There are few simple tools that can help you filter any new health information.
July 14, 2006 (Press Release) --
Q: When it comes to health news, how can a person ever hope to know the difference between hype and fact? When my dad was growing up, all of the "experts" began telling consumers to switch from butter to margarine, which we now know contains trans fats and did more harm than good. Many of those margarine-eating folks are having quadruple and quintuple bypass surgery today.
At one time, I worked for attorneys who would hire "experts" to promote their clients' position in trial. These experts seemed to skew their "interpretation" of data to fit the case. I have no doubt that food and drug manufacturers do the same to promote their products. So, how can we trust expert advice when it could be biased?
First eggs are bad, and then they're good. First coffee is bad, and now it is said to be rich in antioxidants. First vitamin E is good, now it is said to cause heart damage if taken regularly in large doses ... and on and on.
A: Touch! Having studied the science of nutrition for some time, I too am baffled by the changing recommendations. Like your dad, back in the day, I thought that butter was the devil spawned. I witnessed the fat-free phenomenon and all of the confusion that it garnered with food labels being refashioned into regulations regarding health claims (not too bad of a deal). I then watched vitamin Es rise and fall as a cardiovascular cure-all. How can you make sound decisions when the advice about health and nutrition seems to change with the seasons?
Applying the science does not require a string of alphabets behind your name. It does require that you tune-up your quack-dar, however. There are few simple tools that can help you filter any new health information:
If a health claim seems too good to be true, it is. So, diet pills and miracle supplements in high dosages will not help you shed 30 pounds during the summer or cure chronic headaches.
There is no one cure-all food. Broccoli is good for you but so are watermelon, beets and fish. One does not trump the other in meeting your nutritional needs.
When the cost of the fix spikes your typical food expenses, it is not essential. Can you invest each 20 bucks that you spent on noni juice [link to health Day article]toward new gym shoes? We are not sure if noni helps chronic conditions like diabetes, but the exercise that you get out of those shoes will get you closer to lowering your blood sugars.
Dont believe everything on the Web, television or in print. People with deep interests in health topics are creating Web sites faster than the speed of light. Passion alone does not breed expertise. Before signing on to the health advice online, make sure that the person making the recommendations is a certified and experienced health expert.
There is no substitute for reliable professional advice. Do you go to your vet when you have the flu? Im glad that you dont. Establish a relationship with a registered dietitian for the most reliable information on nutrition, the barber for your haircuts, your doctor for medical advice, etc.
Source: http://health.msn.com
At one time, I worked for attorneys who would hire "experts" to promote their clients' position in trial. These experts seemed to skew their "interpretation" of data to fit the case. I have no doubt that food and drug manufacturers do the same to promote their products. So, how can we trust expert advice when it could be biased?
First eggs are bad, and then they're good. First coffee is bad, and now it is said to be rich in antioxidants. First vitamin E is good, now it is said to cause heart damage if taken regularly in large doses ... and on and on.
A: Touch! Having studied the science of nutrition for some time, I too am baffled by the changing recommendations. Like your dad, back in the day, I thought that butter was the devil spawned. I witnessed the fat-free phenomenon and all of the confusion that it garnered with food labels being refashioned into regulations regarding health claims (not too bad of a deal). I then watched vitamin Es rise and fall as a cardiovascular cure-all. How can you make sound decisions when the advice about health and nutrition seems to change with the seasons?
Applying the science does not require a string of alphabets behind your name. It does require that you tune-up your quack-dar, however. There are few simple tools that can help you filter any new health information:
If a health claim seems too good to be true, it is. So, diet pills and miracle supplements in high dosages will not help you shed 30 pounds during the summer or cure chronic headaches.
There is no one cure-all food. Broccoli is good for you but so are watermelon, beets and fish. One does not trump the other in meeting your nutritional needs.
When the cost of the fix spikes your typical food expenses, it is not essential. Can you invest each 20 bucks that you spent on noni juice [link to health Day article]toward new gym shoes? We are not sure if noni helps chronic conditions like diabetes, but the exercise that you get out of those shoes will get you closer to lowering your blood sugars.
Dont believe everything on the Web, television or in print. People with deep interests in health topics are creating Web sites faster than the speed of light. Passion alone does not breed expertise. Before signing on to the health advice online, make sure that the person making the recommendations is a certified and experienced health expert.
There is no substitute for reliable professional advice. Do you go to your vet when you have the flu? Im glad that you dont. Establish a relationship with a registered dietitian for the most reliable information on nutrition, the barber for your haircuts, your doctor for medical advice, etc.
Source: http://health.msn.com
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