ISMNT NEWS: Disease Prevention by Exploring Molecular Mechanisms Linked to Nutrition

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ISMNT News #10 relates to recent discussions on nutrition misinformation. It is indeed a sad experience that for decades nutrition remains an area where misinformation is widespread. The weight loss patch story provides such an example. Although we are aware of a recent paper on the topical application of drugs to induce lipolysis we consider the expectations based on these experiments being totally unjustified. We also want to apologize that the commercial part of the mail had unfortunately not been deleted before posting. The question obviously arises whether the ISMNT Mailing List should only be involved in the discussion of scientific data or whether we should also keep an eye on processes we all dislike and join forces to prevent misinformation. In this respect we would like to refer to a recent paper of the American Dietetic Association dealing with similar topics. Any comments and suggestions are most welcome.

The key reference is by:

Ashley JM; Jarvis WT

POSITION OF THE AMERICAN DIETETIC ASSOCIATION: FOOD AND NUTRITION MISINFORMATION in

J Am Diet Assoc, 1995 Jun, 95:6, 705-7

... Food and nutrition experts, including ADA members, need to take an active role in helping consumers recognize misinformation. The challenge of dealing with food and nutrition misinformation is long-standing and persistent.

However, qualified dietetics professionals, in partnership with other members of the health-care team, educators, and representatives of the food industry, can be a forceful voice against food and nutrition misinformation.

Qualified dietetics professionals can positively shape the food choices of Americans by collaborating with the media to communicate balanced nutrition information to consumers and to counter misinformation; writing letters to the editors of newspapers and magazines to counter inaccurate and biased articles; calling television and radio shows that interview nutrition extremists and purveyors of misinformation to express their professional concerns; directing the news media and consumers to responsible sources of nutrition information; encouraging researchers to present their results with a balanced perspective; collaborating with the food industry to provide reliable nutrition information; and cooperating with other practitioners to expose emerging misinformation, misbeliefs, frauds, and quackery before they are widely accepted.