John A. McDougall

John A. McDougall is an American physician and author who is best known for his advocacy of a low-fat, whole foods, plant-based diet, which he refers to as the "McDougall Program". He has written several books on the subject, and his dietary approach has been the subject of numerous scientific studies.

Early life and education[edit | edit source]

McDougall was born in Michigan, United States. He received his medical degree from Michigan State University's College of Human Medicine in 1972. He completed his internship at Queen's Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1973 and his internal medicine residency at the University of Hawaii in 1976.

Career[edit | edit source]

After completing his medical training, McDougall moved to St. Helena, California, where he founded the St. Helena Hospital's McDougall Program. The program promotes a low-fat, whole foods, plant-based diet as a means of preventing and treating various health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.

McDougall has written several books on the subject of diet and health, including The McDougall Plan (1983), The McDougall Program: 12 Days to Dynamic Health (1990), and The Starch Solution (2012). His work has been featured in numerous media outlets, including the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, and CNN.

Philosophy[edit | edit source]

McDougall's dietary philosophy is based on the idea that human beings are naturally starch-eaters and that a diet high in complex carbohydrates and low in fat is optimal for health. He argues that such a diet can prevent and even reverse many common diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.

Criticism[edit | edit source]

While McDougall's dietary approach has been praised by some for its potential health benefits, it has also been criticized by others who argue that it is too restrictive and may not provide adequate nutrition. However, McDougall maintains that a well-planned plant-based diet can meet all of a person's nutritional needs.

References[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]

Official website

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