Jeff Volek
Jeff Volek | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Kinesiologist |
Jeff S. Volek is an American kinesiologist and low-carbohydrate diet advocate who focuses on the clinical application of ketogenic diets. He is the co-founder of Virta Health and was a review author for the evidentiary foundation of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.[1]
Career
Volek obtained a MSc in Exercise Physiology in 1995 and PhD in Kinesiology from Pennsylvania State University in 1999.[2] He is a registered dietitian.[3]
Volek is a professor in the Department of Human Sciences at Ohio State University.[2] He has obtained over $7 million in research grants to study the health outcomes of low-carbohydrate diets.[4][5] He co-founded Virta Health Corp and is Chief Science Officer.[2] As of 2023, Volek is investigating the use of ketogenic diets in brain metastases.[6]
Volek is on the advisory board of Atkins-HCP (owned by Atkins Nutritionals) and co-authored a book promoting a modified version of the Atkins diet.[5][7] Volek promotes a diet high in saturated fat and has disputed the saturated fat guidelines.[8]
Volek's book The Art and Science of Low Carbohydrate Living, co-authored with Stephen D. Phinney received an overall score of 74% by Red Pen Reviews, including a score of 63% for scientific accuracy. The review concluded that "we think Art and Science could be a useful book for people interested in low-carb diets, but they may want to view its scientific claims with some caution."[9]
2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans
Volek was a review author of The Scientific Foundation For The Dietary Guidelines For Americans which was used as the evidentiary foundation for the 2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.[1] Volek was referred to 10 times in the review. Almost half of Volek’s studies cited in the review were funded by his company Virta Health, a weight loss coaching company that advocates for low-carb and low-sugar diets.[1]
Funding
Volek has received funding from the Dutch Dairy Association, Dairy Management Inc. and the Malaysian Palm Oil Board.[1]
Selected publications
- The Testosterone Advantage Plan (with Adam Campbell and Lou Schuler, 2002)
- Men's Health TNT Diet (with Adam Campbell, 2008)[10]
- New Atkins For a New You (with Eric C. Westman and Stephen D. Phinney, 2010)[7]
- The Art and Science of Low Carbohydrate Living (with Stephen D. Phinney, 2011)
- The Art and Science of Low Carbohydrate Performance (with Stephen D. Phinney, 2012)
- "The Scientific Foundation For The Dietary Guidelines For Americans" (PDF). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
References
- ^ a b c d Cueto, Isabella (2026). "Behind new dietary guidelines: Industry-funded studies, opaque science, crushing deadline pressure". STAT. Archived from the original on February 4, 2026.
- ^ a b c "Jeff Volek". ehe.osu.edu. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
- ^ "Jeff Volek, Ph.D.". hdiac.org. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
- ^ "Jeff S. Volek, Ph.D., R.D.". u.osu.edu. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
- ^ a b "Jeff S. Volek, PhD., RD., F.A.C.N.". atkins-hcp.com. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
- ^ "Investigating the Use of Ketogenic Diets in Brain Metastases". clinicaltrials.gov. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
- ^ a b "New Atkins For a New You".penguin.com.au. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
- ^ "Stop Blaming Saturated Fat". menshealth.com. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
- ^ "The Art and Science of Low Carbohydrate Living: An Expert Guide to Making the Life-Saving Benefits of Carbohydrate Restriction Sustainable and Enjoyable". Red Pen Reviews. 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Men's Health TNT Diet". penguinrandomhouse.com. Retrieved 1 March 2023.