? Would I want to grow up here?
Be L.A. kids? Would I want to grow up here?
So we moved across the country
would I want to grow up here?
So we moved across
the country to a small
town in Tennessee and
so we moved across the
country to a small town
in Tennessee and eventually
bought a small farm.
To a small town in Tennessee
and eventually bought
a small farm. We've
started raising more of
eventually bought a small farm.
We've started
raising more of our own
food, and we shop for
we've started raising more of our own food,
and we shop for eggs in our own henhouse.
Our own food, and we shop for eggs in our
own henhouse. The eggs are delicious.
Eggs in our own henhouse. The eggs are
delicious. Both of my daughters live on
the eggs are delicious.
Both of my daughters
live on diets that
are high in fat and
both of my daughters live
on diets that are high
in fat and relatively
low in carbohydrates.
Diets that are high in
fat and relatively low
in carbohydrates. Of
course, that means we're
relatively low in carbohydrates.
Of course, that
means we're feeding
them almost exactly the
of course, that means
we're feeding them almost
exactly the opposite of
the diet recommended
feeding them almost exactly the opposite
of the diet recommended by the usda.
Opposite of the diet recommended
by the usda. The result?
By the usda. The result? Both
of my girls are lean and
the result? Both of my girls are lean
and strong and energetic, they're
both of my girls are
lean and strong and
energetic, they're almost
never sick, and they've
strong and energetic,
they're almost never
sick, and they've never
had a single cavity.
Almost never sick, and
they've never had a
single cavity. And they
somehow manage to get
never had a single cavity. And they somehow
manage to get straight a's in school, even
and they somehow manage
to get straight a's in
school, even though the
experts say kids need
straight a's in school,
even though the experts
say kids need lots of
carbohydrates to fuel
though the experts say kids need lots
of carbohydrates to fuel their brains.
Lots of carbohydrates to fuel their brains.
I don't go for long walks at
their brains. I don't go for long walks
at night anymore because, frankly,
I don't go for long
walks at night anymore
because, frankly, I'm afraid,
if I walk around our
night anymore because,
frankly, I'm afraid, if
I walk around our fields
after dark, I'll trip
I'm afraid, if I walk
around our fields after
dark, I'll trip over a
rock or step on something
fields after dark, I'll trip over a
rock or step on something with fangs.
Over a rock or step on something with
fangs. So now I get in my walking by
with fangs. So now I get in my walking
by playing disc golf on my own
so now I get in my walking by
playing disc golf on my own land.
Playing disc golf on my own land.
My daughter Sara is getting
land. My daughter Sara is getting
pretty good at the game, and
my daughter Sara is getting pretty good
at the game, and I'm, uh, not bad.
Pretty good at the game, and I'm, uh,
not bad. I also go to a gym once a week
I'm, uh, not bad. I also go to a gym
once a week and lift weights, using a
I also go to a gym
once a week and lift
weights, using a slow-motion
training method
and lift weights, using a slow-motion
training method recommended by people like
slow-motion training method recommended by
people like fitness trainer Fred hahn and
recommended by people like fitness
trainer Fred hahn and Dr. Doug mcguff.
Fitness trainer Fred hahn and Dr. Doug
mcguff. Thanks to the better diet and
Dr. Doug mcguff. Thanks to the better
diet and the better workouts, I'm leaner
thanks to the better diet
and the better workouts,
I'm leaner and stronger
than I've been in
the better workouts, I'm leaner and
stronger than I've been in decades.
And stronger than I've been in decades.
I know I'm never gonna win any
decades. I know I'm never gonna win
any hot-body competitions, but
I know I'm never gonna
win any hot-body
competitions, but considering
that I'm 54 years
hot-body competitions, but considering that
I'm 54 years old and spent most of my adult
considering that I'm
54 years old and spent
most of my adult life as
a fat guy, I'm pretty
old and spent most of
my adult life as a fat
guy, I'm pretty happy
where I ended up.
Life as a fat guy, I'm pretty happy where I
ended up. I've also been extremely happy
happy where I ended up.
I've also been extremely
happy to read the
stories that some of
I've also been extremely
happy to read the
stories that some of the
people who have seen
to read the stories
that some of the people
who have seen "fat head"
have shared with me.
The people who have
seen "fat head" have
shared with me. Almost
every week, I hear from
"fat head" have shared with me.
Almost every
week, I hear from viewers
who tell me how they
almost every week, I hear
from viewers who tell
me how they were inspired
to cut way back on
viewers who tell me how
they were inspired to
cut way back on sugar and
starch and go back to
were inspired to cut way
back on sugar and starch
and go back to eating
foods that are high in
sugar and starch and go
back to eating foods
that are high in saturated
fat -- meats, eggs,
eating foods that are high in saturated
fat -- meats, eggs, butter, and so forth.
Saturated fat -- meats, eggs, butter, and
so forth. After changing their diets, they
butter, and so forth. After changing their
diets, they ended up losing a lot of weight
after changing their diets,
they ended up losing
a lot of weight and
drastically improving their
ended up losing a lot of weight and
drastically improving their health.
And drastically improving their health.
To be perfectly honest, making a
health. To be perfectly honest,
making a documentary on a shoestring
to be perfectly honest,
making a documentary
on a shoestring budget
turned out to be a lot
documentary on a shoestring
budget turned out
to be a lot harder than
I thought it would
budget turned out to be a lot
harder than I thought it would be.
Harder than I thought it would be.
But when I see pictures like
be. But when I see pictures like
these, I know it was worth all
but when I see pictures like these,
I know it was worth all the effort.
Well, I'm lysine, bromide, various
insecticides blue dye number 9
various insecticides blue dye
number 9 I'm 20 different acids and
blue dye number 9 I'm 20
different acids and 13 alkalines
I'm 20 different acids and 13
alkalines I'm dextrose, glycerin,
13 alkalines I'm dextrose, glycerin,
and saccharine, monosodium
I'm dextrose, glycerin, and
saccharine, monosodium glutamate
and saccharine, monosodium glutamate
and a couple grams of oat bran
glutamate and a couple grams of
oat bran I ingested by mistake
and a couple grams of oat bran I ingested
by mistake so put me in a beaker and
I ingested by mistake so put me in a
beaker and let her run some tests on me
so put me in a beaker and let her run some
tests on me with the toxins in my body,
let her run some tests on me with the
toxins in my body, I'm a walking pharmacy
with the toxins in my body, I'm a walking
pharmacy I'm shopping for my coffin,
I'm a walking pharmacy I'm shopping for
my coffin, but don't shed me any tears
I'm shopping for my coffin, but don't
shed me any tears 'cause according to the
but don't shed me any
tears 'cause according
to the experts,
I've been dead for
'cause according to the experts,
I've been dead for several years
experts, I've been dead for several
years now, I'm probably just
several years now, I'm probably
just a victim of my weak heredity
now, I'm probably just a victim of my weak
heredity my grandpa loved his whiskey,
a victim of my weak
heredity my grandpa loved
his whiskey, cigarettes,
and ham and cheese
my grandpa loved his
whiskey, cigarettes, and
ham and cheese he had
bacon, eggs, and coffee
cigarettes, and ham and
cheese he had bacon,
eggs, and coffee every
day he was alive
he had bacon, eggs, and coffee every day
he was alive and his diet finally killed
every day he was alive and his diet
finally killed him at the age of 95
and his diet finally killed him at the
age of 95 so put me in a beaker and
him at the age of 95 so put me in a
beaker and let her run some tests on me
so put me in a beaker and let her run some
tests on me with the toxins in my body,
let her run some tests on me with the
toxins in my body, I'm a walking pharmacy
with the toxins in my body, I'm a walking
pharmacy I'm shopping for my coffin,
I'm a walking pharmacy I'm shopping for
my coffin, but don't shed me any tears
I'm shopping for my coffin, but don't
shed me any tears 'cause according to the
but don't shed me any
tears 'cause according
to the experts,
I've been dead for
'cause according to the experts,
I've been dead for several years
experts, I've been dead for several
years now, my health-food friend was
several years now, my
health-food friend was natural
now, my health-food friend was
natural in his body, mind, and soul
natural in his body, mind, and
soul he only ate organic foods
in his body, mind, and soul he only ate
organic foods from a natural earthen bowl
he only ate organic foods from a natural
earthen bowl but there was botulism in that
from a natural earthen
bowl but there was
botulism in that natural
garden he had plowed
but there was botulism
in that natural garden
he had plowed he died
of natural causes, and
natural garden he had
plowed he died of natural
causes, and his friends
were very proud
he died of natural
causes, and his friends
were very proud you know
what they said at his
his friends were very proud you know what
they said at his funeral, don't you?
You know what they said at his funeral,
don't you? "Boy, he sure looks natural."
Funeral, don't you? "Boy, he sure looks
natural." Now, Kim jong-il sold chemical
"boy, he sure looks
natural." Now, Kim jong-il
sold chemical bombs to
his buddies in Iran
now, Kim jong-il sold
chemical bombs to his
buddies in Iran but if
they shoot them at our
bombs to his buddies in
Iran but if they shoot
them at our allies,
boy, we've got a secret
but if they shoot them at our allies,
boy, we've got a secret plan
allies, boy, we've got a secret
plan they're gonna give me a big
plan they're gonna give me a
big old cigar, put me in some
they're gonna give me a big old
cigar, put me in some bomber's load
old cigar, put me in some bomber's
load then, they'll light me up and
bomber's load then, they'll light me
up and kick me out, and they're toast
then, they'll light me up and kick me
out, and they're toast when I explode
kick me out, and they're toast
when I explode
When I explode
so put me in a beaker and
So put me in a beaker
and let her run some tests on me
so put me in a beaker and let her run some
tests on me with the toxins in my body,
let her run some tests on me with the
toxins in my body, I'm a walking pharmacy
with the toxins in my body, I'm a walking
pharmacy I'm shopping for my coffin,
I'm a walking pharmacy I'm shopping for
my coffin, but don't shed me any tears
I'm shopping for my coffin, but don't
shed me any tears 'cause according to the
but don't shed me any
tears 'cause according
to the experts,
I've been dead for
'cause according to the experts,
I've been dead for several years