“Forming hypotheses is one of the most precious faculties of the human mind and is necessary for the development of science. Sometimes, however, hypotheses grow like weeds and lead to confusion instead of clarification. Then one has to clear the field, so that the operational concepts can grow and function. Concepts should relate as directly as possible to observation and measurements, and be distorted as little as possible by explanatory elements.”

– Max Kleiber, The Fire of Life: An Introduction to Animal Energitics, 1961

(As cited in Gary Taubes’ Good Calories, Bad Calories)

_____________________

We live in a world filled where an inordinate number of us live in fear of making mistakes. Worse yet, we’re often afraid to admit to them once they’ve been made.

And it’s ironic, because isn’t one of the first things we tell our children, “mistakes are a blessing because of the lessons learned?”

As this pertains to the realm of health and fitness, what’s the biggest mistake we’ve made?

The low fat, high carb hypothesis.

This perpetual mistake is responsible for, at the very least, robbing people of optimal health. And despite mountains of evidence against it, despite numerous researchers openly admitting that the “low fat-complex carb” dogma is not the answer we still fail to effectively change the literature available to the masses.

Why?

Because too much money has already been spent on one area of research?

Because some of the data is too hard to collect?

Because “the authorities” are afraid of losing money/power?

Because doing so would be admitting that we’ve been doling out advice for 30 years that – while good intentioned – is wrong…. a mistake?

What happened to simply doing what’s right?

We need to find a way to effectively inform the masses that “low fat-high carb hypothesis” is not the answer. . . after we admit that the hypothesis was a mistake.

Care to discuss? Please share your comments!

Natural Health And Fitness Coach