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I am in law enforcement and I am attending a Fitness Certification Course to enhance my career. It will comprise of physical fitness as well as nutrition. I already know they will be teaching the SAD mantra and they will also being have a Doctor who specializes in heart disease to give a presentation on coronary heart disease risk factors. They have asked we bring our most recent cholesterol/lipid markers to "understand the true value of the information as it relates to coronary heart disease."

The certification is based on a passing score of the written exam as well as a physical fitness exam, which I have no concern passing either tests. However, I am not one to bit my lip when I disagree with information being taught, especially when it comes to nutrition and heart disease/cholesterol. At the end of the day I may be able to hold my opinions on the nutrition, but it may be very difficult for me to listen to this doctor tell me since my total cholesterol is 210 I need to be on Lipitor and cut back on saturated fat. Part of me also feels it might be a good opportunity to "spread the word" and get people to open their minds to other possibilities, however, this may be wishful thinking.

What would you guys do in this situation and do you have any advise on how to approach it?

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6 Answers

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Hi to both Erics! I'd say, answer test questions based on the official curriculum content, but in class conversations feel free to respectfully offer what you're experiencing and observing in the primal/paleo community.

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Respectfully being the key :-) – Eric Nov 7 2011 at 19:57
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 Ah, but respect is a two way street. So start respectfully and if is not returned....hit him with your billy club! – JayJay Nov 7 2011 at 20:00
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Since you post here you obviously enjoy a little debate...I see nothing wrong with it, and lets face it doctors need to hear more of it if they are ever going to learn. Can't leave all the teaching up to the statin industry now can we?

As for the test meh, you know how that goes. Just spit out the robotic answers to get a high score.

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Work-related training classes are probably one of the last places I would want to listen to somebody’s conspiracy theories. If you are just some guy trying to get throught the class would you want some smart aleck to keep bringing up plant-based diets and arguing with the instructor?

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Yes, bring on the alternate viewpoint. There's more boring than a classroom full of people that are silent and nodding along. – Chickenosaurus Rex Nov 7 2011 at 20:59
Not the right venue though - debate is pointless in training courses and "spreading the word" is obnoxious. Find some other venue to stand up to the man. – Paleo2.0 Nov 7 2011 at 23:48
Even here at Paleo Hacks half the people think starches are dangerous and the other half think these people are full of shit. It would be pretty pointless for random people thrown in the room togeather to try and debate topics like this. It would nothing but "I read this somewhere" and "oh yeah, I read that was wrong." Just one big "he said, she said" cluster-you-know-what. – Paleo2.0 Nov 7 2011 at 23:49
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I would stay quite. What is your HDL?

If you do say something. Say that in study x heart disease decreased but overall morbidity increased. Information is in Taubes GCBC. However just mention the study not Taubes.

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HDL is 79, but I'm not sure I put any stock in any of these numbers anymore. – hemanvt Nov 7 2011 at 20:00
That rocks! The doc may leave you alone – Eric Nov 7 2011 at 20:20
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Great hearing you're heading for success with the written/fitness aspects.

As for disagreeing with the resident expert:

You don't mention that this could negatively impact your graduation, so I'm guessing your focus is largely: Is it a waste of time to disagree?

Depends really on your perspective in approaching such a conversation, including being clear as to your intentions. I can envision your talking about actual evidence for Paleo. Then being prepared to hand up a a tightly written (bullet point format) Cordain-quality evidence sheet. Much chance of changing minds? Not much, I would guess. But if think you would enjoy the conversation (key: don't get emotionally involved in being "right"), why not give it a shot?

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See, this would be my question, too -- would speaking up in this environment jeopardize the career improvement you're hoping to make? I know that it would where I work (which is something I have to deal with daily). I wouldn't have an issue debating with someone outside the class environment, however, inside class, it is possible to be written up as a troublemaker if you defy the "conventional wisdom" being preached where I'm at. I would be guardedly optimistic going in that discussion might serve a point, but aware of any personal risk it might entail and choosing with wisdom. – Firestorm Nov 7 2011 at 22:47
As an alternative, maybe if there is time during a break, you could discuss your personal experience/findings with the presenter one-on-one, in an exploratory/non-threatening discussion. I've done that with some success in the past. (Especially because the ego of many teachers --myself included for much of my life, to my shame -- revolves around not being contradicted in front of other students. – Firestorm Nov 7 2011 at 22:49
It will not make a difference career or certification wise. – hemanvt Nov 8 2011 at 1:14
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I have learned that you can't help people if they don't want it. Sadly most people are fine with taking drugs to make themselves "healthy".

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