E005 Dr. Richard Mathias on COVID-19 and Metabolic Syndrome

This week I had a chance to chat with Dr. Richard Mathias, an epidemiologist with 40 years of experience in public health and the management of communicable diseases.

Richard has worked for Health Canada as a field epidemiologist in Newfoundland, was the Provincial Epidemiologist for Saskatchewan from 1977-1980, the Provincial Epidemiologist for Communicable Diseases in B.C. from 1980-1983, and was a Professor at UBC’s School of Population and Public Health from 1983-2013. During that time his main research was in the area of communicable disease control and the application of public health principles.

Although he has now been retired for five years, Richard has been following the research on COVID-19 very closely, and many of the people who are now managing the crisis in B.C. were originally trained by Dr. Mathias and his team at UBC.

This episode is more of a question and answer format than the regular emphasis placed on storytelling. Since beginning this podcast I have been struggling with what to do in the face of the global pandemic. Until now, I have been wanting to give people an escape from the regular news media, and even many podcasts that have switched almost 100% to covering the Coronavirus as it progresses day by day. We'll be back to the escapist storytelling next week.

But right now, it’s time to shine the light on this virus, and Richard very gracefully agreed to answer some of my questions on COVID-19, just 2 days before B.C. moves into Phase Two of restrictions, and some greater economic activity and social gathering will be allowed.

We also debunk some of the big Coronavirus myths that have been floating around online, and Richard argues for evidence-based solutions in the face of snake-oil shucksters and conspiracy theorists.

In addition, Richard has done a great deal of research on high fat, low carbohydrate diets, and their relation to overcoming metabolic syndrome – which presents as a collection of ailments, including obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, and dementia. We talk about Metabolic Syndrome and why those who have it are more likely to have a worse outcome when COVID-19 strikes, or in the face of other health issues.

Contrary to what we’ve been told all or most of our lives, Richard and a growing number of health experts now believe we have been wrong to vilify fat in our diets. Instead, it is sugar that is the cause of so many health problems facing people today.

I had a lot of fun and learned a lot too in recording this episode. Hopefully you will find some value in it too.

----more---- 

Here are some relevant LINKS:

UBC School of Population and Public Health
https://www.spph.ubc.ca/

BC’s Response to COVID-19
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support

B.C. COVID-19 Survey
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/covid-19-questionnaire

 “The Art and Science of Low Carbohydrate Living” by Phinney and Volek.
https://www.artandscienceoflowcarb.com/books/

“The New Atkins for a New You” by Westman, Volek, and Phinney.
https://www.amazon.com/New-Atkins-You-Ultimate-Shedding-ebook/dp/B0038NN3B4

“Why We Get Fat and What to Do About It” by Gary Taubes.
http://garytaubes.com/works/books/why-we-get-fat/

----more----

For more information or to join the conversation, visit thisamazingstory.com

Or send mail to host, Malcolm McMillan.

This Amazing Story on Facebook

This Amazing Story on Twitter

This Amazing Story on Instagram

"E005 Dr. Richard Mathias on COVID-19 and Metabolic Syndrome" was produced by Malcolm McMillan for This Amazing Story. ©2020