History & Milestones
Since its founding in 2014, The Noakes Foundation (TNF) has achieved many milestones. Foremost has been supporting over twenty research projects that questioned the Science. TNF’s research beneficiaries have addressed research gaps regarding; low carbohydrate, healthy fat (LCHF) community interventions, insulin resistance (IR), and sports performance, plus cyber harassment and academic free speech. TNF also founded two organisations for growing the low-carb movement: Eat Better South Africa promotes low-carbohydrate diets amongst marginalised South African populations. The Nutrition Network teaches health professionals IR science, plus the how and why of prescribing an LCHF lifestyle. Overall, TNF’s milestones are helping pushback against the scientific suppression of IR, whilst helping to support academic free speech in the Health and Wellness Sciences.
Please click on the year below to see what milestones TNF achieved in it.
Where it all started
In December Prof Noakes came across the book by Eric Westman, Jeff Volekk and Steve Phinney titled “New Adkins for a New You” and realised that the diet that he has been practicing and promoting for 33 years is harmful. After his own diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, he adopted the low-carb, high-fat (LCHF) diet described in the book and as a result, he experienced remarkable health improvements and reversed his diagnoses.
Challenging Conventions
In April Prof Noakes published “Against the Grain” for the Discovery Health Magazine in which he describes his new nutritional ideas.
In April Prof Tim Noakes joined Twitter
Prof. Tim Noakes Joins Twitter! Follow @ProfTimNoakes for expert insights on health and nutrition. #ProfNoakesOnTwitter #HealthAndNutrition
The Great Centenary Debate
In December of 2012, “The Great Centenary Debate” took place at the University of Cape Town. During this debate, Prof Noakes engaged in a thought-provoking debate with Prof Jacques Rossouw on the topic of “Cholesterol is not an important factor for heart disease and current dietary recommendations do even more harm than good.” At the time Prof Jacques Rossouw was the director of the Women’s Health Initiative – a multimillion-dollar study aimed at demonstrating the benefits of a low-fat diet in preventing heart disease.
However, Prof Noakes later uncovered evidence suggesting that the study’s findings actually indicated the contrary, a revelation discussed in his article titled “Hiding unhealthy heart outcomes in a low-fat diet trial: the Women’s Health Initiative Randomized Controlled Dietary Modification Trial finds that postmenopausal women with established coronary heart disease were at increased risk of an adverse outcome if they consumed a low-fat ‘heart-healthy’ diet.”
Funding Termination
Despite being the director of his own unit for 25 years, Medical Research Council terminated all of Prof Noakes’ Funding in November.
Challenging Beliefs, second edition published
This edition included a new section on Prof Noakes’ nutritional ideas. Because it debunked the diet-heart hypotheses and cholesterol theory Noakes became the targe of cardiologist across the country.
The Real Meal Revolution published
The release of “The Real Meal Revolution” book by Prof Tim Noakes sparked a global shift in nutritional perspectives, revolutionizing dietary beliefs with its low-carbohydrate, high-fat approach.
Prof Noakes Famous Tweet
Prof Noakes tweets the famous tweet on Twitter and is reported by Claire Julsing-Strydom, president of ADSA, to the HPCSA.
The Noakes Foundation is founded 7 April 2014
After his research convinced him that a high fat, low carb diet is the healthiest option for many, Prof Noakes founded The Noakes Foundation. The Noakes Foundation is the catalyst for this change. After being left frustrated by a decline in his personal health and developing Type 2 Diabetes, Prof Noakes has made it his mission to reverse this global trend. It seeks to reveal what genuine healthy nutrition looks like and, in doing so, make a difference in the lives of millions of people.
Prof Noakes' Parliamentary Address and Controversial UCT Letter
In August, Prof Noakes delivered a talk to the Parliamentary Wellness Group at the South African Parliament, focusing on obesity and the type 2 diabetes epidemic in South Africa. This prompted the University of Cape Town (UCT) to publish a letter, authored by a UCT professors. This letter highlighted concerns and opinions regarding Prof Noakes’ dietary approach. The letter gained further prominence as it was circulated to all medical faculties throughout South Africa, ultimately becoming a piece of evidence used against Prof Noakes during his trial by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
Prof Noakes retired from the University of Cape Town
Prof Tim Noakes retired from his esteemed position at the University of Cape Town, marking a new chapter in his career focused on advancing independent scientific research and advocating for proper nutrition principles.
The Noakes Foundation YouTube channel launched
The Noakes Foundation proudly launched its official YouTube channel, offering a diverse array of content. The channel aims to empower individuals with knowledge about low-carb high-fat (LCHF) nutrition and metabolic health, fostering healthier and informed lifestyle choices
The Noakes Foundation’s first grant was received from a philantropist in the US
A momentous occasion for The Noakes Foundation arrived when it received its inaugural grant from a generous philanthropist in the US, fueling the organization’s mission to further research the benefits of LCHF diets and promote healthier lifestyles.
The HPCSA Trial
The HPCSA trial, which commenced in November 2012, marked a significant chapter in Prof Tim Noakes’ life. It was a highly publicized and contentious legal battle that unfolded over several years. The trial revolved around a single tweet in which Prof Noakes advised a breastfeeding mother to wean her baby onto a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet. The HPCSA alleged that this tweet constituted unprofessional conduct and that Prof Noakes had provided unconventional advice that was dangerous. This trial lasted 4 years involving 28 days in court. The expert witnesses that testified alongside Prof Noakes were Nina Teicholz, Zoe Harcombe, Carryn Zynn.
Old Mutual Health Convention
The first-ever LCHF convention held in Cape Town in February 2015, generously sponsored by Old Mutual, brought together an exceptional lineup of LCHF experts. Renowned figures such as Prof Tim Noakes, Dr Jay Wortman, Dr Andreas Eenfeldt, Dr Aseem Malhotra, Jimmy Moore, Zoe Harcombe, Dr Ann Childers, Christine Cronau, Dr Jeffry Gerber, Dr Robert Cywes, Dr Jason Fung, and Marwan Abrahams took the stage. The convention, organized by Karen Thomson, provided a platform for knowledge-sharing, empowering attendees to embrace a paradigm shift in their approach to health and nutrition.
It’s about fat adaption and sports performance and elite athleticism and it actually follows the progress of Sami Inkinen who is a World Ironman champion and his wife Meredith and they both decide to row from San Francisco to Hawaii nonstop. I think it took them 45 days, of course, using fat as the primary source of fuel, and they were also monitored and given guidance by Dr. Stephen Phinney, of course, who is a low-carb legend himself, so make sure the movie, check it out.
Raising Superheroes was published.
Raising Superheroes, the follow-up title to The Real Meal Revolution, is a “real food” cookbook that provides parents with scientifically supported nutrition advice and delicious recipes to raise the healthiest, brightest kids possible.
In April Prof Tim Noakes joined Twitter
Prof Tim Noakes has been a prominent figure when it comes to challenging beliefs and traditional dietary recommendations and promoting alternative approaches to nutrition.
Eat Better SA
Eat Better South Africa was co-founded in 2015 by The Noakes Foundation and a team of passionate individuals. Its mission is to create a better staple diet for the country while supporting local community members, families, and newly diagnosed diabetics to improve their lifestyles with simple nutritional education and tools through its grassroots program implementation approach. They believe in connecting those who should be connected and creating spaces for healthier and supportive communities.
The Noakes Foundation Twitter account launched
The Noakes Foundation is a non-profit organization focused on promoting evidence-based nutrition research and education. Twitter is an effective way to share information and engage with an audience.
The authors’ conclusion is that athletes following a Low Carbohydrate High Fat (LCHF) diet do not make up for the reduced availability of glucose by increasing the rate of glucose synthesis, as compared to athletes on a mixed diet. Instead, they found that gluconeogenesis (GNG), the process of producing glucose from non-carbohydrate sources, remains relatively stable in athletes on an LCHF diet. However, the oxidation of glucose and glycolysis (GLY), a metabolic pathway for breaking down glucose, are influenced by dietary factors in these athletes.
In April 2017, Prof Noakes was initially cleared of all charges by the Health Professional Council of South Africa (HPCSA), but they appealed. After another year-long legal battle, he was again cleared, affirming his right to express evidence-based opinions and his commitment to challenging medical orthodoxy.
This guide typically includes lists of foods recommended or discouraged on the Banting diet and guidelines for portion sizes and meal planning. It is designed to help individuals following the Banting diet make informed choices about the types of food they consume and to support them in achieving their health and weight goals.
The book essentially questions the validity of traditional dietary recommendations and presents an alternative perspective on how certain dietary choices can contribute to better health outcomes.
Philip Prins and Grove City College in Grove City, Pennsylvania, in collaboration with Prof Tim Noakes, conducted a series of collaborative studies investigating the impact of a low-carbohydrate high-fat (LCHF) diet on exercise performance. These studies disproved a 100-year belief that during high-intensity exercise the body is unable to use anything other than carbohydrates for fuel. The team measured the highest rates of fat oxidation ever recorded in humans and thus occurred during very high-intensity exercise – thereby overthrowing 100 years of teaching in the exercise sciences.
Our Facebook Live event is a great way for Prof Noakes. to interact with our audience and share the expertise and knowledge that he has accumulated over the many years in academia, and helps us to become informed on important aspects of our health.
By having an Instagram account we have the opportunity and potential to reach a large diverse user base, that will broaden our audience and attract like-minded people.
The Nutrition Network is an online, accredited education, connection, and learning platform founded in 2018 by The Noakes Foundation in partnership with an esteemed team of doctors and scientists. The platform has been designed for healthcare practitioners across all disciplines, covering the latest science and research in the field of Therapeutic Carbohydrate Restriction.
Leaders in Ketogenic Nutrition Training
Prof Noakes has been found not guilty after the appeal from the HPSCA
Every year on the 8th of June, The Noakes Foundation commemorates and honors the inspiring legacy of Prof Tim Noakes and his contributions towards the LCHF mandate to reverse years of improper nutritional teachings, insufficient treatment, and outlook on Type 2 diabetes globally, along with other non-communicable diseases of lifestyle.
Real Food on Trial was published
“Real Food on Trial” is the revised and international edition of the book “Lore of Nutrition,” which additionally includes comprehensive details regarding the HPCSA appeal.
LinkedIn account for The Noakes Foundation launched
The Noakes Foundation created this account as a professional networking site that lets us form professional relationships with like-minded industries and offers career development through our affiliations.
“Fat Fiction” is a thought-provoking film that highlights the insights of Prof. Tim Noakes and other experts, debunking prevalent misconceptions about fat and shedding light on the importance of healthy fats in nutrition. You can watch the full film here
Eat Right Revolution was published
Arguing that a widely embraced LCHF diet could not only have slowed the spread of COVID-19 but also provide a certain amount of protection against numerous ailments, the new book zeroes in on cheap and effective ways to tackle the root causes of chronic illness and comorbidity. Once again, it stresses that we all have the power to take on our health issues without relying on drugs and flawed science… starting with what we eat.
Also known as cyberbullying in academic content, refers to the negative phenomenon of using digital platforms to target, harass, or intimidate individuals within the academic community.
https://www.growkudos.com/publications/10.1016%25252Fj.heliyon.2021.e06326/reader
Younglings launches the Social Media and Internet Lab for Research
With financial support from The Noakes Foundation, Younglings launched the ‘Social Media and Internet Lab for Research’ (SMILR). Younglings Voluntary Association is a Non-Profit Organization dedicated to creating an environment for young people who aspire to become Software Developers. This new lab gives Younglings software developer trainees a rare opportunity to learn how to extract data from social media platforms and to clean it for analysis. By contrast to other labs that largely support in-house, quantitative research projects, SMILR supports external researchers using mixed methods.
A noval critique could challenge assumptions, propose innovative solutions, and potentially suggest alternative approach that will consider the dynamic and ever changing nature of information dissemination in the digital era.
It would suggest that lifestyle modifications, such as changes in diet, exercise, and other habits, can have a positive impact on managing blood sugar levels and improving insulin sensitivity for a broad range of individuals in their everyday lives.
Challenging Beliefs podcast launched
The Noakes Foundation launched the Challenging Beliefs Podcast, aiming to foster open discussions on a range of topics. However, this initiative became subject to censorship on YouTube shortly after its second episode was published.
“Ketogenic: The Science of Therapeutic Carbohydrate Restriction in Human Health” was published
This groundbreaking textbook provides the most up-to-date research on Therapeutic Carbohydrate Restriction (TCR) for medical professionals. Focusing on low-carb and ketogenic nutrition, it offers valuable insights into managing chronic metabolic conditions and promoting overall health.
Collaborative work alongside a government health project
The Noakes Foundation and Eat Better SA are also working collaboratively with one of the local government clinics where we are providing nutrition education to a group of T2D patients. The 6-week Eat Better South Africa program focuses on promoting healthier eating practices and this study aims to evaluate its effectiveness through anthropometric measurements, blood assessments, questionnaires, and engaging focus group discussions. Together, we’re empowering individuals to take control of their health.
With our school feeding project, Eat Better South Africa and The Noakes Foundation have partnered with the INANI StartWell Foundation, an NPO dedicated to eliminating childhood stunting. By providing nutrient-dense alternatives we aim to positively impact the nutritional well-being of children in the Western Cape, Gugulethu. Our mixed method design assesses the acceptability of these foods within the community.
The Noakes Foundation 10 year anniversary celebration
In 2024, we proudly celebrated the anniversary of The Noakes Foundation with a heartfelt tribute to our mission and milestones. The event brought together our passionate community, ambassadors, and supporters from across the globe to reflect on our journey, honor the legacy of Prof. Tim Noakes, and celebrate the impact we’ve made in advancing evidence-based nutrition. From inspiring stories to exciting campaigns, the celebration reminded us why we do what we do, and motivated us to keep pushing forward for better health for all.
Research: Academic free speech and digital voices
- Affordable Data Extraction for postgrads Research (ADEPR)
- Promoting Vaccines in South Africa: Consensual or Non Consensual Health Science Communication
- Who is watching the World Health Organisation? “Post-truth” moments beyond infodemic research
- A Rationale for Qualitative Research using Small Data
- Noteworthy Disparities with Four CAQDAS Tools: Explorations in Organising Live Twitter Data
- Distinguishing online Academic Bullying: Identifying new forms of harassment in dissenting Emeritus Professor’s case.
- Brandjacked for Social Media Advert Fraud: Microcelebrities’ Lived Experiences of a Relentless Digital Crime in South Africa
- Reduced Glucose Tolerance and Skeletal Muscle Glut 4 and IRS1 content in Cyclist Habituated to a Long-Term-Low-Carbohydrate, High-Fat Diet
- Carbohydrate ingestion eliminates hypoglycemia and improves endurance exercises performance in triaathletes adapted to very low – and high- carbohydrate.
- Low-carbohydrate high-fat ketogenic diets on the exercise crossover point and glucose homeostasis.
- Low and high carbohydrate isocaloric diets on performance, fat oxidation, glucose and cardiometabolic health in middle age males.