Day 014 - 20 Jul 94 - Page 75
1 October 1985, is that a statement so far as can you
recollect the state of knowledge at that time, that you
2 would agree with?
A. Yes, I would.
3
Q. "The effect of the total amount of fats, particularly
4 saturated fats on increasing blood cholesterol is
generally believed to be important. Hence, current advice
5 is to reduce the total intake fat in the diet but also to
replace some of the saturated fats from vegetable oils and
6 fatty fish." Was that a correct statement so far as you
can you remember at that time?
7 A. Yes, at that time it would have been, although it
would be slightly different today.
8
Q. Can you turn to page 5. I read you that bit about heart
9 disease and saturated fat and raised serum cholesterol
levels. Now I want to read you this passage at the top of
10 page 51 in the left-hand column and ask you a different
question: "In recent years doctors and nutritionists have
11 also become aware of other important factors in healthy
eating. There is a considerable amount of evidence to
12 suggest that many of the diseases which are more common in
the Western affluent world, diseases such as obesity,
13 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and
some forms of cancer are related to diet. The typical
14 Western diet is relatively low in dietary fibre roughage
and high in fat, salt and sugar."
15
First of all, Professor Wheelock, as a statement of the
16 state of knowledge in 1985 or thereabouts, does that
strike you as being fair and accurate?
17 A. Yes. I think that is perfectly reasonable. I would
emphasise that it is just commenting on the relationship
18 between these diseases and diet. It is not making any
comment on the role of different constituents in the diet.
19
Q. What I was going to do, perhaps it is unnecessary because
20 in the end it is entirely a matter for his Lordship, was
to ask you whether you saw any distinction between the
21 wording of that passage and the wording of the passage
I first read you on page 49, but I think you have already
22 identified it.
A. Well, I think the statement on page 49 is much more
23 specific in the sense it identifies individual nutrients,
whereas the one on page 51 is rather general.
24
MR. RAMPTON: My Lord, those are the all questions I have to
25 ask Professor Wheelock at this stage.
26 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Yes. You would rather start in the
morning?
27
MR. MORRIS: Yes.
28
MR. JUSTICE BELL: I think that would be sensible. Thank you,
29 Professor Wheelock. If you would be kind enough to come
back when we resume at 10.30.
30
MR. RAMPTON: Your Lordship, did float the suggestion the other
