Herman Le Compte (April 26, 1929, in Aalst – January 3, 2008, in Knokke) was a Belgian physician and gerontologist.

Biography

Known across his native Flanders as the "Vitamin Doctor," Le Compte became famous during the 1960s with a series of books and TV shows dedicated to health and aging.^[1] He claimed that vitamins and yeast would increase longevity, and called for elders taking a more active role in society.^[1] His claims led to a lifelong ban by the Belgian medical association.^[1]

Despite the ban, he continued to practise medicine leading to his arrest. After a two-decade legal fight he was vindicated by the ECHR and legally allowed to practise again.

Le Compte died in his sleep of a heart attack on January 3, 2008, in Knokke, Belgium.^[1]