McDougall says that Vitamin D pills can be of little benefit, and some harm: “Low vitamin D levels found in the blood are a clear indication that there is a worldwide problem of sunlight deficiency. Rather than correct the problem and encourage people to expose themselves to more of this natural element, the solution has become another drug — a supplement pill sold as vitamin D.”

McDougall also reviews his five favorite articles from recent medical journals.

And, of course, recipes including Soba Miso soup, wok-stirred noodles, baked tofu, asparagus and pea salad, Spanish garbanzos and spinach, overnight multi-grain cereal, low-energy-dense soup, and sunny citrus salad dressing.

In his January newsletter, McDougall reveals the top five poisons only found in animal products.

He also promotes a new inter-dental brushing tool

As well as recipes for lentil curry soup, minestrone, quick black beans, beans and greens, and spicy garbanzos.

In his February newsletter, McDougall speaks out against early cancer detection, where he says the chance of harm outweighs any benefit.

He then invites President Bill Clinton to attend the McDougall Program: “The only solution is to allow the body to heal your steadily-progressing disease by making serious dietary changes.”

The recipes include some chef-inspired fare from their Advanced Study weekend, such as BBK Soup, Spicy Sweet Squash Stew, Red Posole, Mexican Green Quinoa, and Tangy Lime Cole Slaw.

In his December newsletter, Dr. McDougall urges all of the New Years Resolutions people to use a plan built on three decades of success: his, of course.

McDougall also provides resources for diabetic patients, urging them to get off all diabetes drugs ASAP, though lifestyle management: “By great good fortune, this same low-fat, no-cholesterol diet successfully used for diet-therapy for diabetes has been shown to prevent and treat heart and kidney disease, and prevent many common forms of cancer.”

And since the McDougall Program is all about eating good food, and not limiting yourself or starving, there are a lot of good recipes, including Beans and Greens Soup, Mika’s Rice & Beans, Gingered Baby Bok Choy, Perfect No-Oil Balsamic Dressing, and Rich Chocolate Mousse.

McDougall offers a pretty straightforward take on the recent cancer screening changes: “Physicians, screening clinics, hospitals, medical associations, and medical societies must be forced, under the penalty of law if necessary, to tell the truth: Their testing does more harm than good.”

He also weighs in on our holiday tradition of eating nuts: “These days, eating nuts is as convenient as unscrewing the lid of a glass jar, and then pouring an ounce of shelled, oil-roasted, nuts directly into your mouth. After seven chews and a swallow, in fewer than five seconds, 120 calories of fat are gulped down. Within three hours much of that fat is stored as metabolic dollars to be spent during the next famine.”

McDougall also holds back on his view of blood pressure drugs: “blood-pressure-lowering drugs function by poisoning the body in various ways.”

On the recipe front, this is a great time of year for some Three Sisters Stew (corn, beans, and squash). Yumm…

Dr. McDougall comments on Larry King show promoting prostate cancer screening: “I believe he was duped into selling for the prostate cancer businesses at the expense of men’s health on this particular evening.

And in the recipe section of this month’s newsletter, they focus on bowls, including Incan, Monk, and Mayan bowl meals.

McDougall explains why he acts the way he does.

He also encourages everyone to support a proposed new law in California that would require doctors to give patients information on how nutrition can prevent heart disease and diabetes.

This month’s recipes include a garbanzo spinach salad, an Asian vegetable noodle toss, and peanutty tofu lettuce cups.

McDougall on health and beauty: “Where have all the pretty women and handsome men gone? Over to the dark-side of dining. Good-looking people who care enough about themselves to enhance their attractiveness by spending thousands of dollars on clothes, cars, makeup, perfumes, and plastic surgery have become unsightly—sacrificing themselves for yellow and brown food that tastes of grease and salt, and smells repugnant (in my opinion). Lives are ruined by food, to the same degree, as are the lives of a smoker, alcoholic, or narcotics addict destroyed by their misguided choices. Too few people know that for free, they can have all the health that money can’t buy.”

And recipes for, among other things, chile rellenos.

And Star McDougaller Ann Wheat shares her story:

Ann Wheat from John McDougall on Vimeo.

T. Colin Campbell and Caldwell B. Esselstyn Jr. write an op-ed to Obama in the San Francisco Chronicle: “The No. 1 cause and cure of America’s health care crisis is right under your nose – it’s what you put in your mouth. Unfortunately, the scientific findings on diet and disease are marginalized by the political power of huge, mutually reinforcing commercial interests – meat, dairy, sugar, drugs and surgery. These industries are desperate to sell a solution that obscures their part in the problem. If they can convince people that the cause of our health crisis has nothing to do with eating unhealthy food, and everything to do with increasing access to drugs and surgery, Americans will spend trillions more on health care without improving their health. That’s what happens when you leave science out of public policy.”

McDougall shares the first chapter (and invites feedback) on his new book, the Starch Solution: “My recommendation for eating starches puts glazed looks on people’s faces, and many dismiss me as certifiably crazy. They think of starch as something used in the laundry to stiffen shirts.  Starch brings back memories of pasty bland-tasting goop, and white, airy Wonder Bread. Most disturbing is that nearly everyone believes starches are fattening and nutritionally inferior foods. Fortunately, common knowledge is completely wrong and the proof is right before your own eyes.”

McDougall Advanced Study Weekend attendees share their comments: “I took your challenge and attempted to gain weight over the weekend. After gorging on three delicious meals a day plus snacks between meals, I was amazed to find out I LOST two pounds!”

This month’s recipes include a triple lentil dal, soups, pea guacamole, and hopi corn and chili stew.

Time reports that “produce in the U.S. not only tastes worse than it did in your grandparents’ days, it also contains fewer nutrients — at least according to Donald R. Davis, a former research associate with the Biochemical Institute at the University of Texas, Austin. Davis claims the average vegetable found in today’s supermarket is anywhere from 5% to 40% lower in minerals (including magnesium, iron, calcium and zinc) than those harvested just 50 years ago.”

The NY Times attends the vegetarian festivals of Thailand.

Cruciferous Compound May Prevent Respiratory Inflammation: The PCRM reports that Sulforaphane, found in cruciferous vegetables including broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, and collards, may help reduce the risk of respiratory inflammation that leads to chronic diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to a new study from the University of California, Los Angeles. Study participants received escalating oral dosages of broccoli sprouts. Researchers found that those at the highest dose had up to three times as many antioxidant enzymes in their upper airway cells compared to baseline. No effect was seen in the placebo group. These protective antioxidant enzymes help fight against common environmental pollutants. (Riedl MA, Saxon A, Diaz-Sanchez D. Oral sulforaphane increases Phase II antioxidant enzymes in the human upper airway. Clin Immunol. 2009;130:244-251.)

Mushrooms Protect Against Breast Cancer: The PCRM report that mushrooms may reduce the risk of breast cancer, according to a case-control study conducted in southeast China. Researchers analyzed dietary records from more than 2,000 pre- and postmenopausal women with breast cancer and a group of matched healthy controls. Intake of fresh mushrooms (greater than or equal to 10 grams per day) and dried mushrooms (greater than or equal to 4 grams per day) decreased risk by 64 percent and 47 percent, respectively. The most commonly eaten mushroom in this study was the white button mushroom; one small white button mushroom weighs 10 grams. An additional protective effect was seen when mushrooms and green tea were both consumed. (Zhang M, Huang J, Xie X, Holman CD. Dietary intakes of mushrooms and green tea combine to reduce the risk of breast cancer in Chinese women. Int J Cancer. 2009;124:1404-1408.)

In his December newsletter, Dr. McDougall talks about the oxymoron of fat vegans: “People who have declared themselves “vegan,” have said “no” to eating all animal-derived foods. At extraordinary personal costs, many of these guardians labor tirelessly to protect the welfare of all animals. Fat vegans, however, have failed one important animal: themselves.”

McDougall also writes about his five favorite articles from recent medical journals on topics such as diabetes treatments, brain impairment from the Atkins Diet, making breast cancer disappear, the ancient human diet, and prostate cancer.

And, of course, some recipes. Two lima bean recipes? I’m sold.