In a TED&Talks video, Dr. John McDougall shared the essential role of starch in maintaining human health.
Starch – “Medicine” for thousands of patients
Starch from rice, corn, potatoes, and sweet potatoes has helped heal thousands of my patients. A remarkable example is Julie Baker, a 17-year-old girl from the Bay Area who suffered from severe rheumatoid arthritis to the point where she couldn’t chase after her mother. By changing her diet, she gave up cheese, meat, and oils, switching to a starch-based diet. Surprisingly, within just seven days, her condition began to improve significantly.
Another case is Robert Cross from Sacramento, who worked in the Attorney General’s office. He struggled with a host of health issues: severe chest pain, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and obesity. When doctors suggested heart surgery, he refused and switched to a starch-based diet. As a result, he lost 60 pounds, reduced his cholesterol from 300 to 150, and cleared his arteries.
Similarly, Deb Tasic from Chicago, who suffered from severe multiple sclerosis, was bedridden for an entire month. Doctors predicted she would be wheelchair-bound within five years and potentially bedridden or deceased within ten years. However, she chose a starch-based diet, which completely transformed her life.
The journey to discovering starch-based healing
I am Dr. John McDougall, and I have spent 44 years practicing medicine in the U.S. To uncover the healing power of a starch-based diet, I had to go through years of research and practice. In 1972, I worked in Hawaii as a physician for a sugar plantation. For three years, I cared for 5,000 patients from multigenerational families of Filipino, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean descent.
I observed that the first-generation immigrants, who maintained traditional diets centered around rice and vegetables, were incredibly healthy. They did not suffer from chronic diseases like diabetes, arthritis, or cardiovascular issues. In contrast, subsequent generations, who adopted Western diets rich in meat, dairy, and oils, began to develop obesity and chronic illnesses.
Science confirms the benefits of starch
In 1975, I returned to Oahu to become a board-certified internist. During two years of research, I discovered that starch has been humanity’s primary source of nutrition for thousands of years. The Aztecs and Mayans thrived on corn, the Incas relied on potatoes, and Asians lived off rice.
Even archaeological evidence suggests that Neanderthals and pre-agricultural humans consumed starch. When people abandoned this diet for meat- and oil-heavy foods, they began developing diseases of “affluent societies” such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
The consequences of a royal diet
Throughout history, only the nobility could afford to consume large amounts of meat and dairy – a diet that made them obese and sick. Today, thanks to industrial and technological advancements, almost everyone can “eat like royalty.” Consequently, obesity, diabetes, and heart disease rates have surged, not only among adults but also children.
In the U.S., 30% of children are overweight. They face severe health issues early in life, such as atherosclerosis, arthritis, and early puberty. Similarly, many soldiers and workers are no longer fit enough to perform their duties.
Starch – The solution for a healthier society
To build a healthier society, we need to return to a starch-based diet, complemented by vegetables and fruits. This is the “human diet” – the one that has sustained billions of people throughout history, helping them maintain their physique, health, and vitality.
Changing our diet not only improves individual health but also reduces healthcare burdens, enhances productivity, and benefits society as a whole. With this simple change, we can create a healthier future for everyone.
Watch the full video HERE.
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