Patrick Holford
Encyclopedia
Patrick Holford is a British nutritionist
/nutritional therapist and author. He appears regularly on television and radio in the UK and abroad. He has 34 books in print in 24 languages. His work promotes a wide variety of alternative medical approaches such as orthomolecular medicine
, many of which are considered pseudoscientific
by mainstream science and medicine.
Holford is also a major proponent of a low Glycemic Load diet as ideal for weight control, diabetes, heart disease and cancer prevention. Holford proposes that many chronic diseases are better treated with diet and supplements than with pharmaceutical drugs and that modern medicine has become too dependent on pharmaceutical drugs.
Holford's claims about HIV
and autism
are not in line with modern medical thought, and have been criticised for putting people in danger and damaging public health.
from the University of York
in 1979. As a psychology student, he became interested in the biochemistry of mental health problems. His research brought him in contact with Dr Carl Pfeiffer and Dr Abram Hoffer
, both of whom claimed success in treating mental illness
with nutritional therapy. However, he did not graduate from the University of York until 1979, leading critics such as HolfordWatch to challenge the veracity of his CV
.
In 1984, Holford founded the Institute for Optimum Nutrition (ION). At that institute, he has worked on nutritional approaches to clinical depression
, schizophrenia
, ADHD and eating disorder
s. In 1995, the Board of Trustees of ION (of which he was a director) awarded him an Honorary Diploma in Nutritional Therapy.
He retired as Director of ION in 1998 and was awarded ION's Award for Excellence in 2009.
He is the Chief Executive Officer and co-founder (with Professor André Tylee
of the Institute of Psychiatry
) of the special interest group that developed into Food for the Brain Foundation
, a registered charity which has the stated aim of promoting mental health through nutrition. He is also director of the Brain Bio Centre, which specializes in a nutrition-based approach to mental health
problems.
Holford is a Fellow of the British Association for Nutritional Therapy (BANT), one of a number of professional bodies that seek to represent nutritional therapists in the UK. He is also the Patron of the South African Association of Nutritional Therapy and the Irish Association of Nutritional Therapy.
Between 2007 and 2008 Holford was Visiting Professor at the University of Teeside and in 2007 was appointed as Head of Science and Education at Biocare, a nutritional supplement company.
, his support of the now struck off doctor Andrew Wakefield
, and advocating the use of "non-drug alternatives for mental health" for which he has been given an award by the Church of Scientology
-backed Citizens Commission on Human Rights
.
, the first prescribable anti-HIV drug, is potentially harmful, and proving less effective than vitamin C
" has been criticised by Ben Goldacre
. Goldacre writes that Holford based this conclusion on a non-clinical study where "you tip lots of vitamin C onto HIV-infected cells and measure a few things related to HIV replication". Goldacre notes that the paper does not compare vitamin C to AZT for efficacy. He argues that "Holford was guilty of at least incompetence in claiming that this study demonstrated vitamin C to be a better treatment than AZT." Prof David Colquhoun
argues that Holford's "advocacy of vitamin C as better than conventional drugs to treat Aids is truly scary".
Holford replied to The Guardian
newspaper that:
Goldacre replied that Dr Raxit Jariwalla is listed as a senior researcher at the Dr. Rath Research Institute in California - connected to vitamin salesman Matthias Rath
.
such as the Autism Society of America
which says: "There is no known single cause for autism...Researchers are investigating a number of theories, including the link between heredity, genetics and medical problems." and the National Autistic Society
which states: "There is currently no known 'cure' for autism."
Holford is also one of the main supporters of the hypothesis that there is a link between the MMR vaccine
and autism. This is against the overwhelming opposition to the hypothesis by the scientific community. The Wakefield et al. paper upon which this hypothesis was based has been discredited by the scientific community and 10 of the 12 co-authors have formally retracted the paper. Furthermore, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
, the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences
, the UK National Health Service
and the Cochrane Library review
have all concluded that there is no evidence of a link between the MMR vaccine and autism. (See MMR vaccine controversy
)
The Cochrane Library's systematic review also concluded that the vaccine has prevented diseases that still carry a heavy burden of death and complications, and that the lack of confidence in the vaccine has damaged public health.
Catherine Collins, chief dietician at St George's Hospital
, reported that - due to following Holford's advice to adopt a restricted diet - a young autistic
girl participating in one of Holford's experiments suffered dramatic weight loss and sleep problems. Holford has argued that the allegations result from “professional jealousy”, stating that "[t]his girl hasn't suffered. She's got better and is behaving better. Her parents are delighted with the results. It's only Catherine Collins who is not." The Independent on Sunday have since published a letter from Patrick Holford in response to this story, noting that - when placed on a less restrictive diet - the girl was able to regain the weight she lost.
against Patrick Holford's 100% Health leaflet. "On this point, the ad breached CAP Code clauses 3.1 (Substantiation), 7.1 (Truthfulness), 50.1 (Health & beauty products and therapies - General) and 50.20 (Health & beauty products and therapies - Vitamins, minerals and other food supplements)."
A previous adjudication by the ASA also went against Mr Holford.
Nutritionist
A nutritionist is a person who advises on matters of food and nutrition impacts on health. Different professional terms are used in different countries, employment settings and contexts — some examples include: nutrition scientist, public health nutritionist, dietitian-nutritionist, clinical...
/nutritional therapist and author. He appears regularly on television and radio in the UK and abroad. He has 34 books in print in 24 languages. His work promotes a wide variety of alternative medical approaches such as orthomolecular medicine
Orthomolecular medicine
Orthomolecular medicine is a form of complementary and alternative medicine that seeks to maintain health and prevent or treat diseases by optimizing nutritional intake and/or prescribing supplements...
, many of which are considered pseudoscientific
Pseudoscience
Pseudoscience is a claim, belief, or practice which is presented as scientific, but which does not adhere to a valid scientific method, lacks supporting evidence or plausibility, cannot be reliably tested, or otherwise lacks scientific status...
by mainstream science and medicine.
Holford is also a major proponent of a low Glycemic Load diet as ideal for weight control, diabetes, heart disease and cancer prevention. Holford proposes that many chronic diseases are better treated with diet and supplements than with pharmaceutical drugs and that modern medicine has become too dependent on pharmaceutical drugs.
Holford's claims about HIV
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
and autism
Autism
Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their...
are not in line with modern medical thought, and have been criticised for putting people in danger and damaging public health.
Career
Holford obtained a BSc in experimental psychologyExperimental psychology
Experimental psychology is a methodological approach, rather than a subject, and encompasses varied fields within psychology. Experimental psychologists have traditionally conducted research, published articles, and taught classes on neuroscience, developmental psychology, sensation, perception,...
from the University of York
University of York
The University of York , is an academic institution located in the city of York, England. Established in 1963, the campus university has expanded to more than thirty departments and centres, covering a wide range of subjects...
in 1979. As a psychology student, he became interested in the biochemistry of mental health problems. His research brought him in contact with Dr Carl Pfeiffer and Dr Abram Hoffer
Abram Hoffer
Abram Hoffer was a Canadian biochemist, physician and psychiatrist. Hoffer developed a theory that nutrition and vitamins may be effective treatments for schizophrenia...
, both of whom claimed success in treating mental illness
Mental illness
A mental disorder or mental illness is a psychological or behavioral pattern generally associated with subjective distress or disability that occurs in an individual, and which is not a part of normal development or culture. Such a disorder may consist of a combination of affective, behavioural,...
with nutritional therapy. However, he did not graduate from the University of York until 1979, leading critics such as HolfordWatch to challenge the veracity of his CV
Résumé
A résumé is a document used by individuals to present their background and skillsets. Résumés can be used for a variety of reasons but most often to secure new employment. A typical résumé contains a summary of relevant job experience and education...
.
In 1984, Holford founded the Institute for Optimum Nutrition (ION). At that institute, he has worked on nutritional approaches to clinical depression
Clinical depression
Major depressive disorder is a mental disorder characterized by an all-encompassing low mood accompanied by low self-esteem, and by loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities...
, schizophrenia
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by a disintegration of thought processes and of emotional responsiveness. It most commonly manifests itself as auditory hallucinations, paranoid or bizarre delusions, or disorganized speech and thinking, and it is accompanied by significant social...
, ADHD and eating disorder
Eating disorder
Eating disorders refer to a group of conditions defined by abnormal eating habits that may involve either insufficient or excessive food intake to the detriment of an individual's physical and mental health. Bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, and binge eating disorder are the most common specific...
s. In 1995, the Board of Trustees of ION (of which he was a director) awarded him an Honorary Diploma in Nutritional Therapy.
He retired as Director of ION in 1998 and was awarded ION's Award for Excellence in 2009.
He is the Chief Executive Officer and co-founder (with Professor André Tylee
André Tylee
André Tylee holds the Chair of Primary Care Mental Health at the Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London. He oversees the primary care research program for the Institute and for the Maudsley Hospital in London...
of the Institute of Psychiatry
Institute of Psychiatry
The Institute of Psychiatry is a research institution dedicated to discovering what causes mental illness and diseases of the brain. In addition, its aim is to help identify new treatments for them and ways to prevent them in the first place...
) of the special interest group that developed into Food for the Brain Foundation
Food for the Brain Foundation
The Food for the Brain Foundation is a non-profit educational campaign, created by a group of nutritionists, doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, teachers and scientists to promote the link between nutrition and mental health...
, a registered charity which has the stated aim of promoting mental health through nutrition. He is also director of the Brain Bio Centre, which specializes in a nutrition-based approach to mental health
Mental health
Mental health describes either a level of cognitive or emotional well-being or an absence of a mental disorder. From perspectives of the discipline of positive psychology or holism mental health may include an individual's ability to enjoy life and procure a balance between life activities and...
problems.
Holford is a Fellow of the British Association for Nutritional Therapy (BANT), one of a number of professional bodies that seek to represent nutritional therapists in the UK. He is also the Patron of the South African Association of Nutritional Therapy and the Irish Association of Nutritional Therapy.
Between 2007 and 2008 Holford was Visiting Professor at the University of Teeside and in 2007 was appointed as Head of Science and Education at Biocare, a nutritional supplement company.
Criticism
Holford has been the subject of criticism for his promotion of medically dubious techniques and products including hair analysisHair analysis (alternative medicine)
In mainstream scientific usage, hair analysis is the chemical analysis of a hair sample. The use of hair analysis in alternative medicine as a method of investigation to assist alternative diagnosis is controversial and its use in this manner has been opposed repeatedly by the AMA because of its...
, his support of the now struck off doctor Andrew Wakefield
Andrew Wakefield
Andrew Wakefield is a British former surgeon and medical researcher, known as an advocate for the discredited claim that there is a link between the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, autism and bowel disease, and for his fraudulent 1998 research paper in support of that claim.Four years after...
, and advocating the use of "non-drug alternatives for mental health" for which he has been given an award by the Church of Scientology
Church of Scientology
The Church of Scientology is an organization devoted to the practice and the promotion of the Scientology belief system. The Church of Scientology International is the Church of Scientology's parent organization, and is responsible for the overall ecclesiastical management, dissemination and...
-backed Citizens Commission on Human Rights
Citizens Commission on Human Rights
The Citizens Commission on Human Rights is an advocacy group established in 1969 by the Church of Scientology and psychiatrist Thomas Szasz. The group promotes several video campaigns which support views against psychiatry...
.
HIV
Holford's claim in The New Optimum Nutrition Bible that "AZTZidovudine
Zidovudine or azidothymidine is a nucleoside analog reverse-transcriptase inhibitor , a type of antiretroviral drug used for the treatment of HIV/AIDS. It is an analog of thymidine....
, the first prescribable anti-HIV drug, is potentially harmful, and proving less effective than vitamin C
Vitamin C
Vitamin C or L-ascorbic acid or L-ascorbate is an essential nutrient for humans and certain other animal species. In living organisms ascorbate acts as an antioxidant by protecting the body against oxidative stress...
" has been criticised by Ben Goldacre
Ben Goldacre
Ben Michael Goldacre born 1974 is a British science writer, doctor and psychiatrist. He is the author of The Guardian newspaper's weekly Bad Science column and a book of the same title, published by Fourth Estate in September 2008....
. Goldacre writes that Holford based this conclusion on a non-clinical study where "you tip lots of vitamin C onto HIV-infected cells and measure a few things related to HIV replication". Goldacre notes that the paper does not compare vitamin C to AZT for efficacy. He argues that "Holford was guilty of at least incompetence in claiming that this study demonstrated vitamin C to be a better treatment than AZT." Prof David Colquhoun
David Colquhoun
David Colquhoun, FRS is a British pharmacologist at University College London . He has contributed to the general theory of receptor and synaptic mechanisms of single ion channel function. He previously held the A.J. Clark chair of Pharmacology at UCL, and was the Hon. Director of the Wellcome...
argues that Holford's "advocacy of vitamin C as better than conventional drugs to treat Aids is truly scary".
Holford replied to The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
newspaper that:
"As [Goldacre] well knows, the author of the research — Dr Raxit Jariwalla — wrote to the Guardian (January 20, 2005) the last time Goldacre made this claim, to confirm that my statement is correct on the basis of two [non-clinical] studies on HIV-infected cells. The real crime here is that no full-scale human trials have been funded on vitamin C to follow up Jariwalla's important finding because it is non-patentable and hence not profitable. Goldacre seems unconcerned about the way commercial interests distort scientific research."
Goldacre replied that Dr Raxit Jariwalla is listed as a senior researcher at the Dr. Rath Research Institute in California - connected to vitamin salesman Matthias Rath
Matthias Rath
Matthias Rath is a doctor, businessman, and vitamin entrepreneur. He earned his MD degree in Germany. Rath claims that a program of nutritional supplements , including formulations that he sells, can treat or cure diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and HIV/AIDS...
.
Autism
Holford has also claimed that "We’ve learned about what it is that makes some kids develop autism and also how to bring them back." This directly contradicts organisations devoted to autismAutism
Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their...
such as the Autism Society of America
Autism Society of America
The Autism Society of America was founded in 1965 by Bernard Rimland, PhD, together with Ruth C. Sullivan and a small group of other parents of autistic children. Its original name was the National Society for Autistic Children; the name was changed to emphasize that children with autism grow up...
which says: "There is no known single cause for autism...Researchers are investigating a number of theories, including the link between heredity, genetics and medical problems." and the National Autistic Society
National Autistic Society
The National Autistic Society is a British charity for people with autistic spectrum disorders , including autism and Asperger's Syndrome. The purpose of the organisation is primarily to improve of the lives of people with Autism in the United Kingdom.Founded in 1962 as the Autistic Children's Aid...
which states: "There is currently no known 'cure' for autism."
Holford is also one of the main supporters of the hypothesis that there is a link between the MMR vaccine
MMR vaccine
The MMR vaccine is an immunization shot against measles, mumps, and rubella . It was first developed by Maurice Hilleman while at Merck in the late 1960s....
and autism. This is against the overwhelming opposition to the hypothesis by the scientific community. The Wakefield et al. paper upon which this hypothesis was based has been discredited by the scientific community and 10 of the 12 co-authors have formally retracted the paper. Furthermore, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are a United States federal agency under the Department of Health and Human Services headquartered in Druid Hills, unincorporated DeKalb County, Georgia, in Greater Atlanta...
, the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences
United States National Academy of Sciences
The National Academy of Sciences is a corporation in the United States whose members serve pro bono as "advisers to the nation on science, engineering, and medicine." As a national academy, new members of the organization are elected annually by current members, based on their distinguished and...
, the UK National Health Service
National Health Service
The National Health Service is the shared name of three of the four publicly funded healthcare systems in the United Kingdom. They provide a comprehensive range of health services, the vast majority of which are free at the point of use to residents of the United Kingdom...
and the Cochrane Library review
Cochrane Library
The Cochrane Library is a collection of databases in medicine and other healthcare specialties provided by the Cochrane Collaboration and other organisations. At its core is the collection of Cochrane Reviews, a database of systematic reviews and meta-analyses which summarize and interpret the...
have all concluded that there is no evidence of a link between the MMR vaccine and autism. (See MMR vaccine controversy
MMR vaccine controversy
The MMR vaccine controversy was a case of scientific misconduct which triggered a health scare. It followed the publication in 1998 of a paper in the medical journal The Lancet which presented apparent evidence that autism spectrum disorders could be caused by the MMR vaccine, an immunization...
)
The Cochrane Library's systematic review also concluded that the vaccine has prevented diseases that still carry a heavy burden of death and complications, and that the lack of confidence in the vaccine has damaged public health.
Catherine Collins, chief dietician at St George's Hospital
St George's Hospital
Founded in 1733, St George’s Hospital is one of the UK's largest teaching hospitals. It shares its main hospital site in Tooting, England with the St George's, University of London which trains NHS staff and carries out advanced medical research....
, reported that - due to following Holford's advice to adopt a restricted diet - a young autistic
Autism
Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their...
girl participating in one of Holford's experiments suffered dramatic weight loss and sleep problems. Holford has argued that the allegations result from “professional jealousy”, stating that "[t]his girl hasn't suffered. She's got better and is behaving better. Her parents are delighted with the results. It's only Catherine Collins who is not." The Independent on Sunday have since published a letter from Patrick Holford in response to this story, noting that - when placed on a less restrictive diet - the girl was able to regain the weight she lost.
Advertising
There has also been an adjudication by the Advertising Standards AuthorityAdvertising Standards Authority (United Kingdom)
The Advertising Standards Authority is the self-regulatory organisation of the advertising industry in the United Kingdom. The ASA is a non-statutory organisation and so cannot interpret or enforce legislation. However, its code of advertising practice broadly reflects legislation in many instances...
against Patrick Holford's 100% Health leaflet. "On this point, the ad breached CAP Code clauses 3.1 (Substantiation), 7.1 (Truthfulness), 50.1 (Health & beauty products and therapies - General) and 50.20 (Health & beauty products and therapies - Vitamins, minerals and other food supplements)."
A previous adjudication by the ASA also went against Mr Holford.
Books
- The Family Nutrition Workbook (1988)
- The Whole Health Manual: Comprehensive Guide to Nutrition and Better Health (1988)
- The Better Pregnancy Diet: The Definitive Guide to Having a Healthy Baby (1993)
- The Optimum Nutrition Bible (1997)
- Say No to Heart Disease (1998)
- Boost Your Immune System (1998)
- Balancing Hormones Naturally (1998)
- 30-Day Fatburner Diet (1999)
- 100% Health (1999)
- Beat Stress and Fatigue (1999)
- Say No to Cancer (1999)
- The Optimum Nutrition Cookbook (1999)
- Improve Your Digestion (2000)
- Say No to Arthritis (2000)
- Supplements for Superhealth (2000)
- Solve Your Skin Problems (2001)
- Six Weeks to Superhealth (2002)
- Optimum Nutrition for the Mind (2002)
- Natural Highs: Chill - 25 Ways to Stay Relaxed and Beat Stress (2003)
- Natural Highs: Energy - 25 Ways to Increase Your Energy (2003)
- The H Factor - Homocysteine - the biggest breakthrough of the century (2003)
- Boost Your Child's Immune System (2003)
- 500 Health and Nutrition Questions Answered (2004)
- New Optimum Nutrition Bible (2004)
- Optimum Nutrition Before, During and After Pregnancy (2004)
- The Alzheimer's Prevention Plan (2005)
- The Holford Low-GL Diet (2005)
- The Holford Low-GL Diet Cookbook (2005)
- Hidden Food Allergies (2005)
- The Holford Diet GL Counter (2006)
- The Holford Low-GL Diet Made Easy (2006)
- Optimum Nutrition For Your Child's Mind (2006)
- Food is Better Medicine Than Drugs (2006)
- Smart Food for Smart Kids (2007)
- New Optimum Nutrition for the Mind (2007)
- The Holford 9-Day Liver Detox (2007)
- Optimum Nutrition Made Easy: How to Achieve Optimum Health (2008)
- Optimum Nutrition For Your Child (2008)
- How to Quit without Feeling S**t: The Fast, Highly Effective Way to End Addiction to Caffeine, Sugar, Cigarettes, Alcohol, Illicit or Prescription Drugs (2008)
- Food Glorious Food: Incredibly Delicious Low-GL Recipes for Friends and Family (2008)
- The Low-GL Diet Bible by Patrick Holford (2009)
- The 10 Secrets of 100% Healthy People (2009)
- The Perfect Pregnancy Cookbook (to be published in 2010)
External links
- Patrick Holford's Website
- Food for the Brain
- The Brain Bio Centre
- Ben Goldacre's blog posts on Patrick Holford
- HolfordWatch, a critical blog
- HolfordMyths, an offshoot of Holford's main site providing answers to some of his criticisms
- Martin Walker's book on Patrick Holford and Ben Goldacre
- British Association of Nutritional Therapists
- Institute for Optimum Nutrition
- Nutritional Therapy Council