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'''''What the Health''''' is a 2017 [[documentary film]] which critiques the health impact of meat and dairy products consumption, and questions the practices of the leading health and pharmaceutical organizations. Its primary purpose is to advocate for a [[plant-based diet]].
'''''What the Health''''' is a 2017 [[documentary film]] which critiques the health impact of meat and dairy products consumption, and questions the practices of the leading health and pharmaceutical organizations. Its primary purpose is to advocate for a [[plant-based diet]].


The documentary has been highly criticized by a number of medical doctors,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zdoggmd.com/what-the-health/|title=A Doctor Watches “What The Health”|author=Zubin Damania MD|authorlink=Zubin Damania|date=|website=ZDoggMD|publisher=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729002241/http://zdoggmd.com/what-the-health|archive-date=July 29, 2017|dead-url=no|access-date=August 3, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/what-the-health-a-movie-with-an-agenda/|title=What the Health: A Movie with an Agenda|author=Hall MD, Harriet|authorlink=Harriet A. Hall|date=11 July 2017|website=[[Science-Based Medicine]]|publisher=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729012505/https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/what-the-health-a-movie-with-an-agenda/|archive-date=July 29, 2017|dead-url=no|access-date=}}</ref> [[Nutritionist|nutritionists]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vegan.com/posts/vegan-dietitian-review-what-the-health/|title=A Vegan Dietitian Reviews “What the Health”|author=Messina [[Professional degrees of public health|MPH]], [[Dietitian|RD]], Virginia|date=|website=Vegan.com|publisher=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729002441/https://www.vegan.com/posts/vegan-dietitian-review-what-the-health/|archive-date=July 29, 2017|dead-url=no|access-date=August 3, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smartnutrition.ca/nutrition-2/what-the-health-review-good-bad-ugly/|title=what the health review – the good, the bad, and the ugly|author=Penner [[Dietitian|RD]]. Jessica|date=|website=Smart Nutrition|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729024130/https://www.smartnutrition.ca/nutrition-2/what-the-health-review-good-bad-ugly/|archive-date=July 29, 2017|dead-url=no|access-date=August 3, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/diet/nutritionist-susie-burrell-reviews-netflixs-new-documentary-what-the-health/news-story/6bf4535413ffa0d08c3d1379af5c85cc |title=Nutritionist Susie Burrell reviews Netflix's new documentary What The Health |author=Susie Burrell |date=July 21, 2017 |website=news.com.au}}</ref> and [[Investigative journalism|investigative journalists]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2017/7/25/16018658/what-the-health-documentary-review-vegan-diet |title=Debunking What the Health, the buzzy new documentary that wants you to be vegan: The film on Netflix mischaracterizes what we know about food and disease. |author=Julia Belluz |date=July 25, 2017 |publisher=''[[Vox (website)|Vox]]''}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dietdoctor.com/health-review-health-claims-backed-no-solid-evidence|title='What the Health' Review: Health Claims Backed by No Solid Evidence - Diet Doctor|date=18 July 2017|publisher=}}</ref> for what they describe as [[Correlation does not imply causation|confusing causation with correlation]], [[cherry picking]] science studies, using [[bias|biased]] sources, distorting study findings, and using "weak-to-non-existent data".
The documentary has been highly criticized by a number of medical doctors,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zdoggmd.com/what-the-health/|title=A Doctor Watches “What The Health”|author=Zubin Damania MD|authorlink=Zubin Damania|date=|website=ZDoggMD|publisher=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729002241/http://zdoggmd.com/what-the-health|archive-date=July 29, 2017|dead-url=no|access-date=August 3, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/what-the-health-a-movie-with-an-agenda/|title=What the Health: A Movie with an Agenda|author=Hall MD, Harriet|authorlink=Harriet A. Hall|date=11 July 2017|website=[[Science-Based Medicine]]|publisher=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729012505/https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/what-the-health-a-movie-with-an-agenda/|archive-date=July 29, 2017|dead-url=no|access-date=}}</ref> [[Nutritionist|nutritionists]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vegan.com/posts/vegan-dietitian-review-what-the-health/|title=A Vegan Dietitian Reviews “What the Health”|author=Messina [[Professional degrees of public health|MPH]], [[Dietitian|RD]], Virginia|date=|website=Vegan.com|publisher=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729002441/https://www.vegan.com/posts/vegan-dietitian-review-what-the-health/|archive-date=July 29, 2017|dead-url=no|access-date=August 3, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smartnutrition.ca/nutrition-2/what-the-health-review-good-bad-ugly/|title=what the health review – the good, the bad, and the ugly|author=Penner [[Dietitian|RD]]. Jessica|date=|website=Smart Nutrition|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729024130/https://www.smartnutrition.ca/nutrition-2/what-the-health-review-good-bad-ugly/|archive-date=July 29, 2017|dead-url=no|access-date=August 3, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/diet/nutritionist-susie-burrell-reviews-netflixs-new-documentary-what-the-health/news-story/6bf4535413ffa0d08c3d1379af5c85cc |title=Nutritionist Susie Burrell reviews Netflix's new documentary What The Health |author=Susie Burrell |date=July 21, 2017 |website=news.com.au}}</ref> and [[Investigative journalism|investigative journalists]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2017/7/25/16018658/what-the-health-documentary-review-vegan-diet |title=Debunking What the Health, the buzzy new documentary that wants you to be vegan: The film on Netflix mischaracterizes what we know about food and disease. |author=Julia Belluz |date=July 25, 2017 |publisher=''[[Vox (website)|Vox]]''}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dietdoctor.com/health-review-health-claims-backed-no-solid-evidence|title='What the Health' Review: Health Claims Backed by No Solid Evidence - Diet Doctor|date=18 July 2017|publisher=}}</ref> for what they describe as [[Correlation does not imply causation|confusing causation with correlation]], [[cherry picking]] science studies, using [[bias|biased]] sources, distorting study findings, and using "weak-to-non-existent data."


==Synopsis==
==Synopsis==
Line 70: Line 70:


==Reception==
==Reception==
On July 3, 2017 [[Doctor of Medicine|medical doctor]] and founder of [[Turntable Health]], [[Zubin Damania]] acting in his [[ZDoggMD]] persona, reviewed ''What the Health'' on his YouTube channel. Damania agreed with the documentary's assertion that a diet heavy in [[processed food]] was associated with negative health effects<ref name = Damania/>{{rp|0:50}} and that the [[Food and Drug Administration]] sometimes offered "stupid nutrition recommendations" regarding recommending a uniform solution for everyone.<ref name = Damania/>{{rp|9:35}} However, he also commented in detail on what he characterized as frequent [[confirmation bias]] and cherry picking of selected data, as well as the oversimplification of complex health issues and rampant misinformation which he observed in the documentary.<ref name = Damania/>{{rp|5:40}} He also highlighted what he saw as the ridiculous claim made of "[[institutionalized racism]]" on the part of the dairy industry.<ref name = Damania/>{{rp|9:00}} Damania concluded in exasperation: "that was the stupidest [expletive] thing I've ever seen... I feel like I've lost [expletive] brain cells."<ref name = Damania>{{cite web|last1=Damania|first1=Zubin|authorlink= Zubin Damania|title=A Doctor Watches "What The Health"|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&persist_app=1&noapp=1&v=skIGCoopR-g|website=Youtube.com|accessdate=9 July 2017}}; note that expletives were censored with beeps in Damania's review.</ref>
On July 3, 2017, [[Doctor of Medicine|medical doctor]] and founder of [[Turntable Health]], [[Zubin Damania]], acting in his [[ZDoggMD]] persona, reviewed ''What the Health'' on his YouTube channel. Damania agreed with the documentary's assertion that a diet heavy in [[processed food]] was associated with negative health effects<ref name = Damania/>{{rp|0:50}} and that the [[Food and Drug Administration]] sometimes offered "stupid nutrition recommendations" regarding recommending a uniform solution for everyone.<ref name = Damania/>{{rp|9:35}} However, he also commented in detail on what he characterized as frequent [[confirmation bias]] and cherry picking of selected data, as well as the oversimplification of complex health issues and rampant misinformation which he observed in the documentary.<ref name = Damania/>{{rp|5:40}} He also highlighted what he saw as the ridiculous claim made of "[[institutionalized racism]]" on the part of the dairy industry.<ref name = Damania/>{{rp|9:00}} Damania concluded in exasperation: "that was the stupidest [expletive] thing I've ever seen... I feel like I've lost [expletive] brain cells."<ref name = Damania>{{cite web|last1=Damania|first1=Zubin|authorlink= Zubin Damania|title=A Doctor Watches "What The Health"|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&persist_app=1&noapp=1&v=skIGCoopR-g|website=Youtube.com|accessdate=9 July 2017}}; note that expletives were censored with beeps in Damania's review.</ref>


Joel Khan, a [[cardiologist]] featured in the film responded to ZDoggMD's video via a Medium article titled "''Why ZDoggMD and His Toilet Humor Are Best Flushed and Forgotten''".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://medium.com/@Kahn642/why-zdoggmd-and-his-toilet-humor-are-best-flushed-and-forgotten-8c1c428cd8|title=Why ZDoggMD and His Toilet Humor Are Best Flushed and Forgotten|last=Kahn|first=Joel|date=2017-07-06|website=Medium|access-date=2017-07-14}}</ref> Medical doctor Garth Davis, who was featured in the film, addressed ZDogg's criticism via his official Facebook page, referring to the [[European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition|EPIC]] and [[Adventist Health Studies]] as well as other sources to reiterate that "meat consumption is strongly correlated with diabetes".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/drgarth/videos/1540668682620701/|title=Dr. Garth Davis|website=www.facebook.com|language=en|access-date=2017-07-14}}</ref>
Joel Khan, a [[cardiologist]] featured in the film, responded to ZDoggMD's video via a Medium article titled "''Why ZDoggMD and His Toilet Humor Are Best Flushed and Forgotten''".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://medium.com/@Kahn642/why-zdoggmd-and-his-toilet-humor-are-best-flushed-and-forgotten-8c1c428cd8|title=Why ZDoggMD and His Toilet Humor Are Best Flushed and Forgotten|last=Kahn|first=Joel|date=2017-07-06|website=Medium|access-date=2017-07-14}}</ref> Medical doctor Garth Davis, who was featured in the film, addressed ZDogg's criticism via his official Facebook page, referring to the [[European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition|EPIC]] and [[Adventist Health Studies]] as well as other sources to reiterate that "meat consumption is strongly correlated with diabetes".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/drgarth/videos/1540668682620701/|title=Dr. Garth Davis|website=www.facebook.com|language=en|access-date=2017-07-14}}</ref>


On July 11, 2017 medical doctor [[Harriet Hall]], known as the SkepDoc, reviewed the documentary on [[Science-Based Medicine]]. Her opinion was summarized as follows: "'What the Health' espouses the fairy tale that all major diseases... can be prevented and cured by eliminating meat and dairy from the diet. It is a blatant [[polemic]] for [[veganism]], biased and misleading, and is not a reliable source of scientific information." At the end of her article she concludes by asserting positive aspects of a plant based diet with "There are undisputed health advantages to a plant-based diet..." and "We as a society should eat more plant foods..." but counterpoints this with "...the evidence is insufficient to recommend that everyone adopt a vegan diet" and "we needn’t entirely reject all animal foods". Finally she recommends moderation in all things.<ref name="Hall">{{cite web|last1=Hall|first1=Harriet|authorlink=Harriet Hall|title=What the Health: A Movie with an Agenda|url=https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/what-the-health-a-movie-with-an-agenda/|website=Sciencebasedmedicine.org|publisher=Science Based Medicine|accessdate=11 July 2017}}</ref>
On July 11, 2017, medical doctor [[Harriet Hall]], known as the SkepDoc, reviewed the documentary on [[Science-Based Medicine]]. Her opinion was summarized as follows: "'What the Health' espouses the fairy tale that all major diseases... can be prevented and cured by eliminating meat and dairy from the diet. It is a blatant [[polemic]] for [[veganism]], biased and misleading, and is not a reliable source of scientific information." At the end of her article she concludes by asserting positive aspects of a plant based diet with "There are undisputed health advantages to a plant-based diet..." and "We as a society should eat more plant foods..." but counterpoints this with "...the evidence is insufficient to recommend that everyone adopt a vegan diet" and "we needn’t entirely reject all animal foods." Finally, she recommends moderation in all things.<ref name="Hall">{{cite web|last1=Hall|first1=Harriet|authorlink=Harriet Hall|title=What the Health: A Movie with an Agenda|url=https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/what-the-health-a-movie-with-an-agenda/|website=Sciencebasedmedicine.org|publisher=Science Based Medicine|accessdate=11 July 2017}}</ref>


In a review of the film by investigative journalist [[Nina Teicholz]] on DietDoctor.com, Teicholz praised the filmmakers' skills of persuasion, but concluded that the film's claims are not backed by scientific evidence.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dietdoctor.com/health-review-health-claims-backed-no-solid-evidence |title='What the Health' Review: Health Claims Backed by No Solid Evidence |authorlink=Nina Teicholz|author=Nina Teicholz |date=July 18, 2017 |publisher=''Diet Doctor''}}</ref>
In a review of the film by investigative journalist [[Nina Teicholz]] on DietDoctor.com, Teicholz praised the filmmakers' skills of persuasion, but concluded that the film's claims are not backed by scientific evidence.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dietdoctor.com/health-review-health-claims-backed-no-solid-evidence |title='What the Health' Review: Health Claims Backed by No Solid Evidence |authorlink=Nina Teicholz|author=Nina Teicholz |date=July 18, 2017 |publisher=''Diet Doctor''}}</ref>

Revision as of 19:01, 12 August 2017

What the Health
Movie poster with the text, "The Health Film That Health Organizations Don't Want You To See. What the Health: from the creators of the award winning film 'Cowspiracy' www.WhatTheHealthFilm.com"
Movie poster for What the Health
Directed by
  • Kip Andersen
  • Keegan Kuhn
Written by
  • Kip Andersen
  • Keegan Kuhn
Produced by
  • Kip Andersen
  • Keegan Kuhn
CinematographyKeegan Kuhn
Edited by
  • Kip Andersen
  • Keegan Kuhn
  • Ali Tabrizi (assistant)
Music by
  • Kip Andersen
  • Keegan Kuhn
  • Fernando Arce
Distributed byA.U.M. Films & Media
Release date
  • March 7, 2017 (2017-03-07) (New York)
Running time
92 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

What the Health is a 2017 documentary film which critiques the health impact of meat and dairy products consumption, and questions the practices of the leading health and pharmaceutical organizations. Its primary purpose is to advocate for a plant-based diet.

The documentary has been highly criticized by a number of medical doctors,[1][2] nutritionists,[3][4][5] and investigative journalists[6][7] for what they describe as confusing causation with correlation, cherry picking science studies, using biased sources, distorting study findings, and using "weak-to-non-existent data."

Synopsis

Advertised as "The Health Film That Health Organizations Don't Want You To See", the film follows Kip Andersen as he interviews physicians and other individuals regarding diet and health. Andersen is also shown attempting to contact representatives of various health organizations, but comes away dissatisfied with their responses. Through other interviews he examines the alleged connection between the meat, dairy, and pharmaceutical industries, as well as various health organizations. The synopsis is that serious health problems are a consequence of consuming meat and dairy products, and that a conspiracy exists to cover this up.[8][9]

Production

What the Health was written, produced, and directed by Kip Andersen and Keegan Kuhn, the production team for the documentary Cowspiracy.[10]

What the Health was funded via an Indiegogo campaign in March 2016,[11] raising more than $235,000.[12] The film was released globally on Vimeo on March 16, 2017[13], and screenings licensed through Tugg Inc.[14]

The following individuals were featured in the film, in order of appearance:[15]

Reception

On July 3, 2017, medical doctor and founder of Turntable Health, Zubin Damania, acting in his ZDoggMD persona, reviewed What the Health on his YouTube channel. Damania agreed with the documentary's assertion that a diet heavy in processed food was associated with negative health effects[16]: 0:50  and that the Food and Drug Administration sometimes offered "stupid nutrition recommendations" regarding recommending a uniform solution for everyone.[16]: 9:35  However, he also commented in detail on what he characterized as frequent confirmation bias and cherry picking of selected data, as well as the oversimplification of complex health issues and rampant misinformation which he observed in the documentary.[16]: 5:40  He also highlighted what he saw as the ridiculous claim made of "institutionalized racism" on the part of the dairy industry.[16]: 9:00  Damania concluded in exasperation: "that was the stupidest [expletive] thing I've ever seen... I feel like I've lost [expletive] brain cells."[16]

Joel Khan, a cardiologist featured in the film, responded to ZDoggMD's video via a Medium article titled "Why ZDoggMD and His Toilet Humor Are Best Flushed and Forgotten".[17] Medical doctor Garth Davis, who was featured in the film, addressed ZDogg's criticism via his official Facebook page, referring to the EPIC and Adventist Health Studies as well as other sources to reiterate that "meat consumption is strongly correlated with diabetes".[18]

On July 11, 2017, medical doctor Harriet Hall, known as the SkepDoc, reviewed the documentary on Science-Based Medicine. Her opinion was summarized as follows: "'What the Health' espouses the fairy tale that all major diseases... can be prevented and cured by eliminating meat and dairy from the diet. It is a blatant polemic for veganism, biased and misleading, and is not a reliable source of scientific information." At the end of her article she concludes by asserting positive aspects of a plant based diet with "There are undisputed health advantages to a plant-based diet..." and "We as a society should eat more plant foods..." but counterpoints this with "...the evidence is insufficient to recommend that everyone adopt a vegan diet" and "we needn’t entirely reject all animal foods." Finally, she recommends moderation in all things.[19]

In a review of the film by investigative journalist Nina Teicholz on DietDoctor.com, Teicholz praised the filmmakers' skills of persuasion, but concluded that the film's claims are not backed by scientific evidence.[20]

Sarah Berry, Lifestyle Health Editor for The Sydney Morning Herald read the documentary website after her friend sent her a link to it. According to Berry, "What the Health does make some valid points including concerns about the influence of Big Food on dietary recommendations and about poor farming practices, which can be both inhumane and bad for the planet." adding that "The makers cherry-pick science, use biased sources, distort study findings and use "weak-to-non-existent data..." Berry quoted Dr. Joanna McMillan as saying that "To me it's the usual product of those who are filmmakers and not nutrition scientists or trained in any aspect of medicine or science, therefore not trained or qualified to make sense of scientific research."[21]

Book

A companion book of the same name was released February 2017. It was authored by Eunice Wong, who is married to journalist Chris Hedges.[22]

See also

References

  1. ^ Zubin Damania MD. "A Doctor Watches "What The Health"". ZDoggMD. Archived from the original on July 29, 2017. Retrieved August 3, 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ Hall MD, Harriet (11 July 2017). "What the Health: A Movie with an Agenda". Science-Based Medicine. Archived from the original on July 29, 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ Messina MPH, RD, Virginia. "A Vegan Dietitian Reviews "What the Health"". Vegan.com. Archived from the original on July 29, 2017. Retrieved August 3, 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ Penner RD. Jessica. "what the health review – the good, the bad, and the ugly". Smart Nutrition. Archived from the original on July 29, 2017. Retrieved August 3, 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ Susie Burrell (July 21, 2017). "Nutritionist Susie Burrell reviews Netflix's new documentary What The Health". news.com.au.
  6. ^ Julia Belluz (July 25, 2017). "Debunking What the Health, the buzzy new documentary that wants you to be vegan: The film on Netflix mischaracterizes what we know about food and disease". Vox. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  7. ^ "'What the Health' Review: Health Claims Backed by No Solid Evidence - Diet Doctor". 18 July 2017.
  8. ^ Charles Mandel (February 8, 2016). "DiCaprio-backed Cowspiracy directors find new conspiracy to milk".
  9. ^ Michael D'Estries (February 11, 2016). "The guys behind 'Cowspiracy' are back to tackle personal health". Mother Nature Network. Retrieved February 15, 2017. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  10. ^ Jackie Day (January 23, 2016). "Cowspiracy Film Makers Announce NEW film: What the Health!". My Vegan Journal.
  11. ^ "What the Health". Indiegogo. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
  12. ^ Anna Starostinetskaya (April 15, 2016). "Vegan Filmmakers Raise Money to Qualify for Oscars". VegNews. Retrieved February 15, 2017. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  13. ^ "Watch What the Health Online". Vimeo On Demand. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
  14. ^ "What the Health". Tugg.com. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
  15. ^ "About the film". www.whatthehealthfilm.com. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  16. ^ a b c d e Damania, Zubin. "A Doctor Watches "What The Health"". Youtube.com. Retrieved 9 July 2017.; note that expletives were censored with beeps in Damania's review.
  17. ^ Kahn, Joel (2017-07-06). "Why ZDoggMD and His Toilet Humor Are Best Flushed and Forgotten". Medium. Retrieved 2017-07-14.
  18. ^ "Dr. Garth Davis". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2017-07-14.
  19. ^ Hall, Harriet. "What the Health: A Movie with an Agenda". Sciencebasedmedicine.org. Science Based Medicine. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
  20. ^ Nina Teicholz (July 18, 2017). "'What the Health' Review: Health Claims Backed by No Solid Evidence". Diet Doctor. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  21. ^ Berry, Sarah (20 July 2017). "What the Health: Netflix documentary trades on 'alternative facts' about veganism" – via The Sydney Morning Herald.
  22. ^ Hedges, Chris (9 July 2017). "Eating Our Way to Disease". Truthdig. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
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