Readers’ Views Criticism of Noakes’s dietary guidelines is hard to swallow

IN “Specialists slam Noakes over cholesterol claim” (November 16), medical specialists Derick Raal, David Marais, Larry Distiller and Anthony Dalby “slammed” medical specialist Tim Noakes for being an advocate of low carb high fat (LCHF), which they appear to view with suspicion, and for his cautioning people about the use of statins.

They appear to do their slamming without also acknowledging the existence of a substantial body of high-quality research that supports his position. This means that the medical specialists may themselves be guilty of bad science. Science mandates scepticism — especially with regard to one’s own position.

This month, 26 eminent scientists published a review article in the prestigious journal Nutrition, in which they argue convincingly for a reappraisal of dietary guidelines in light of the substantial and growing body of evidence supporting carbohydrate restriction, not only for diabetes but also for other diseases of the metabolic syndrome.

This review article cites another 99 research articles relevant to the low-carb hypothesis. To say that the evidence supporting LCHF is lacking is thus simply disingenuous.

The Sunday Times article states that the medical specialists are unanimous in affirming that “low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is the main risk for coronary artery disease”. But they have failed to tell readers that not all LDL cholesterol is “bad cholesterol”.

LDL cholesterol is made up of differentsized particles and current thinking is that it is the small, dense particles of LDL cholesterol that are especially harmful, whereas the large fluffy or buoyant particles are relatively harmless.

What is really interesting in terms of the LCHF debate is that an increased consumption of fat is associated with the production of large, relatively harmless particles of LDL cholesterol, while sugar and other refined carbohydrates are associated with a preponderance of the small, dense and potentially harmful particles.

It is also important to remember that cholesterol itself is not some “demonic” substance oozing from the fat of a lamb chop whose only function is to clog up our arteries.

Cholesterol is, to start with, an essential component of the cell membrane of all the cells in the body, where, among other things, it protects the cell from oxidative damage. And then there is cholesterol’s role in brain function. While the brain makes up about 2% of body mass, it contains around 25% of our cholesterol. Makes one think, doesn’t it?

With regard to two important statin-related questions: are they effective and, importantly, are they safe to use? A review of the medical literature reveals that the answers to these questions are less than certain. — Peter Hill, PhD, Dip Pharm

Dangers of an empty building

“STEALING a school, a brick at a time” (November 16) refers. As much as I do not support the theft of the school, the Department of Education is the one to be blamed because that building, unused, is a danger to the community. People can be raped, killed and dumped there. The department can help by destroying the building. — Phumla Faku, Port Elizabeth

Nkandla’s exorbitant price

SO much focus on the name Nkandla, so much focus on the president’s involvement, that we ignore the facts behind Nkandla. It is an upgrade.

“R1-billion for the finest homes the Cape can offer” (November 16) contains a list of expensive properties. If we leave out the vacant plot, and only bought the top nine houses for sale in the Cape, we would have R13.6-million change. At these prices you get land and buildings, not just an upgrade; R246-million is a lot of money for an upgrade.

The opposition parties should have R246-million in fake R10 bills printed and

It’s about balance of power

DEPUTY Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke has hit the nail on the head in “Is our president too powerful?” (November 16), in his averments that dispersal of public power may have to be revisited.

The essence of constitutional democracy is balance of power and entrenched checks and balances to prevent concentration of power in one person. Balance of power pertains not only to the spheres of governance, but, more importantly, to issues of leadership too. The notion of collective leadership resonates with the principle of unity in diversity that underpins our constitution.

There is a strong case for dispersal of power in a scenario where the president is not directly elected by the people. US President Barack Obama is correct in his belief that the 21st century will belong to nations that put their faith in strong institutions rather than strong men and women. A shift in the dispersal of public power will deliver a mortal blow to corruption and patronage. Public representatives will be liberated from the trappings of patronage and become genuine servants of the people. — Mzukisi Gaba, Cape Town

Moseneke’s comments biased

I ADMIRE Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke’s incisive legal mind, but he often loses it when he writes brought to parliament for ANC members to see and understand that this is not just a figure — it represents a percentage of hard earnings, money that you and I worked for. And then the minister of finance alludes to the fact that he might have to raise taxes — it truly becomes time for a tax revolution. — Hannes Jansen, Montagu

In defence of Khoza

GORDON Upton is wrong (Readers’ Views, November 16) to blame Dr Irvin Khoza. He said players sleep around, he never said it’s OK. He never said they don’t make awareness campaigns. Players need to be responsible for their actions, not their boss. — Sisi, Soweto

Victim of Kgadima

THANKS for your exposure of Tshepo Kgadima in “New PetroSA boss shocks ANC veteran” (November 16). I am one of many others in Limpopo who fell prey to this man. I hope your exposé will help us get our money back, or at the least expose the man for who he is. — Pat Maisela ka Mdluli, by SMS

Dark future with Eskom

MM Koko’s letter “Blame Eskom’s old assets” (November 16 ) refers. After 1994, Eskom, quite rightly, set about providing electricity to those previously without. However, Eskom got the money to do this by means of killing off its ongoing power station building programme, and spending all its money on the distribution network.

To build a 6x600MW station takes about five years, so Eskom has had time to build at least four such stations (Medupi and Kusile will have larger units).

Medupi and Kusile are not too little, but are proving to be very nearly too late. Due to the lack of spare capacity, Eskom cannot take units offline to carry out the usual spring/summer — low demand period — maintenance. Lord help us next winter. Mr Koko’s letter is a cop-out. — Frank A Desmond, by e-mail

Safa offside over Mahlangu

“MAHLANGU: over and out, says Safa” (November 16) refers.

Dennis Mumble qualifies to be May Mahlangu’s grandfather, but the manner in which he has handled this saga leaves much to be desired, especially for someone in his position. LEGAL MIND: Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke about someone he does not like. Such is reflected in his speech printed in your newspaper. Who else should appoint these people and which other democracy uses the mode he prefers? In the absence of such examples, one wonders why he is raising this at all. — Thabiso More, by SMS

It didn’t bother him then

Emotions superseded rationality. We should not allow our organisation to be run by people who will take decisions without applying their minds. We need players such as Mahlangu in our national team and there should be a thorough investigation before Safa bans the player. We should guard against setting a wrong precedent. — Attorney, Pretoria

Sympathy for Steenkamps

“I FELT utterly sick. This was my daughter’s blood” (November 16) refers. I’m glad June has written the book about her daughter Reeva. It will help her and Barry heal. It’s too soon to just get on with their lives. If this is their way of dealing with their loss, then so be it. Reeva’s death is a huge loss and devastating tragedy. My heart goes out to June and Barry. No parent should have to lose a child under such horrific circumstances. — Jenny, Jeffreys Bay

In praise of Ebrahim

IT is a great pity that Rudolf Mastenbroek seeks to discredit the tortured in “How do you tell a man his courage has run out?” (November 16), and does not write about the torturers and askaris whom Jacob Dlamini writes about so sensitively.

Instead of telling readers about the poignant stories that Dlamini has recorded in his book Askari, he sets out to denigrate Ebrahim Ebrahim, the guest speaker at the book launch.

When Mastenbroek’s grandfather arrived in South Africa, Ebrahim was already an anti-apartheid activist and a decade later was one of the first members of Umkhonto weSizwe to be arrested and imprisoned for 15 years on Robben Island. After serving his sentence, he led the ANC underground structures based in Swaziland, where he was kidnapped in 1986 by the apartheid national intelligence services.

Ebrahim was thrown into the boot of a car and brought back to South Africa, where he was tortured and sentenced to a further 20 years on Robben Island. One of his comrades turned askari and helped the security police to interrogate him. Ebrahim served six years and was released in 1991 when he won his appeal. All in all he served 20 years in prison.

Ebrahim has demonstrated courage all his life. What sacrifices are you making for South Africa, Mr Mastenbroek?— Zubeida Jaffer, by e-mail CAN Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke tell us honestly when the powers of the president in democracy became too powerful? Were the same powers vested in all previous presidents? Why did it not bother him then? When you were appointed as a member of the Constitutional Court, who appointed you and were the powers of the one who appointed you too much? — Niklos, by SMS

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