Tim Noakes, South Africa's low-carbohydrates guru, is in hot water ... again. Last week, he and two doctors wrote an editorial arguing that eating carbohydrates, especially refined ones, explained the rise of obesity rather than a lack of exercise.The editorial was published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine in which one of his best friends, Karim Khan, a fellow Banter, is one of the three editors.The editorial argued no one could outrun a bad diet despite the food industry's arguments that one could indulge in junk food if you burnt off the excess calories by exercise.The opinion piece was picked up by 28 media outlets, including the BBC, The Times of India and Newsnight, a London-based TV show.It has now been taken offline.The site says: "The paper has been temporarily removed following an expression of concern."It appears the controversy is because Noakes did not declare a conflict of interest [his diet book] - a common practice in medical research.Noakes has sold 150000 copies of his book Real Meal Revolution, promoting a low-carb lifestyle. But he has also published three other books, and one promotes exercise.Noakes defended his choice not to declare a conflict of interest.He said on twitter that in 42 years of publishing he has never needed to declare any book he has authored. Noakes told The Times that he has now declared all four books he has authored.He suggested on twitter that the editorial saying that exercise could not balance out poor food choices has ruffled feathers of some doctors and possibly the food industry.Fellow author, British cardiologist Aseem Malhotra did not declare that he was director of NGO Action on Sugar. The NGO is lobbying the British government to place a sugar tax on sweetened junk food.He says he cannot comment until the editorial is out back up on the website with a full explanation for its removal. It was supposed to have been put posted back on the journal website on Tuesday.What is published in the scientific world influences advice given to patients by doctors and is thus supposed to be the best science and not influenced by other factors.Professor of Ethics at the Wits Steve Biko school for bioethics on Ames Dhai said, "Unfortunately when editors publish based on friendship they do doctors, the healthcare profession and ultimately our patients a huge disservice as their care would be based on biased information – which may work against the best interests of our patients".She said Noakes should have declared his book."Any book that brings in royalties is an income generator – and should be declared even in an editorial."Noakes says the money made from his book sales goes to The Noakes Foundation, not his pocket. The Foundation plans to conduct research on diet and nutrition...