Whole grain: a healthful alternative - NOT.

I found this interesting... an edited selection from a recent Anthony Colpo blog that states

that 'whole grain' is not better than refined and may even be worse for our health, based

on randomized clinical trials rather than epidemiological studies.

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Epidemiological studies simply do not have the ability to determine cause and effect with 

any degree of certainty. [Most often, it will be] other factors, such as an overall unhealthier 

diet or lifestyle accompanying the pinpointed dietary factor, that are the real cause.

My favorite example [of epidemiological studies being used incorrectly] is the plethora of 

studies showing that whole grain cereals reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease, 

diabetes, cancer, and so on. These studies are then used by health authorities, dopey 

dietitians, and clueless 'health' writers to claim whole grain cereals alleviate everything 

from heart disease to jock itch.

But when you look at the baseline data included in the whole-grain studies, something quickly becomes apparent: The whole-grain eaters live overall healthier lifestyles. They smoke less, consume less refined sugars, exercise more, use more vitamins, tend to have higher education/socioeconomic status, and so on.

So how do we know if it's their whole-grain consumption or other aspects of their generally healthier diet and lifestyle that are truly responsible for any beneficial health outcomes?

The answer to that comes from randomized controlled clinical trials where these confounding factors are largely removed due to the randomization process that occurs prior to the trials. It also comes from crossover clinical trials in which each individual subject serves as their own control by following both diets.

In these studies, subjects follow a whole-grain diet and a diet similar in every other respect except the cereal foods are refined.

And guess what?

These studies find that whole grains offer no health advantage and in fact usually produce worse health outcomes. This goes against everything you've ever been told by the impeccably accurate and always honest (cough, cough…COUGH) nutrition-industrial complex...

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If you want to read more about the whole grain issue you can check out the below link, where he argues with a PhD. Be warned though, he uses rough language and style:

What's Good for the Goose is Good for the Gander, Janet!

Carl