ESSENTIALS: SCIENCE

A survey of economic data across 42 European countries found no relationship between heart disease risk and eating animal protein and animal fat.

Frederick Allen, Elliott Joslin, Louis “Harry” Newburgh, and Phil Marsh were pioneers in the treatment of diabetes before the discovery of insulin. This 2006 review of their methods and outcomes found that all four successfully treated diabetic patients with a diet that closely resembles modern high-fat, low-carbohydrate diets.

"Today, most doctors, dietitians, and even diabetes specialists consider type 2 diabetes to be a chronic and progressive disease — a life sentence with no possibility of parole. But the truth, as Dr. Fung reveals in this paradigm-shifting book, is that type 2 diabetes is reversible."

This 2007 study found increased pancreatic fat is strongly associated with diabetes, independent of overall BMI or waist circumference. These results support the hypothesis that organ-specific fat accumulation, due to its effect on insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance, directly predicts and may play a causal role in the development of metabolic distress.

A 2011 article takes a historical look at the use of extremely low-calorie diets in diabetic patients prior to the discovery of insulin.

A brief summary of Frederick Allen’s work to treat diabetes through fasting

This 2016 review finds that low LDL cholesterol levels either have no association with mortality or predict increased mortality in the elderly.

A 2019 in vitro study found chronic fructose exposure increases insulin release by pancreatic β-cells, which may contribute to obesity and insulin resistance over time.

This 2016 debate features arguments for and against the use of statins in primary prevention.

This 2011 review surveys biological markers of depression and its comorbidities. Directly addressing these biomarkers — which often can be done through changes to diet, exercise, and lifestyle alone — may be an effective means to manage depression and reduce its associated disease burden.

A 2020 study by the team at Boston Children’s Hospital found a low-carbohydrate diet increases post-meal circulating energy levels and may support reduced calorie intake over time.

This 2019 review summarizes the mechanisms that regulate ketogenesis and analyzes the impact of ketones on specific disease states.

A 2017 review summarizes mechanisms by which obesity may contribute to age-related diseases, including arthritis and dementia.

A low-carbohydrate, low-calorie diet significantly improved HbA1c in diabetics over 12 weeks.

A 2019 commentary argues there is sufficient evidence to shift our clinical focus from managing diabetes to treating (i.e., reversing) it.

A U.K. clinical practice reports on its physicians’ use of low-carbohydrate diets to reverse diabetes in 16 out of 18 patients over eight months.

This 2013 review summarizes mechanisms by which poor metabolic health may increase asthma risk. The review findings indicate insulin can lead to changes in muscular and epithelial cells in the lungs as well as changes in the extracellular matrix — all of which may contribute to asthma and similar conditions.

This 2016 review summarizes multiple mechanisms by which obesity impairs immune function.

This 2005 review argues an exercise-induced increase in IL-6 reduces the harmful effects of inflammation and the anti-inflammatory properties of exercise may help explain the link between physical activity and health.

A 2020 review finds more than three-quarters of those serving on the boards of major medical organizations have received funding from industry. This indication of pervasive conflicts of interest among the leadership of leading U.S. medical organizations reveals the level of industry influence may be substantial.