This is the fourth post in response to concerns raised in an article on the Weston A. Price Foundation’s site by Christopher Masterjohn titled “Vegetarianism and Nutrient Deficiencies.”  I decided to concentrate on cholesterol.  I find this section of his article the most disturbing.  As an emergency physician, I see people who have heart attacks every day, which can probably prevented through a healthier diet.  Unfortunately, this website is advocating just the opposite.  Masterjohn writes about the Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome in which people are unable to make cholesterol and states it is necessary for these people to consume it.  He states, ” There are, however, millions of people with genetic defects in cholesterol synthesis for whom dietary cholesterol is likely an essential nutrient.”   This is a rare genetic condition.  Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome affects an estimated 1 in 20,000 to 60,000 newborns.(1)  For the vast majority of the population, consuming cholesterol is absolutely unnecessary because your body makes its own.  Most people in western countries, consume far too much cholesterol, which is a cause for heart disease, strokes, and many other maladies.(2)

Then, Masterjohn quotes Dr. Price saying  “As yet, I have not found a single group of primitive racial stock which was building and maintaining excellent bodies by living entirely on plant foods.”   Weston Price was making observations but did not do any rigorous studies.  He was probably not aware of the fact that most native people did not live long lives.  Innuit Greenlanders, who have limited access to fruits and vegetables, have the worst longevity in North America.(3)  Research shows that they die on average about 10 years younger and have a higher rate of cancer than the overall Canadian population. The  meat-consuming Masai in Kenya have the worst life expectancy. Life expectancy is 45 years for women and 42 for men.  African researchers report that Maasai rarely lived beyond age 60.(4)

In conclusion, I find the advocacy of saturated fat on the Weston A. Price Foundation website disturbing.  As a physician, I want to see my people improve their health through diet, and this website encourages eating habits that may bring about increased heart disease and stroke.  From a journal article on the stance of the American Dietetic Association’s position on vegetarian diets:

It is the position of the American Dietetic Association that appropriately planned vegetarian diets, including total vegetarian or vegan diets, are healthful, nutritionally adequate, and may provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases. Well-planned vegetarian diets are appropriate for individuals during all stages of the life cycle, including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, and adolescence, and for athletes…his article reviews the current data related to key nutrients for vegetarians including protein, n-3 fatty acids, iron, zinc, iodine, calcium, and vitamins D and B-12. A vegetarian diet can meet current recommendations for all of these nutrients. In some cases, supplements or fortified foods can provide useful amounts of important nutrients. An evidence- based review showed that vegetarian diets can be nutritionally adequate in pregnancy and result in positive maternal and infant health outcomes. The results of an evidence-based review showed that a vegetarian diet is associated with a lower risk of death from ischemic heart disease. Vegetarians also appear to have lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, and lower rates of hypertension and type 2 diabetes than nonvegetarians. Furthermore, vegetarians tend to have a lower body mass index and lower overall cancer rates. Features of a vegetarian diet that may reduce risk of chronic disease include lower intakes of saturated fat and cholesterol and higher intakes of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, soy products, fiber, and phytochemicals.(5)

(1) “Smith-Lemli-Optiz Syndrome.”  Genetics Home Reference:  Your Guide for Understanding Genetic Conditions.  07 September 2015.  Web. 09 September 2015. <http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/smith-lemli-opitz-syndrome>

(2) “About cholesterol.”  American Heart Association.  31 July 2014.  Web.  09 September 2015.  <http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Cholesterol/AboutCholesterol/About-Cholesterol_UCM_001220_Article.jsp>

(3)  Iburg KM, Brennum-Hansen H, Bjerregaard P. Health expectancy in Greenland. Scan J Public Health 2001;29(1):5-12.

(4) Joel Fuhrman, MD. “The Truth about the Weston Price Foundation.”  Vegsource.com 24 July 2010.  Web.  09 September 2015.  <http://www.vegsource.com/news/2010/07/the-truth-about-the-weston-price-foundation.html>

(5) Craig WJ, Mangels AR.  Position of the American Dietetic Association:  Vegetarian Diets.   J Am Diet Assoc 2009 Jul;109(7):1266-82.