Inventor of the Cambridge Diet and acclaimed researcher dies aged 91 after cancer battle
THE pioneer of the world-famous weight-loss plan The Cambridge Diet has died from cancer at the age of 91.
Dr Alan Howard invented the formula diet, aimed at helping morbidly obese patients lose weight, during the 1970s, in the middle of his impressive 37-year career at Cambridge University.
The diet, which allowed people to consume their daily requirements of vitamins and minerals without exceeding 450 calories, took six years of research, between 1973 and 1979.
Working alongside his brother Roger, Dr Howard launched the revolutionary Cambridge Diet in 1984, and created the Cambridge Manufacturing Company at the same time to market the diet.
His years of research saw him awarded an Honorary Fellowship in October
2019 from Waterford Institute of Technology in Ireland, having worked there with Dr John Nolan.
His legacy also includes The Howard Foundation, which Dr Howard set up with his son Jon in 1982 to provide biomedical research in the fields of obesity, nutrition and key areas of health.
The Howard Foundation has made significant donations to Downing College Cambridge.
And, in 2009, Dr Howard was awarded the Chancellor’s 800th Anniversary Medal for outstanding philanthropy, presented by Prince Philip at Buckingham Palace.
Dr Howard’s contributions to
Cambridge University were also recognised.
In 1948, he won a place at Downing College Cambridge to read Natural Sciences. The following year, he was awarded an exhibition, and he graduated in 1951.
He then worked in the department of medicine and was awarded his PHD in 1955. His subsequent career at the university spanned an impressive 37 years, until 1992.
Following work on atherosclerosis and obesity, he became secretary to the newly formed Obesity Association in 1967.
Today, a number of areas of the university’s campus are named after him – Howard Lodge, Howard Building and the Howard Theatre, all of which sit in part of the site known as Howard Court.
Dr Howard died on June 24 in his holiday home in Cannes, France, after a long battle with cancer.
He is survived by his son, Jon Howard, and his daughter, Julie Lambert – both trustees of the Howard Foundation.
His funeral will take place today at 1pm. The service will be live-streamed.
Donations to the family can be made: justgiving. com/crowdfunding/ in-memory-of-dr-howard.