Day 034 - 11 Oct 94 - Page 66


     
     1        questions about that sentence.  Do you say that there is
     2        no respectable body of medical opinion which still
     3        promotes the use of fish oils for the benefit of human
     4        health?
     5        A.  No, I am not suggesting that.
     6
     7   Q.   What do you mean or did you mean by the words "that were
     8        once in vogue"?
     9        A.  There was a particular fad of consuming capsules of
    10        fish oil, particularly, to reduce the risk of
    11        cardiovascular disease, and that seems to have subsided to
    12        a degree.
    13
    14   Q.   My second question, and perhaps more important,
    15        Dr. Barnard, is this:  Are you by this sentence trying to
    16        create a fear in the minds of your readers that if they
    17        consume fish oils they may get cancer?
    18        A.  No.
    19
    20   Q.   You are not?  Then please explain to me what is the
    21        purpose of that sentence?
    22        A.  Regrettably, because of a substantial body of research
    23        suggesting that, in fact, there are benefits from the use
    24        of fish oils in certain conditions, some people have taken
    25        that to mean that consuming concentrated fish oils
    26        supplements should be a general recommendation.  There is
    27        also a body of literature showing that, due to their
    28        chemical structure, fish oils tend to encourage the
    29        production of free radicals.  I have made a couple of
    30        references here that people ought to be aware of that.
    31        Moreover, that while fish oils do have a role in the
    32        treatment of certain conditions, I am not encouraging that
    33        people rely on them for health.  I think there are
    34        disadvantages from fish.  That is the thrust of this, that
    35        people are to -----
    36
    37   Q.   There is a body of evidence, is there not, quite a body of
    38        evidence, which holds that the consumption of what in this
    39        country we call the n-3 fatty acids -- what I think you
    40        call omega 3s -- actually inhabits the promotion of
    41        malignant tumours?
    42        A.  There is a body of experimental evidence that shows,
    43        yes, that is correct.
    44
    45   Q.   What I am asking you is this:  Why is that not mentioned
    46        in this book?
    47        A.  In a single volume -- the point of this volume is to
    48        describe the New Four Food Groups and how to use it.  I am
    49        not one who suggests fish oil supplementation.  I did not
    50        see that as part of the scope of this book. 
    51 
    52   Q.   I perfectly well accept that, but there is not an argument 
    53        against fish oil supplementation; this is an argument
    54        against fish, is it not?
    55        A.  In this section ----
    56
    57   Q.   Foods to avoid, fish?
    58        A.  Yes.  I have brought -- well, the sentence you brought
    59        to my attention describes fish oils, but there are also
    60        serious health risks regarding fish, particularly those

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