Nutritional
Claims
As more and more
people educate themselves
about the relationship
between diet and
disease, they're
turning to nutritional
remedies to supplement
or augment traditional
medicine. Although
it's good that nutrition
information is so
readily available,
it's often difficult
to distinguish legitimate
information from
the false or unsupported
claims. But even
if you aren't a
nutrition expert,
you can evaluate
the validity of
a nutritional claim,
product or diet
plan with these
simple guidelines.
A nutritional claim
is questionable
if:
- It sounds
"too good to be
true." Does
the claim imply
an immediate cure
or dramatic relief
from one or several
illnesses? If
so, it probably
is too good to
be true. Nutrition
scientists, dietitians
and physicians
will tell you
that the right
diet can help
you treat a disease
or decrease your
risk of developing
one, but it won't
provide a quick
cure-all.
- You must
use a specialized
food or product
to get the promised
results. If
someone tells
you that you must
use their products
to lose weight
or stay healthy,
ask to see research
that supports
their claims
- You must
eat certain "magic"
foods every day
or avoid entire
food groups altogether.
You need a variety
of foods to meet
your nutritional
needs for protein,
carbohydrates,
fat and the essential
vitamins and minerals.
By eating only
selected items
or by removing
whole food groups
from your diet,
you'll increase
your risk of nutrient,
vitamin and mineral
deficiencies.
- The plan
calls for large
or "megadoses"
of vitamins or
minerals.
If a diet suggests
vitamin or mineral
doses that exceed
the recommended
daily allowance
(RDA), ask for
any research that
supports such
doses. When it
comes to vitamins,
more isn't always
better. In some
cases, excessive
vitamin doses
can interfere
with your body's
absorption of
other nutrients
and actually make
you sick.
- The credentials
of the individual
offering the nutritional
advice are questionable.
Double-check any
"expert" claims.
Find out what
kind of education
self-proclaimed
experts have had,
particularly when
they call themselves
"nutritionists."
For example, a
registered dietitian
(RD) must complete
a comprehensive
education program
and pass an exam
to be registered
by the American
Dietetic Association.
- The promoter
of the product
or program disparages
traditional medical
treatments, contradicts
established treatments
or relies on personal
experience to
support his or
her claim.
The medical community
readily accepts
and uses nutrition
therapies that
scientific research
studies have proven
safe and effective.
Claims that aren't
supported by research
or accepted by
health care providers
may not produce
the promised effect
-- and may even
be dangerous to
your health.
When evaluating
nutritional claims
and products, ask
questions. No question
is a dumb question.
In addition, always
talk to your primary
care doctor before
starting any new
nutrition regimen
or taking any nutrient,
vitamin or mineral
supplement.
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