example, a 30-day supply of EstroX capsules, an anti-
estrogen product, costs $40 as of 2007, while a 16-day
supply of Warrior Milk is $24.
Research and general acceptance
The Warrior diet is controversial even among the
bodybuilding community. With regard to research,
there are no clinical studies of this diet reported in
mainstream medical journals as of 2007. Hofmekler’s
own attitude toward scientific research is a curious
mixture of skepticism about standard views of nutri-
tion, a skewed view of history, and selective citation.
In an interview from 1999, he remarked that his diet
‘‘is more of an opinion or a concept rather thancom-
pletely[emphasis in original] scientific research, but
it’s based on opinions and a lot of science, which I
hope to verify in the future. The idea is very simple. It’s
based on my own experience and somehow, because I
was so interested in the effect, I did my own historical,
anthropological, and scientific research. It’s largely
based on the romantic notion of the warrior.’’
One factor that inhibits Hofmekler’s acceptance
by the general public as well as by healthcare profes-
sionals is the poor quality of his printed materials and
the many spelling and grammatical errors to be found
in them. Several people who purchasedThe Warrior
Dietnoted not only that the paper and binding are not
the best, but also that some paragraphs are printed
twice. Other examples of uncorrected typos and usage
problems can be found on Hofmekler’s websites; the
Warrior Diet site, for example, refers to Hofmekler as
a ‘‘reknowned nutrition expert,’’ while the Defense
Nutrition website claims that his diet and training
methods have been endorsed by ‘‘marshal artists.’’
While it may be argued that errors of this type do
not automatically invalidate Homekler’s theories,
they certainly do not add to his credibility.
While estrogen levels in the body are known to
stimulate the growth of about 80% of breast cancers
and to increase the risk of some forms of uterine
cancer, it is doubtful that these hormones are respon-
sible for the range of problems Hofmekler attributes to
them, or that such substances as plastics can signifi-
cantly affect estrogen levels in adults. In addition,
some of the word-of-mouth advertising for Hofme-
kler’s books has a macho tone that makes the reader
wonder whether his concern about estrogen is sym-
bolic. A typical example reads as follows: ‘‘Are you
sick of diets that are made for forty-year-old women?
When is the last time that you read a diet book that
was made for men and got you excited?’’ Although
Hofmekler claims that the Warrior diet can help
women as well as men improve their physical health,
it is difficult to imagine very many women finding this
diet useful.
Hofmekler’s use of the thrifty gene hypothesis as
an explanation for the presumed eating habits of Stone
Age people and ancient warriors is a weakness rather
than an advantage, in that scientists have increasingly
questioned whether humans have ever had a thrifty
gene. To begin with, no specific candidate genes have
been proposed as of 2007; recent research suggests that
numerous genes, each one having only a modest effect,
combine to determine a person’s susceptibility to obe-
sity. Second, most people who die during a famine die
of disease rather than starvation, thus there would be
little difference in mortality between lean and obese
persons. Third, famines are a relatively recent phe-
nomenon and occur only once every 100–150 years;
thus most human populations would have experienced
at most only 100 famines during their evolutionary
history. Last, the increase in mortality during a famine
rarely exceeds 10 percent. In short, famines do not
provide enough of a selective advantage for a single
thrifty gene to be widespread among modern humans.
One aspect of Hofmekler’s system that has
received some support from mainstream research is
the connection between restriction of food intake
and longevity. It has been known for about 70 years
that limiting the food intake of laboratory rats
increases both their average and their maximum life
span. The benefits ofcalorie restrictionhave also been
shown in hamsters, dogs, and fish. It is not clear,
however, whether the model applies to humans, and
if so, why calorie restriction might slow down the aging
process. One scientist has listed several different hypoth-
eses that have been proposed, ranging from growth
retardation and reduction of body fat to alteration ofQUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR
DOCTOR What is your opinion of the unusual daily eating
cycle recommended by the Warrior diet?
Do you know anyone who has tried this diet who
is not a bodybuilder?
If so, did they stay on this diet?
Do you think this diet could pose risks to health
for some people? Would it be safe for anyone
with an eating disorder?
What do you think of Hofmekler’s focus on
estrogens as a major source of health problems
in adults of either sex?Warrior diet