A Harvard professor who claimed coconut oil is poison has today been slammed as talking 'unscientific nonsense' by a furious cardiologist.
Professor Karin Michels, who also heads the tumour research center at the University of Freiburg in Germany, made the controversial statement last month. She described the oil as 'one of the worst foods you can eat' - and said even lard is healthier, despite being abundant in saturated fat.
But Dr Aseem Malhotra, an avid supporter of saturated fats and founder of the campaign group Action on Sugar, said her comments were bringing the prestigious Harvard University into 'disrepute'.
In a scathing video recorded for MailOnline, the NHS cardiologist, who used to work at Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey, called on her to apologise for her 'entirely false' claim and to retract it.
Speaking exclusively to Asian Voice, Dr Malhotra said: “As a qualified doctor for more than 17 years and as a cardiologist whose primary duty is to my patients and scientific integrity I was disturbed by recent claims by a Harvard Professor that “coconut oil is pure poison.
“Having spent many years researching and publishing on the impact on diet and health I can tell you that this claim is categorically false and coconut oil can be very much part of a healthy diet.
“Only earlier this year a randomised study carried out by Cambridge University researchers compared the effects on cholesterol profile of consuming 50g a day of butter, olive oil and coconut oil. Not only did coconut oil have no effect on so called bad cholesterol (LDL) but it raised good cholesterol (HDL) in comparison to olive oil over 4 weeks.
“And in terms of long term effect of saturated fat ( coconut oil is highest in saturated fat) the totality of up to date evidence reveals there is no long term adverse effect on development of heart disease or increased risk of death.
“Last year myself and two eminent cardiologists published an editorial in the British Journal of Sports Medicine making it very clear that “saturated fat does not clog the arteries”.
“So if you want to really look after your heart our message was one of following simple lifestyle changes; following a diet that is low in sugar and ultra-processed foods, walking 30 minutes and day, meditation and getting a good sleep.
