Paleo chef Pete Evans slammed for telling woman with osteoporosis to cut out calcium

Pete Evans wears many hats. He is an Australian chef, a cookbook author, a television host and a paleo diet advocate. But one thing he’s not? A doctor — and the Internet very quickly and helpfully reminded him of this fact last week.

The chef came under fire on social media after he advised a woman with osteoporosis to adopt a paleo diet and cut out calcium on a public Facebook Q&A session.

According to Evans, “calcium from dairy can remove the calcium from your bones.”

According to every other legitimate medical source, however, that statement is a load of bull.

Social media quickly took Evans to task, calling him out on his inaccurate and potentially-harmful medical advice.

According to Osteoporosis Canada, the cost of treating osteoporosis in the country amounted to more than $2.3 billion in 2010. Financial costs aside, the human costs involved are also immense, including reduction of mobility, decreased independence and possible disfigurement.

Yet, steps can easily be taken to prevent osteoporosis, one of which, according to the Mayo Clinic, is to consume dairy products and fulfill your body’s daily calcium needs.

According to them, “Men and women between the ages of 18 and 50 need 1,000 milligrams of calcium a day. This daily amount increases to 1,200 milligrams when women turn 50 and men turn 70.”

This isn’t the first time Evans has sparked controversy. In July, Evans called sunscreen “poisonous chemicals” and said he generally doesn’t use it as he “keeps an all over tan all year and [doesn’t] stay out for super long periods in the sun.”

Instead of avoiding the sun, Evans told people to “use common sense. The goal is always never to burn yourself.”

Sounds like Evans failed to take his own advice.

Do you agree with Evans on cutting out calcium? Let us know by tweeting us @YahooStyleCA.