Vegetarian, Vegan and Animal Rights

There is a vast difference between those who are out to "debunk" everything they don't agree with, and those who follow the evidence. The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine follows the evidence wherever it leads, while the SBM seems to follow the evidence that leads to where they want to go, petitio principi.

Dr. Greger, in the video, quotes many studies and shows their results graphically as well. The SBM article on coconut oil quotes the New York Times, and Snopes, not the finest examples of refereed medical journals. Also the SBM article has some misleading claims. For example:

Coconut oil contains lauric acid, which raises both HDL and LDL cholesterol levels. This may improve the cholesterol profile, although there are concerns that it may promote atherosclerosis by other means. Virgin coconut oil contains medium-chain triglycerides, which are not as risky as some other saturated fats.

Note that it says "contains medium-chain triglycerides", but leads one to believe that it contains ONLY MCTs, which as Dr. Greger points out, is not the case at all. Again SBM neglects to mention the facts that contradict it's pre-drawn conclusions.

SBM IS, however, correct when it says:

There are a lot of claims that coconut oil may have health benefits, but there is no concrete scientific data yet to support this,” said Dr. Daniel Hwang, a research molecular biologist specializing in lauric acid at the Western Human Nutrition Research Center at the University of California, Davis.

The hype comes from unreliable sources. Joe Mercola says it is the smartest choice for cooking, is good for your heart, contains the kind of fat found in mothers’ milk, enhances immunity, and helps with weight loss by stimulating metabolism. And of course he sells it. Dr. Oz says it is a heart healthy food that helps resist viruses, bacteria, yeast, fungi, and candida; boosts thyroid function; improves blood sugar control and reduces the need for insulin; increases energy and endurance; increases digestion and improves absorption of vitamins; lowers cholesterol; helps control weight; has anti-aging effects; is good for skin and hair; and is quite safe to take in reasonable amounts. The Wellness Mama website lists 101 uses for coconut oil, including treating sunburns, athlete’s foot, Alzheimer’s disease, nasal allergies, arthritis, insomnia, autism, heartburn, hemorrhoids, depression, acne, cellulite, mosquito bites, and lice.

And they quite correctly classify Dr. Oz and Joe Mercola as highly dubious sources of dietary information. Anyone who believes what Dr. Oz has to say is being pretty foolish, in my book.

In short, I get the impression that SBM's goal is to "prove" whatever is the conventional practice of the present moment, and if newer legitimate research comes along, it should be ignored, debunked, and resisted for as long as possible. Famed Heart surgeon Dr. Esselstyn of the Cleveland Clinic cures his cardiac patients by doing things quite differently from "conventional practice". Other cardiologists may say he's wrong, but quite a few cardiologists have gone to him when they, themselves have heart disease, because what he does, works, and what conventional medicine does, doesn't work. Conventional medicine "treats" heart disease, and "manages" symptoms, but doesn't cure it. Dr. Esselstyn cures it.