William Banting

William Banting (1797 – 16 March 1878)^[1][2], was an obese English undertaker who may have been one of the first people to reduce his weight by going on a formal low-carbohydrate diet.^[3] His method for doing so was supervised by Dr. William Harvey, who notified the public of his success in 1863.^[4][3]

"Only three men in history have been immortalized by having their names enter the English language as verbs. ... the third was the subject of this article—William Banting..." —Barry Groves, PhD^[3]

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In 1863, Banting wrote a booklet called Letter on Corpulence, Addressed to the Public which contained the particular plan for the diet he followed.^[5][4] Initially, he published the booklet at his personal expense. The self-published edition was so popular that he determined to sell it to the general public. The third and later editions were published by Harrison, London. The pamphlet's popularity was such that the question "do you bant?" referred to his method, and eventually to dieting in general.^[3] Banting's booklet remains in print as of 2007.^[6]

Modern view

Banting was publicly vilified for advancing a low-carbohydrate diet and false rumors were spread, claiming his diet had destroyed his health.^[7] Banting's work influenced contemporary physicians and scientists investigating low-carb diets. The attacks on Banting prefigured similar rumors spread about Robert Atkins, and the Atkins Foundation maintains Baintings' works on its website.^[5]

Gary Taubes' recent study of carbohydrates begins with a prologue entitled A brief history of Banting and discusses Banting at some length.^[8] Discussions of low-carbohydrate diets often begin with a discussion of Banting.^{[9] [10] [11] [12] [13]}

Banting was a distant relative of Frederick Banting, the co-discover of insulin.^[8] Banting's body is buried with his wife's and daughter's at Brompton Cemetery, London, England.^[14]

References