Thursday, January 19, 2012

Thank you, Paula Dean

Rule #1 in healthcare: don't try to fool Mother Nature.

The telegenic and endearing celebrity chef Paula Dean is herself a victim of the American diet. Too many calories? Check. Too much saturated fat? Check. A disproportionate amount of refined sugars without accompanying exercise? Check. Cook for 5-10 years (the time diabetes remains "silent" yet causes 60% of its eventual cardiovascular damage). Serves one.

Paula Dean's recipes may be unique but her biochemistry is similar to everyone else's. Unknown to her and apparently her physicians, she passed through the relative calm of insulin resistance. Then three years ago, her blood sugar rose above 126mg and diabetes "suddenly" appeared. The HIPAA laws prevented this information from leaking out to her fans, but now that she has appeared on national television in a selfless act of contrition, all is forgiven.

Except of course by the small arteries in her heart, brain, and kidneys. On the other hand, a profitable relationship with a new sponsor seems a good fit--it's as all-American as any of her recipes. I have been pleased to endorsed diet plans, nutritionists, personal trainers, and vitamin supplements that are health-promoting. If a physician told an obese patient to eat pecan pie, fried chicken--let's not go there.

But in a crazy way, Paula Dean may have contributed an important service. And it's therefore up to the American public, 67% of whom are struggling with weight issues, not merely to marvel at the complexity of these media/medical/ethical issues but to look inwardly for healthcare. Paula Dean is a lovely, talented, and inspiring chef--but you can't fool Mother Nature.