You can google the doctors — most have blogs. The fast food industry had no part in making Fat Head. I didn’t preach moderation because I believe some foods — such as sugar — should be avoided entirely.

She’s dead now.

We’ve got a vegetarian neighbor who’s had cancer twice. I’m sure people get cancer eating all kinds of diets, but I believe if you don’t feed the tumors a load of glucose, you’re way better off.

Great story by Tom.

I like it. The words that Americans, Canadians and Mexicans use to refer to each other aren’t always so affectionate.

One interesting thing–he tried a low carb regimen as a weight loss strategy a few years back, lost weight, and felt just terrible–draggy and tired and devoid of energy. So after he lost the weight he went back to eating more carbs and felt better. We now know what was probably “wrong” was that his blood pressure had dropped significantly. But he didn’t know to expect that, not having read a book. He wasn’t monitoring, the time didn’t coincide with a doctor visit, and he was on BP meds. Wish we had made the connection then.

Blood pressure aside, it takes some people several weeks to re-adjust to burning primarily fat for fuel. In the meantime, their bodies are still trying to burn primarily glucose, which isn’t available in a large enough quantity to supply the fuel. So they go through withdrawal and feel foggy.

We have both lost weight. And we aren’t hungry all the time, the way we were when we ate more carbs, even the so-called “healthy” ones (brown rice, beans, etc.) Best of all, my husband’s blood pressure, for which he had been taking three medications, dropped 50 points (both systolic and diastolic) in about three weeks. For more than 20 years, doctors had told him there was nothing he could do to lower it but swallow the pills and endure the side effects. He’s gradually reducing the meds, feeling good, getting good BP readings, and continuing to lose weight. He is amazed. I am delighted.

This is a permanent change for us, one we are happy to make. Thank you.

That’s an amazing improvement on the blood pressure. Isn’t it a shame to think how many people are popping prescription drugs every day because their doctors know so little about nutrition?

I got into a good conversation at a bar recently. We were trying some new craft beers and one of the party bought some pork rinds, saying his arteries won’t like it but what the hey. I said “you know that’s a load of BS right”. Started to explain why and by the end the bar staff and a couple of other randoms (another Kiwi thing, random can be a noun) had tuned in. All spreading the word in NZ.

Speaking of craft beer, there is talk of blanket raising taxes on alcohol to curb binge drinking in New Zealand (because that works). Seeing as the craft beer crowd are some of the most responsible drinkers around (really are role models for drinking responsibly) and the tax raises would effectively hobble the industry, raises on craft beer would seem to pervert the point. If you want to support good beer, inventiveness and entrepeneurship then sign this petition.

Taxes like that give me the colly wobbles.

For many years too, I have suffered heart-burn and indigestion… gall bladder problems resulting in its removal… and most recently I was diagnosed with Barrett’s disease which can lead to esophageal cancer and most likely a miserable death.

I’m setting the scene here, so bear with me For almost 15 years I have relied heavily on Losec (Omeprazole), Motilium (Domperidone) and OTC antacids. Through those years I did try to limit the antacid use, fearing a rebound reaction, but once I was diagnosed with Barrett’s, I didn’t care how many Antacids I sucked on. The acid was going to be suppressed no matter the chance of other consequences.

So finally, here’s the kicker for you. We changed our diet to lo-carb around 8 weeks ago after we watched “Fat Head” on the Documentary Channel. Since the diet change I haven’t had the need for an antacid – none – zip – nada. Not a single glug from the bottle of liquid antacid, not a chew on a tablet, nor a nibble around the edge. Frankly – we are gobsmacked (charming Kiwi phrase, don’t you think?) I have also lost 6 of the 8lbs, so I’m pretty pleased about that… but Tom even if my weight remained the same, to lose the reliance on those darned antacids, has been MY life-changing event. And it’s all down to you Tom – my HERO!

We have since gone on to buy the books associated with the many medical professionals in your movie. We are also promoting the lo-carb diet to anyone who shows an ounce of interest… recommending your website… talking to people about Statins (you may recall Allan is a Pharmacist) and putting the word out to the medical professionals with whom we come into contact. Sure, a lot of the time it’s an uphill battle. I regularly allow myself a satisfying mental rolling-of-the-eyes when I hear and see the BS that abounds…….. Anyway Tom, a heart-felt thankyou, and a huge cyber-hug from me. xx

I’ll take all the cyberhugs I can get. And I love “gobsmacked.” Wonder if I can use it around here without people thinking I’m … what’s a Kiwi word for “crazy”?

I believe I may have been in touch with Allan about contributing to a Meet the Fatheads post.

I agree with you. It’s a kick to hear from people who changed their diets from watching Fat Head. I’m hoping to hear more of them.

Taubes knew when he was writing GCBC he’d have to choose between making it consumer-friendly or scientifically dense enough to convince the white-coat crowd. To his credit, he decided he needed to convince the medical experts first. He’s working on a consumer-friendly version now.

I’ve got more stories from converted Fatheads up my sleeve.