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 McDougall passed peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, June 22.

'With a heavy heart, we share the news of Dr. John McDougall's passing,' a statement from the family read, 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 dietary therapy,' his family wrote. 'In honoring Dr. McDougall's memory, we ask you to continue to live healthfully, love each other and be kind to the environment and the animals who share it.' 

A massive stroke at 18 left McDougall paralyzed for weeks. This life-altering experience, fueled by unanswered questions about his rare condition, ignited 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

He, alongside his wife Mary McDougall, co-founded the McDougall program, the first ever weight-loss program consisting of whole-food plant-based vegan recipes.

The McDougall program's diet is made up of 90 percent starchy plant foods—including whole grains and whole-grain products—and 10 percent of a wide assortment of vegetables and fruit, according to the company's website.

While he retired in 2017 working in medicine for 50 years, the McDougall program is still up and running, with courses and community engagement run by his wife family. 

On his author page on his website, he explains how growing up, his parents idolized doctors and didn't question them when they gave their diagnosis.

'My exalted view of doctors changed during my 2-week stay at Grace Hospital. As 'a medical curiosity' — suffering a stroke at such a young age — I attracted some of Detroit's finest medical specialists. 

'With a heavy heart, we share the news of Dr. John McDougall's passing,' a statement from the family read, describing him as 'a visionary physician and author, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, mentor and friend'

He, alongside his wife Mary McDougall (right), co-founded the McDougall program, the first ever weight-loss program consisting of whole-food plant-based vegan recipes

'After examining me, I asked each 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; shaking their heads from side to side, they walked out of my room. 

'I figured I could do that. After 2 weeks of the 'best care' modern medicine had to offer, I left the hospital AMA (against medical advice) and returned to my undergraduate college studies at Michigan State University. 

'Soon my learning was on a track straight to medical school. Looking back at my diet, I can give credit to eggs, double cheese pizzas, and hot dogs for my brain damage, and my good fortune.'

Tired of not seeing results from his patients despite prescribing what he was taught to be the correct medicinal treatment, he went on a quest to find the answers once and for all - and the answers were holistic.

In 1973, McDougall was one four medical doctors at the Hamakua Sugar Plantation, and was responsible for taking care of its laborers and their family members, which made up 5,000 people total.

Working as a doctor at a Hawaiian sugar plantation, he noticed a link between diet and health.

McDougall is the author of 13 best-selling books, notably The Starch Solution, which is one of the top vegan books on Amazon

His elderly patients, who immigrated from Asia, stayed healthy well into their 90s as they ate a traditional diet based on rice and vegetables. Their children and grandchildren, influenced by Western food, started changing their eating habits.

As their diet changed, so did their health; The first generation stayed healthy, while later generations became more overweight and prone to diseases.

From there, he created a 12-day weight-loss program, includes personalized medical care, live lectures, and monthly check-ins for a full year following the program's completion.

McDougall is the author of 13 best-selling books, notably The Starch Solution, which is one of the top vegan books on Amazon.

A clinical instructor at four medical schools, McDougall received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine.