Australia’s peak medical body has slammed celebrity chef Pete Evans’ documentary The Magic Pill as “tripe” that suggests a “grand conspiracy” between Australia’s health and food industries.
The documentary, which is screening at selected cinemas around the country, follows people with chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer, as well as an autistic child, as they take on a high-fat, low-carb diet for five weeks and at the end, appear to have improved symptoms.
Australian Medical Association President Dr Michael Gannon told Mamamia the film was riddled with “anti-science” claims.
Listen: The modern ethical dilemma.
“It’s just the latest, ludicrous, anti-science claim from someone who obviously has great talent as a chef and as a TV personality, yet feels the need to step into health science from time to time,” Dr Gannon said.
He criticised the film for “invoking some kind of grand conspiracy” between the pharmaceutical industry, the food industry, the medical profession and “everyone else”.
Dr Gannon took aim at Evans’ “pet favourite” theory: that altering your diet is the best way to treat diseases. He added these suggestions were “hurtful” to those affected by these illnesses, disorders or disabilities.
“While healthy diets are part of prevention – Australians could improve their lives by putting healthier things in their mouths, there’s no doubt about that – but this idea that dietary manipulation can change the course of autism spectrum disorder or change the course of a cancer is not just ludicrous, it’s hurtful to people who are affected by these, and are worried about themselves and their loved ones.”
Top Comments
Get off Pete’s back. While I don’t agree with his approach in some instances, he is 100% correct about food = medicine and his views on what is a healthy diet for most humans.
This film states upfront it is about anecdotes. I followed the same approach and my health improved too (another anecdote, not a RCT). Millions of other anecdotes are out there too. All the naysayers will one day see they were wrong, but I guess they may never admit it.
While I subscribe to the notion that healthy eating will aid in preventing and perhaps the slowing of some diseases (I mean we really should be eating healthier), when will people learn that Pete Evans is nothing more that an over inflated chef and "reality" TV star. He has no medical knowledge and as is mentioned, some of his statements are downright dangerous.