Dr. John McDougall, who invented high-starch vegan diet, dies aged 77
Dr. John McDougall, known for inventing the high-starch vegan diet, has died at the age of 77.
His family confirmed that McDougall passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, June 22.
‘It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of Dr. John McDougall,” read a statement from the family, describing him as “a visionary physician and author, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, mentor and friend.”
“The world will remember him as the man who revolutionized modern healthcare and championed nutritional therapy,” his family wrote. ‘In memory of Dr. McDougall, we ask you to continue living healthy lives, loving each other and being kind to the environment and the animals that share it.”
A massive stroke at the age of 18 left McDougall paralyzed for weeks. This life-changing experience, fueled by unanswered questions about his rare condition, fueled his passion to revolutionize healthcare and empower patients like himself.
Dr. John McDougall, known for inventing the high-starch vegan diet, has died at the age of 77
Together with his wife Mary McDougall, he co-founded the McDougall Program, the very first weight loss program consisting of vegan recipes based on plant-based nutrition.
The McDougall program diet consists of 90 percent starchy plant foods — including whole grains and whole grain products — and 10 percent a wide range of fruits and vegetables, according to the company’s website.
Although he retired in 2017 from 50 years in medicine, the McDougall program is still active, with courses and community involvement run by his wife’s family.
On his author page on his website, he explains how his parents idolized doctors growing up and didn’t question them when they made their diagnoses.
“My elevated view of physicians changed during my two-week stay at Grace Hospital. As a “medical curiosity” – I had a stroke at such a young age – I attracted some of Detroit’s top medical specialists.
‘It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of Dr. John McDougall,” read a statement from the family, describing him as “a visionary physician and author, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, mentor and friend.”
Together with his wife Mary McDougall (right), he co-founded the McDougall Program, the very first weight loss program consisting of plant-based, vegan recipes.
“After examining myself, I asked every new doctor, ‘What caused my stroke?’ “What are you going to do for me?” “How are you going to make me better?” ‘When can I go home?’ The typical response was nonverbal; They shook their heads back and forth and walked out of my room.
‘I thought I could do that. After two weeks of the “best care” modern medicine had to offer, I left AMA Hospital (against medical advice) and returned to my undergraduate studies at Michigan State University.
“Soon my studies went straight to medical school. Looking back on my diet, I can attribute my brain damage and my happiness to eggs, double cheese pizza, and hot dogs.”
Tired of not seeing results in his patients despite prescribing the right medical treatment, he set out to find the answers once and for all – and the answers were holistic.
In 1973, McDougall was one of four doctors on the Hamakua sugar plantation and was responsible for caring for the workers and their family members, who totaled 5,000 people.
While working as a doctor on a Hawaiian sugar plantation, he noticed a connection between diet and health.
McDougall is the author of 13 best-selling books, most notably The Starch Solution, one of the best vegan books on Amazon
His elderly patients, who emigrated from Asia, remained healthy well into their 90s because they ate a traditional diet based on rice and vegetables. Their children and grandchildren began to change their eating habits under the influence of the Western diet.
As their diet changed, so did their health; The first generation remained healthy, while later generations became more overweight and more susceptible to disease.
From there, he created a twelve-day weight-loss program that included personalized medical care, live lectures, and monthly check-ins for an entire year after completing the program.
McDougall is the author of 13 best-selling books, most notably The Starch Solution, one of the best vegan books on Amazon.
McDougall, a clinical instructor at four medical schools, received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine.