Vinnie Tortorich

[[File:Vinnie Tortorich.png|thumb|right|165px|Vinnie Tortorich]]
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{{cquote|STAY AWAY FROM SUGAR AND GRAINS|||Vinnie Tortorich<ref>[https://health.usnews.com/health-news/health-wellness/articles/2013/08/28/celebrity-trainer-vinnie-tortorich-on-what-works-for-weight-loss Celebrity Trainer Vinnie Tortorich on What Works for Weight Loss]</ref>}}

'''Vinnie Tortorich''' {{lived|1962}} is an [[United States|American]] fitness trainer, anti-sugar campaigner, anti-[[Veganism|vegan]] activist, [[cholesterol denialist]], [[Low-carb diet|low-carb high-fat]] advocate, and proponent of [[Vitamin and mineral supplements|vitamin woo]]. He operates the '''Fitness Confidential''' podcast (formerly called ''Angriest Trainer'') that often features [[conspiracy theorist]]s and low-carb fanatics who reject conventional medical advice. 

Tortorich advertises himself as the "[[Appeal to celebrity|World's Celebrity Fitness Trainer]]" and charges $195 for an hour phone consultation.<ref>[https://vinnietortorich.com/phone-consultation/ Phone Consultation]. Vinnie Tortorich.</ref> He founded the '''Pure Vitamin Club''' to sell his vitamin supplements.<ref>[https://purevitaminclub.com/ Pure Vitamin Club]</ref> Tortorich's irrational criticisms of whole grains are entirely unfounded. Tortorich is also supportive of the [[carnivore diet]] and invited [[Shawn Baker]] onto his podcast.<ref name="Shawn Baker">[https://vinnietortorich.com/2022/04/benefits-of-the-carnivore-diet-dr-shawn-baker-episode-2091/ Benefits of the Carnivore Diet with Dr. Shawn Baker – Episode 2091]</ref>

==No Sugar, No Grains==

{{cquote|Try eggs, bacon, meat & fish. #NSNG|||Vinnie Tortorich<ref>[https://twitter.com/VinnieTortorich/status/1476715996559859713 Vinnie Tortorich on Twitter].</ref>}}

Tortorich is a promoter of a [[fad diet]] known as "No Sugar, No Grains" (NSNG), which consists of eliminating all processed [[sugar]]s and grains from the diet.<ref name="NSNG">[https://vinnietortorich.com/what-is-nsng/ No Sugar No Grains (NSNG) Frequently Asked Questions]</ref> It is a low-carb high-fat diet based on [[ketogenic diet|ketogenic]] principles that is high in [[bacon]] and eggs. Tortorich describes ‪NSNG as a "lifestyle", but like all fad diets there is a list of foods you can and cannot eat.<ref name="NSNG"/> Tortorich's strange idea of a healthy snack on his NSNG diet is beef jerky, full-fat cheese, 85% or greater dark chocolate, and pepperoni slices. On the plus side, at least he encourages people to consume vegetables.<ref name="NSNG"/>

Tortorich's criticisms of processed sugar are quite accurate. For example, the association between a high-sugar diet and a greater risk of cardiovascular disease has been scientifically established.<ref>[https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/the-sweet-danger-of-sugar The sweet danger of sugar]</ref> Unfortunately, Tortorich goes [[woo woo]] in his outright rejection of whole grains.

The NSNG diet does not allow the consumption of whole grains. This is despite the fact that whole grains can be part of a healthy diet, and they offer a good source of fibre, minerals, and other nutrients.<ref>[https://www.healthyeating.org/Healthy-Eating/All-Star-Foods/Grains Health Benefits of Grains]</ref> Studies show that consumption of whole grains can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and obesity.<ref>[https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/9-benefits-of-whole-grains 9 Legitimate Health Benefits of Eating Whole Grains]</ref> The NSNG diet entirely forbids the consumption of barley, oats, rice, and wheat. In reality, all these foods have proven health benefits. According to one review, "research has shown that consumption of wheat fiber leads to increased laxation, decreased gut transit time, and a potential reduction in the risk of colorectal [[cancer]]."<ref>[https://journals.lww.com/nutritiontodayonline/Abstract/2012/07000/Potential_Health_Benefits_of_Whole_Grain_Wheat.6.aspx Potential Health Benefits of Whole Grain Wheat Components]</ref> A 2016 systematic review concluded that "whole grain intake is associated with a reduced risk of coronary heart disease, cardiovascular disease, and total cancer, and mortality from all causes, respiratory diseases, infectious diseases, diabetes, and all non-cardiovascular, non-cancer causes."<ref>[https://www.bmj.com/content/353/bmj.i2716 Whole grain consumption and risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and all cause and cause specific mortality: systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies]. ''British Medical Journal''.</ref> Tortorich does not appear to be interested in this evidence.{{nofact}}

Tortorich's criticism of whole grains is not based on their phytic acid content because his NSNG diet allows the consumption of legumes.<ref name="NSNG"/> He opposes consumption of grains because of their high glycemic index and their ability to make blood sugar spike.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44o9t0hDmF0 Vinnie Tortorich: No Sugar, No Grains]</ref> However, this is not accurate because some grains have a very low glycemic index. For example, brown rice and whole wheat pasta have a low GI score.<ref>[https://oldwayspt.org/blog/myth-all-grains-make-your-blood-sugar-spike Myth: All Grains Make Your Blood Sugar Spike]</ref>

Another of Tortorich's bizarre claims is that "carbs" such as whole grains can make people insulin resistant which can lead to {{wpl|type 2 diabetes}} (T2D).<ref>[https://vinnietortorich.com/2022/01/phony-food-articles-hormones-more-episode-2021/ Phony Food Articles, Hormones, & More – Episode 2021]</ref> However, no evidence supports this view. A 2021 review of controlled trials concluded that whole grains "''improve short-term glycemia and insulinemia, which may improve HbA1c, a marker of long-term glycemic control. This may partially explain the inverse association between WG intake and risk of T2D''", and a 2022 review of prospective cohort studies found that a high intake of whole grains was associated with a lower risk of T2D.<ref>[https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34930065/ Whole grain intake, compared to refined grain, improves postprandial glycemia and insulinemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials]</ref><ref>[https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/fsn3.2811 Consumption of whole grains and risk of type 2 diabetes: A comprehensive systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies]</ref>

==Anti-veganism==

Tortorich is an anti-vegan activist who promotes a diet high in red meat. He claims to have debunked "vegan myths" and directed the independent documentary ''Beyond Impossible'', a criticism of fake meat and veganism.<ref>[https://vinnietortorich.com/2021/12/debunking-vegan-myths-episode-1988/ Debunking Vegan Myths – Episode 1988]</ref><ref>[https://justthenews.com/nation/culture/sunindependent-filmmaker-takes-fake-meat-industry-new-documentary-beyond-impossible Independent filmmaker takes on fake meat industry in new documentary 'Beyond Impossible' ]</ref>

==Cholesterol denialism==

{{cquote|There is no concrete evidence that high serum cholesterol is even the cause of heart disease. That’s right – you heard THAT!|||Vinnie Tortorich.<ref name="10for10">[https://10for10.vinnietortorich.com/ THE CHOLESTEROL COLLECTION THE ALL NEW 10 FOR $10]. Vinnie Tortorich.</ref>}}

Tortorich is a [[Statin denialism|cholesterol and statin denialist]] who denies that blood LDL cholesterol levels increase the risk of heart disease. He is a supporter of [[Malcolm Kendrick]]'s unproven ideas.<ref>[https://vinnietortorich.com/2015/05/dr-malcolm-kendrick-and-the-anti-cholesterol-campaign/ Depression, Type 2 Diabetes, Happiness and the The Great Cholesterol Con with DR. MALCOLM KENDRICK]. Vinnie Tortorich.</ref><ref name="Vinnie 2019">[https://vinnietortorich.com/2019/02/cholesterol-con-dr-malcolm-kendrick-episode-1247/ BEST OF: Dr. Malcolm Kendrick and the Great Cholesterol Con – Episode 1247]. Vinnie Tortorich.</ref> 

Reminiscent of the [[Quack Miranda Warning]], he lists a disclaimer on his website stating, "Do not disregard any professional medical advice you have received, nor delay in seeking such advice because of something you have read on this website."<ref>[https://vinnietortorich.com/general-disclaimers/ Disclaimer for VinnieTortorich.com]</ref> However, his podcast interviews often recommend listeners to avoid taking medication. Tortorich interviewed Kendrick who said that statins are useless to any patient and are a massive [[Big Pharma]] con.<ref name="Vinnie 2019"/> On his website, Tortorich sells the "Cholesterol Collection" for $10, a bunch of his interviews with cholesterol denialists.<ref name="10for10"/> Unsurprisingly, he is a fan of [[Gary Taubes]].<ref>[https://vinnietortorich.com/2015/08/the-obesity-epidemic-with-gary-taubes/ The Obesity Epidemic with Gary Taubes]. Vinnie Tortorich.</ref><ref>[https://vinnietortorich.com/2016/12/gary-taubes-case-against-sugar-episode-731/ Gary Taubes and The Case Against Sugar – Episode 731]. Vinnie Tortorich.</ref>

==Low-carbers that have appeared on his podcast==

*[[Shawn Baker]]<ref name="Shawn Baker"/>
*[[William Davis]]<ref>[https://vinnietortorich.com/2017/06/dr-william-davis-becoming-undoctored-episode-838/ Dr. William Davis On Becoming “Undoctored” – Episode 838]. Vinnie Tortorich.</ref>
*[[Jason Fung]]<ref>[https://vinnietortorich.com/2022/11/your-fasting-questions-answered-dr-jason-fung-episode-2241/ Your Fasting Questions Answered with Dr. Jason Fung – Episode 2241]</ref>
*[[Zoë Harcombe]]<ref>[https://vinnietortorich.com/2017/05/zoe-harcombe-phd-finds-no-evidence-episode-824/ Zoë Harcombe PhD Finds No Evidence! – Episode 824]. Vinnie Tortorich.</ref>
*[[Malcolm Kendrick]]
*[[Max Lugavere]]<ref>[https://vinnietortorich.com/2016/04/grains-and-memory-loss-max-lugavere/ Grains and Memory Loss with Max Lugavere]. Vinnie Tortorich.</ref>
*[[Tom Naughton]]<ref>[https://vinnietortorich.com/2015/04/the-angriest-trainer-374-one-on-one-with-tom-naughton/ Fast Food, Obesity, Documentaries and Fat Head with Tom Naughton]. Vinnie Tortorich.</ref>
*[[David Perlmutter]]<ref>[https://vinnietortorich.com/2014/05/angriest-trainer-266-dr-perlmutter-grain-brain/ Angriest Trainer 266: Dr. Perlmutter and Grain Brain]. Vinnie Tortorich.</ref>
*[[Marika Sboros]]<ref>[https://vinnietortorich.com/2017/05/timothy-noakes-trial-recap-with-marika-sboros-episode-819/ Timothy Noakes Trial Recap with Marika Sboros – Episode 819]. Vinnie Tortorich.</ref>
*[[Gary Taubes]]

==External links==
*[https://vinnietortorich.com/ VinnieTortorich.com]

==References==
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[[Category:Authors]]
[[Category:Cholesterol and statin denialists]]
[[Category:Food woo promoters]]
[[Category:Low-carb fanatics]]
[[Category:Pseudoscience promoters]]
[[Category:Radio]]

Categories: Authors, Cholesterol and statin denialists, Food woo promoters, Low-carb fanatics, Pseudoscience promoters, Radio