On Tuesday evening, WP and Nicole hosted our Vice President, Emeritus Prof Tim Noakes (1966W) at the Mitre. Tim is the author of a number of books, including the Lore of Nutrition, which was the subject matter of his presentation.
 
In December 2010, Tim was introduced to a way of eating that was contrary to everything he'd been taught, and was accepted as conventional nutrition "wisdom". After having observed the benefits of the low carbohydrate, high-fat diet, and after understanding the scientific basis of that approach to eating, he revealed his findings to the public in 2012. The backlash from his colleagues was swift and brutal. In 2014 he was reported to the Health Professions Council of South Africa, and charged with unprofessional conduct.
 
Tim spoke about how he came to discover that his previous support of a high carbohydrate diet was misplaced, and his scientific research showing that a high-fat diet is beneficial to human health. He also spoke about the collusion and backroom manoeuvring between leading members of the dietetics profession, his academic colleagues and the HPCSA which led to his disciplinary hearing, which lasted for 27 days, over approximately 3 years. After being found not guilty on all 10 elements of the charge, the HPCSA appealed the decision of its own disciplinary committee in February this year. The appeal decision ought to have been handed down on 23 March 2018, however it remains outstanding. Intriguing indeed.
 
Tim spoke movingly about how his wife Marilyn supported him through the darkest days of the trial. Tim also paid tribute to his legal team, Adv Michael van der Nest SC, Adv Dr Ravin Ramdass and Adam Pike (1992O), and to his expert witnesses, Dr Zoe Harcombe, Dr Caryn Zinn and Nina Teicholz.
 
The Lore of Nutrition explains the science behind a low carb high fat diet, and explains why Tim supports the lifestyle, despite the constant persecution and efforts to silence him. The book details at length what Tim has come to see as a medical and scientific code of silence that discourages anyone in the medical profession from speaking out against the current dietary guidelines. If you would like to purchase a copy of the Lore of Nutrition, click here. Tim has donated his royalties to The Noakes Foundation and its Eat Better South Africa! initiative. If you would like to read further about the trials, tribulations intrigues and background to Tim's persecution, you would do well to read the blog by Tim's co-author, Marika Sboros.