Sylvia Onusic Reviews Barnard's Book . . . 

"Many researchers have linked low cholesterol levels to behavioral aberrations such as violent crime and suicide, as well as depression. Cholesterol is one of the body’s main building materials, in particular in the brain and nervous system, for building nerve cells. It is also the primary “stuff” from which hormones and bile are made. The specious high-cholesterol theory came out of misunderstood evidence from the famous Framingham Study. Yet when researchers examined the same subjects thirty years later they determined that high cholesterol was not a risk factor for older people, and more than twenty studies have in fact demonstrated that older people with higher cholesterol live the longest."

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Iron is absolutely necessary for human life. Without iron, cells will die. About one-half of iron in the body is contained in hemoglobin needed for oxygen transport. The body has mechanisms to tightly control iron usage in the body and to protect it from pathogenic bacteria. Iron is critical for the pregnant woman and her unborn child. Iron deficiency anemia is caused by lack of iron in the diet and absorption issues. Phytates in vegetables and tannins in black tea inhibit the absorption of iron.

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Although he mentions in passing the fatsoluble vitamins D (as a supplement) and K (only in its relationship to the blood-thinning drug warfarin), Bernard ignores the major roles of the fat-soluble vitamins in health and neglects to mention vitamin A at all. Not one reference to pre-formed vitamin A can be found in the book. Because these vitamins need fats to be utilized and are obviously found in animal foods, they do not conveniently fit into his ordained dietary paradigm and are therefore omitted or trivialized.

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New research shows that individuals with fasting blood sugar levels at the high end of normal are at risk for brain shrinkage and diabetes. It is well known that glucose control decreases and incidence of diabetes increases with aging. In fact, research strongly links high glucose levels to Alzheimer’s disease. It is high carbohydrate consumption that raises glucose levels in the blood. Alzheimer’s patients benefit from daily ingestion of coconut oil because it appears that their brains can no longer use glucose for fuel. This important finding is not mentioned in the book, perhaps because coconut oil contains saturated fat and does not fit into his model that “the brain runs on carbohydrates.”

One thing I did learn today that came out of this review is that there is a difference in the nutrient quality between fish oils and fish liver oils.  For example, I take the Zone Labs Fish Oils.  I get benefits from them.  I like their effect.  No complaints.  But I learned today that Cod Liver Oil, oil from that specific organ of the fish, has a lot of Vitamin A or Retinol, a fat-soluble vitamin that is very good for major organs that benefits people of all ages but particularly the elderly.  What does this mean?  It means that you will receive different nutritional benefits from cod liver oil versus fish oils.  Just a concluding note.  The Zone Labs fish oils is derived from mackerel, sardines, and anchovies, the smaller fish.