Two main criticisms (of the data/arguments provided in the linked Mike Darwin pages):
Promotion of / dependence on Ancel Keys’ Seven Countries study, when it is less than worthless (i.e., actively harmful). See, for example:
“In his review Keys presented a perfect curvilinear correlation between the mortality from coronary heart disease and the consumption of fat in six countries, but his curve was based on a selection of countries that fit his hypothesis and it has not been confirmed in studies including many more countries (50).”
“The seven countries were admittedly selected by Keys. Such selection may be helpful to illustrate an idea at a preliminary stage, but a proof of causality demands random data. In more recent studies, including many more countries, the association was weak, absent, or inverse (52).”
(quotes and footnotes available at http://www.ravnskov.nu/myth4.htm)
Darwin demonstrated a stark lack of understanding of the “traditional foods” movement (of which Cordain-leaning Paleo is just one variant, and of which I personally am not a fan). Much of what he said is outright false, inaccurate, or incomplete in ways that are important to pulling about the muddle of misinformation about nutrition. He should have just left his “Paleo” commentary out, since he clearly hasn’t done the research to understand the claims.
Or go the Quantified Self n=1 route: pick one of the three sites above, follow the advice for a month or three, and see how you feel, tracking as much as you can (mood/well-being, weight, sleep patterns, etc.) Like Max More, I am measurably improved on every health marker, as are a number of my friends and acquaintances.
Two main criticisms (of the data/arguments provided in the linked Mike Darwin pages):
Promotion of / dependence on Ancel Keys’ Seven Countries study, when it is less than worthless (i.e., actively harmful). See, for example: “In his review Keys presented a perfect curvilinear correlation between the mortality from coronary heart disease and the consumption of fat in six countries, but his curve was based on a selection of countries that fit his hypothesis and it has not been confirmed in studies including many more countries (50).” “The seven countries were admittedly selected by Keys. Such selection may be helpful to illustrate an idea at a preliminary stage, but a proof of causality demands random data. In more recent studies, including many more countries, the association was weak, absent, or inverse (52).” (quotes and footnotes available at http://www.ravnskov.nu/myth4.htm)
Darwin demonstrated a stark lack of understanding of the “traditional foods” movement (of which Cordain-leaning Paleo is just one variant, and of which I personally am not a fan). Much of what he said is outright false, inaccurate, or incomplete in ways that are important to pulling about the muddle of misinformation about nutrition. He should have just left his “Paleo” commentary out, since he clearly hasn’t done the research to understand the claims.
The curious could look at Whole Health Source (http://wholehealthsource.blogspot.com/) especially with respect to the Kitavans, Masai, Tokelau, Inuit, and other traditional cultures with a wide spectrum of healthful diets, but all of it is good, The Perfect Health Diet (http://perfecthealthdiet.com/), and Archevore (http://www.archevore.com/get-started/) as starting points. There is a lot to read.
Or go the Quantified Self n=1 route: pick one of the three sites above, follow the advice for a month or three, and see how you feel, tracking as much as you can (mood/well-being, weight, sleep patterns, etc.) Like Max More, I am measurably improved on every health marker, as are a number of my friends and acquaintances.