The Total Wellbeing Diet (CSIRO, Australia)

[James L]

In a recent visit to my local bookstore, I found this contribution from the scientists "down under" at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO): The Total Wellbeing Diet, by Manny Noakes, Ph.D., and Peter Clifton, Ph.D. It is somewhat similar to PP/PPLP in that it recognizes the importance of protein and also regular exercise. Although it is "... not a very low-carb diet." [p. 12] They describe their program as a low-calorie, high-protein, moderate-carb, low-fat diet. On p. 24, they provide a table with the nutrient analysis of a typical day on the diet's basic plan: 1,320 calories, 103 g protein, 40 g fat, 114 g carbs, and 32 g fiber.

The headline at the top of the book's cover states: The #1 Australian Bestseller
The cover also states that the diet is, "The clinically proven, scientifically tested, and nutritionally balanced 12-week diet plan for reaching your target weight--and helping keep it off for life." The back cover states, "So simple, so sensible, it's almost revolutionary." (That's a clue that it's written by scientists; marketing types would never have said "almost." :) )

Dr. Noakes is the leader for the Substantiation of Health Benefits of Integrated Lifestyle Programs at CSIRO Human Nutrition. She is also an affiliate associate professor in the Dept. of Medicine, University of Adelaide. Dr. Clifton is research director for nutrition, obesity and related conditions at CSIRO Human Nutrition. He is also an associate professor of medicine at the University of Adelaide and a practicing endocrinologist.

(Full disclosure notice: CSIRO research is partially funded by Dairy Australia and Meat & Livestock Australia.)

On p. 51, they state that, "To extract the best value from the Total Wellbeing Diet, it's important to appreciate the contribution of whole grain breads and cereals. Grains have been dietary staples for millenia, ...." Well, duh! That would be about 10 millenia, actually. What about the aproximately 2,500,000 years of hunting and gathering before those 10,000 years of agriculture? What about the diseases that appear to have resulted from the introduction of grain- and cereal-based foods? Look for hunter-gatherer in the index; you won't find it. Look for paleolithic in the index; you won't find it.

They do offer a good guideline for weight loss: "The safest and most effective way to reduce calorie intake for weight loss is to eat 500-1000 calories per day fewer than you use. This will produce a minimum weight loss of 1-2 pounds per week." [p. 28]

Here's an interview with Dr. Noakes:

Higher Protein Diets - Interview with Dr Manny Noakes, CSIRO

http://www.smartshape.com.au/a/585.html

Here's a link to the Total Wellbeing Diet Web page (at the CSIRO Web site); it includes a link to a January 9, 2006, press release CSIRO stands by the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet.:

http://www.csiro.au/csiro/channel/pchaj,,.html
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[mcsblues]

Geez James, don't mention the war OK?;)

This sort of nonsense is a bit sensitive to the Aussies here ... but we are not to blame!:rolleyes:

You will be delighted to hear this book has provoked a slanging match between the low fat moderate protein low calorie fairly high carb (Noakes and Clifton) and the ultra low fat high carb lunatic fringe/mainstream represented by Rosemary Stanton - who I described recently to an American friend as a cross between Susan Powter and Dean Ornish ... and I believe I apologised for the mental picture when I did!:) Their dispute? - whether the amount of protein in the form of red meat:eek::p proposed by Noakes was excessive.:rolleyes: Certainly by PP standards it was anything but - but as the CSIRO had MLA funding this is the one bit of their embarassing plan which got some attention.

You might not be aware of the amount of low carb and saturated fat bashing Noakes and Clifton have done to promote their book, but just quietly they seem to have changed their tune since ... although you won't see this in the popular press:rolleyes:

http://www.nutritionandmetabolism.com/content/pdf/1743-7075-3-7.pdf

[James L]

Thanks, Malcolm. An interesting paper, especially the observation that: The virtual flat line glucose and insulin response to a low-carbohydrate meal in the VLCARB group [compared to the very low fat group and the high unsaturated fat group] (Figure 5) is remarkable data that clearly shows how effective this dietary pattern is at stabilizing the metabolic and hormonal milieu that is the goal for people with insulin resistance and type II diabetes.
Although the small sample sizes (n = 21, 22 and 24) suggest that the statistical analysis could be marginal.
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[mcsblues]

But what you don't see is either Noakes or Clifton retracting their anti low carb statements or heaven forbid conceding that low carb is a more effective road to health than their diet ... even though they have since co-authored a paper ... which is really saying exactly that!:)

[James L]

They're not going to change their beliefs based on one paper. PP/PPLP is interesting but it's also something of a puzzle, mostly, I think, a marketing puzzle. PP/PPLP makes sense to me and works well for me, and probably most members of this board would say the same thing regarding their experiences with it. But for some reason the word is not getting out to the general public. That's one reason I wanted to meet Dr. Guttersen and engage her in a discussion, and also observe how the audience reacted to her (it turned out to be a small audience).

This board is a great start in terms of making other people aware of PP/PPLP, and I thank the Drs. Eades for it. But there's a long road ahead! :(

[mcsblues]

They're not going to change their beliefs based on one paper.

Hard to know why they wrote it if they haven't changed their minds!!:)

[James L]

They seem somewhat surprised by their own research results.

Background: It is speculated that high saturated fat very low carbohydrate diets (VLCARB) have adverse effects on cardiovascular risk but evidence for this in controlled studies is lacking.
...
Conclusion: Isocaloric VLCARB results in similar fat loss than diets low in saturated fat, but are more effective in improving triacylglycerols, HDL-C, fasting and post prandial glucose and insulin concentrations.
...
The more favorable effects of VLCARB on fasting and post prandial plasma insulin concentrations is a significant observation which indicates that this dietary pattern may be a useful strategy for the short-term management of subjects with insulin resistance and hypertriacylglycerolemia. (underline added)
They also still view low-carb as a short-term strategy, probably not suitable as a long-term lifestyle diet.

So visit CSIRO, treat them to a good, low-carb lunch and find out what they really think! :)
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[Belfrybat]

Looks to me that TWD is very similar to South Beach: "good" carbs, "good" moderate fats, moderate carb. It's a pity both still demonize saturated fats. But at least the tide seems to be turning towards lower carb/ higher protein diets in the mainstream. That, I believe is something to rejoice about.

[James L]

But at least the tide seems to be turning towards lower carb/ higher protein diets in the mainstream. That, I believe is something to rejoice about.
Yes and no. I agree that a slow turn in the tide may be occurring, and this board and its members are helping to accomplish such a turn.

Although the turn may be sort of in the mainstream in Australia, it seems to be more at the fringes here in the U.S. Two "mainstream" cases in point:
1. The Sonoma Diet, where protein isn't even on Dr. Guttersen's list of the Top 10 Power Foods. And look in the index for hunter-gatherer; you won't find it. Look in the index for paleolithic; you won't find it.
2. The new book,The Whole Grain Diet Miracle, by Dr. Lisa Hark of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and Dr. Darwin Deen of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine (April 2006) doesn't appear to be focusing on either protein or low carb.

So, yes, there seems to be some progress, but at a slow, tedious pace. :(

[sambalam]

Although the turn may be sort of in the mainstream in Australia, it seems to be more at the fringes here in the U.S.

believe me low carb is still on the fringes here in Australia. the CSIRO is very careful not to let that nasty word low carb go near its diet. higher protein is what is used and even that gets a bum rap as the level of protein eaten is higher than the recommendations. and they go in for the low GI thing too.

but i liike to think it is a baby step in the right direction. the Total Wellbeing Diet gets a lot of publicity here. and i've seen at least 3 current affairs shows that have people on saying it works, showing what they eat (and i must say without the skewed angle that would happen if this was a low carb diet).

nice description of rosie BTW malcolm! ;)

[James L]

believe me low carb is still on the fringes here in Australia.
Thanks for the information. I appreciate being able to read a post from someone who's closer to the situation than I am!