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The Homocysteine Revolution
By Kilmer McCully
Review by Sally Fallon
Like so many other nutrition books on the market today, The Homocysteine
Revolution contains much good information, but absolutely maddening
errors in the section on dietary advice.
McCully lays to rest the notion that high serum cholesterol values
cause atherosclerosis and heart disease. He points out that high levels
of a protein metabolite called homocysteine in the blood have a high
correlation with both the tendency to build up pathological hardened
plague in the arteries, and to form blood clots--a deadly combination.
This condition of "homocysteinuria" happens when certain enzymes do
not completely transform the amino acid methionine, present in meat
and eggs, into the various derivatives needed for the formation of protein
in the tissues, but instead cause a pathological buildup of homocysteine,
an intermediate product.
In rare cases the root cause may be an inherited defect that leaves
the body unable to produce the vital conversion enzymes, but for most
people the condition is caused by deficiencies of certain vitamins,
namely folic acid, B12 and B6. So far, so good.
But turning to the dietary recommendations we find that McCully promotes
the same darling of the lipid hypothesis folks--lowfat, low-protein,
and high carbohydrate! While admitting that a recent study found no
correlation between dietary methionine intake and levels of blood homocysteine,
he still advises cutting back on methionine-rich foods like meat, milk
products and eggs, even though such foods also supply B12.
McCully's work should inspire a movement to return raw milk--a superb
dietary source of B6--to the diet. Instead he has opted for political
correctness--lots of vegetables.
He says we need zinc for good enzyme function, but recommends more
zinc-blocking whole grains and forgets to mention that red meat is the
best and most absorbable source of this vital trace mineral.
Fats are bad, he says, because they diminish the absorption of water
soluble B6—a claim for which he gives no reference, and which contradicts
Weston Price's findings that the vitamins in fats improve the
uptake of water soluble vitamins like B6. But politically correct oils
like olive oil, corn oil and canola oil are OK, says McCully.
One wonders just who wrote the section of dietary advice--was it the
pro-vegetarian Dr. Weil? In any event, it's the Prudent Diet all over
again--what a shame!
About the Reviewer
 Sally
Fallon is the author of
Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct
Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats (with Mary G. Enig, PhD), a well-researched,
thought-provoking guide to traditional foods with a startling message: Animal
fats and cholesterol are not villains but vital factors in the diet, necessary
for normal growth, proper function of the brain and nervous system, protection
from disease and optimum energy levels. She joined forces with Enig again to
write Eat Fat, Lose Fat, and has authored numerous articles on the
subject of diet and health. The President of the Weston A. Price Foundation
and founder of A Campaign for Real Milk,
Sally is also a journalist, chef, nutrition researcher, homemaker, and community
activist. Her four healthy children were raised on whole foods including butter,
cream, eggs and meat.
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