Fact Sheet No. 9.350 Food and Nutrition Series| Health
by L. Bellows and R. Moore*
With the growing body of knowledge 7. Lists of "good" and "bad" foods. Quick Facts supporting the connection between diet and 8. Spinning information from another overall health, many consumers are taking product to match the producers claims. Food fads, fad diets, health personal health and nutrition decisions into 9. Stating that research is currently fraud, and misdirected health their own hands. Individuals are becoming underway, indicating that there is no claims are all types of nutrition more reliant on nutrition information from current research. misinformation. sources such as websites, television, radio, 10. Non-science based testimonials newspapers, advertisements, friends, and supporting the product, often from A nutrition expert is known family, thereby creating opportunities for celebrities or highly satisfied customers. as a registered dietitian (RD) nutrition misinformation and health fraud. Problems within the industry that aid in or a licensed dietitian (LD), Health fraud is defined as misrepresentation the promotion of fraudulent nutrition claims and has a specialized degree of health claims, and can range from a include: in dietetics, nutrition, public self-proclaimed medical expert who has health, or related sciences. discovered a so-called miracle cure, to a Limited enforcement of laws and food supplement or drug that is promoted regulations that prevent a producer from Do not rely on manufacturer with unsubstantiated health claims. Accurate labeling and selling a product under the claims when determining if a nutrition information is science-based, term dietary supplement. product is safe. Instead, seek peer reviewed, and replicable. Nutrition Individuals identifying themselves out unbiased science-based misinformation is not supported by science as nutritionists who have dubious research. and may be misleading and incomplete. It credentials from non-accredited schools. can be challenging for consumers to tease Research scientists who go public with Consult a medical out reputable versus fraudulent nutrition their findings before their study has professional with questions information and claims. been published in a scientific journal about dietary supplements The following information regarding or duplicated, resulting in consumer including vitamins, minerals, nutrition misinformation and fraud should confusion. herbs and botanicals. serve as a guide, allowing the consumer to The best way to protect sift through nutritional claims in order to Who Are the make the best decision for his or her personal against questionable health Nutrition Experts? products and services is to health. Consumers should be aware of these top ten red flags for misleading claims: A qualified nutrition expert is known be an informed consumer. Be as a registered dietitian (RD) or a licensed aware of the common claims 1. Recommendations that promise a quick dietitian (LD), and has specialized degree in and themes that accompany fix. dietetics, nutrition, public health, or related nutrition misinformation. 2. Dire warnings of danger from a single sciences from an accredited university. These product or regimen. individuals may also hold advanced degrees 3. Claims that sound too good to be true. such as M.S., M.Ed., Sc.D., M.D. or Ph.D., 4. Simplistic conclusions drawn from a and must undergo continuing education on complex study. a regular basis. On the other hand, the terms 5. Recommendations based on a single nutritionist and diet counselor, are not study. regulated and may be used by self-proclaimed 6. Dramatic statements that are refuted by experts without proper qualifications. reputable scientific organizations. Colorado State University Extension. 12/98. Revised 9/13. www.ext.colostate.edu * L. Bellows, Colorado State University Extension food and nutrition specialist and assistant professor; R. Moore, graduate student. 9/2013 Resources to find a nutrition expert cure a disease. Examples include the from arthritis should see a physician for Receive a referral from a personal grapefruit diet or low carb diet. therapy tailored to their needs. doctor or local hospital. Health Fraud is similar to food fads Check with the Academy of Nutrition and fad diets, except that it is intentionally Cancer and Dietetics (AND) website to find misleading, with the expectation that a Rates of Complementary and a referral for a dietitian in your area: profit will be gained. Health fraud includes Alternative Medicine (CAM) use by www.eatright.org. products or diets that have no scientific Americans are particularly high among Contact your local public health basis, yet are still promoted for good health patients with cancer. Effective cancer department, Extension Service, or and well-being. Common examples include treatment depends on early diagnosis nutrition department of a state or local promises of fast, quick, and easy weight and treatment, and the use of alternative university. loss, or a miracle, cure-all product. treatments may allow the disease to Misdirected Health Claims are progress beyond the treatable stage. For How to recognize reliable nutrition misguided statements made by producers example, diets that are low in protein and advice from media sources that lead consumers to believe a food is many drugs marketed for cancer patients healthier than actually the case. Examples have no proven results. However, a small Internet: Websites should be from include foods that are low in fat or low in number of alternative treatments are credible web addresses ending in .edu (an carbohydrates, yet still high in calories. finding a place in cancer treatment as a educational institution), .gov (government agency), or .org (non-profit). Any web compliment to therapy in helping patients pages that end in .com (commercial) or .net feel better and recover faster. Acupuncture, Target Populations for (networks) should be reviewed for example, has been effective in managing Questionable Treatments chemotherapy-associated nausea and with caution. Alternative treatments are designed vomiting and in controlling pain associated Books, newspapers, and magazines: to appeal to many individuals, however, with surgery. Red flags for fraudulent Examine the authors qualifications. He certain age groups or those with a cancer treatment claims: or she should be educated in the field of particular medical condition are more likely nutrition/dietetics, and preferably hold Treats all forms of cancer to be targeted. A healthy lifestyle-including a degree from an accredited university Skin cancer will disappear a nutritious diet, regular physical activity, (RD, DTR, LD, or MD). These individuals Shrinks malignant tumors and avoiding tobacco products, may help should also belong to a credible nutrition Non-toxic delay conditions associated with aging, organization. Doesnt make you sick chronic pain, and other conditions. Television: Make sure that the findings Avoid painful surgery, radiotherapy, are well researched and repeatable; one chemotherapy, or other conventional Older Adults study doesnt make a finding absolute. Be treatments critical and look for follow up studies. A large portion of healthcare fraud is Treats non-melanoma skin cancers For all media sources: Make sure targeted to those over the age of 65, and easily and safely the information is referenced with cited many victims belong to this population. sources. Seek out multiple perspectives Many products claim to reverse or delay HIV/AIDS regarding nutrition advice, and ask a conditions associated with aging, such as Some individuals who are HIV-positive nutrition expert about the source of the vitamins and minerals that claim to cure or who have AIDS may spend millions of findings. Ensure that the information is or prevent disease or lengthen life. There dollars collectively, abroad or illegally in current and informing, not attempting to are no anti-aging treatments that have been this country, to obtain unproven drugs and advertise or sell a product. proven to slow or reverse the aging process. therapy. These drugs provide little benefit and are often toxic. People who are HIV Chronic Pain and Inflammation Types of Nutrition positive or who have AIDS may delay (Arthritis) and/or interfere with effective treatment Misinformation Individuals who suffer from chronic, by using alternatives. For example, garlic Food Fads and Fad Diets are defined painful, and/or incurable illnesses may turn and St. Johns wort have been shown to as unusual diets and eating patterns that to questionable treatments. Many of these adversely interfere with HIV medication. promote short-term weight loss, with no illnesses, such as arthritis for example, may concern for long-term weight maintenance go into spontaneous remission, where pain Weight-Loss or overall health. These diets are often and swelling can disappear for days, weeks, Weight-loss schemes and devices are the trendy and may be popular for short months or even years. When individuals most popular form of fraud. Weight-loss is periods of time. Food fads and fad diets experience such a remission, they may a multibillion dollar industry that includes have no scientific basis, and promote believe that a certain remedy or treatment books, fad diets, drugs, special foods, and ideas that consuming (or not consuming) has provided relief. These treatments not weight-loss clinics. Some products or certain food items, vitamin and mineral only are ineffective, but they may also treatments may lead to weight-loss, but the supplements, and combinations of certain do considerable harm and delay proper effect is usually temporary. In addition, fad foods, will help one lose weight or prevent/ diagnosis and treatment. Those who suffer diets may not provide adequate calories or with nutrition misinformation, and may Additional Resources nutrients and can be harmful. Most dietary help consumers evaluate questionable For more information on spotting supplements are not reviewed and tested by advertising and sales techniques: fraudulent claims, see the FDA website the government before they are placed on Does the seller promise immediate, at: www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ the market. effortless or guaranteed results? ProtectYourself/HealthFraud/default.htm. The only way to lose weight effectively Does the advertisement contain The following fact sheets, available and safely is to increase activity while words like "break-through," "miracle," from Colorado State University Extension, decreasing food intake. Weight-loss should "special" or "secret"? These are used to include reputable information from be gradual, 1 to 2 pounds per week, to allow appeal to your emotions and are not nutrition experts: for the development and maintenance of scientific or medical words. new dietary habits. Consult a registered Nutrition for the Athlete Is the product or service a "secret Weight Loss Diet Books, dietitian or medical professional to remedy" or a recent discovery that determine a safe and effective weight loss Programs, and Products cannot be found anywhere else? Dietary Supplements: Herbals program. Is the product recommended for and Botanicals stress, or being promoted as "natural," Weight Management: Its All Adolescence claiming it will help "detoxify," About You Adolescents may experience feelings "revitalize" and "purify" your body? Dietary Supplements: Vitamins of insecurity about physical development, Does the manufacturer claim that the and Minerals causing many to experiment with products product is effective for a wide variety that promise to enhance appearance or of ailments, or a cure all? The broader speed development. Weight loss methods the claims, the less likely they are to References are extremely popular and as many as 46% be true. Duyff, ADA. American Dietetic of teens report that they are currently trying Do the promoters offer testimonials Association: Complete Food and to lose weight. Fad diets are especially or case histories of patients who have Nutrition Guide. Hoboken: John Wiley dangerous during adolescence because been "cured"? & Sons, Inc., 2006. teens have high nutritional needs required Are vitamin and mineral dose Federal Trade Commission (FTC). to support rapid growth and development. recommendations greater than the Consumer Information: Health & Dietary Reference Intake (DRI)? Fitness. Available at http://www. Athletes Reliable sources will make only consumer.ftc.gov/topics/health-fitness Athletes may be susceptible to recommendations that are in line with last accessed on May 1, 2013. unsubstantiated claims for ergogenic aids, the DRIs. National Institutes of Health (NIH). or performance enhancing supplements, Is the product being sold by a self- National Center for Complementary as they attempt to gain a competitive edge. proclaimed "health advisor"? Insist and Alternative Medicine. What is Ergogenics are defined as substances or on identification and professional Complementary and Alternative procedures that are reported to increase credentials that are nationally Medicine? Available at http://nccam. energy or otherwise enhance athletic accredited and recognized, such as a nih.gov/health/whatiscam last accessed performance. Athletes that already adhere registered dietitian (RD). on May 9, 2013. to proper training, coaching, and diet, Does the sponsor claim to have a cure National Institutes of Health (NIH). may look for an advantage by resorting for a disease (like arthritis or cancer) National Center for Complementary to nutritional supplements. Nutritionally which is not yet understood and Alternative Medicine. HIV (Human based ergogenic aids have increased by medical sources? Immunodeficiency Virus). Available in popularity with the ban of anabolic Do the promoters use guilt or fear to at http://nccam.nih.gov/health/hiv last steroid use. The popularity of ergogenic sell the product? accessed May 9, 2013. aids may also be due to media sources Does the advertisement claim Food National Institutes of Health (NIH). such as magazines containing nutrition and Drug Administration (FDA) National Center for Complementary information for athletes. Popular products approval? It is illegal to suggest FDA and Alternative Medicine. Arthritis. include aspartic acid, bee pollen, brewer's approval as a part of any marketing Available at http://nccam.nih.gov/ yeast, choline, gelatin, ginseng, glycine, claim. However, all medical products health/arthritis last accessed on inosine, kelp, lecithin, protein supplements sold across state lines must be May 9, 2013. and wheat germ oil. registered with the FDA. Ask for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). FDA proof of product listing if in National Institute on Aging. Health doubt. & Aging: Age Page. Beware of Health Summary: How Can You Do the producers claim that the Scams. Available at http://www.nia.nih. Protect Yourself? product is available in limited gov/health/publication/beware-health- The best way to protect against quantities and recommend the scams last accessed on May 9, 2013. questionable health products and services is consumer pay in advance? Nutrition Business Journal. NBJs to be an informed consumer. The following Is there promise of a money-back Complementary and Alternative list of claims and themes are common guarantee? Medicine and Practitioner Supplement Sales Report 2007. Available at http:// nutritionbusinessjournal.com/ alternative-medicine/market-research/ nbjs_complementary_alternative_ medicine_practitioner_supplement_ sales_2007/. Last accessed on May 9, 2013. Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). Trends in the Prevalence of Obesity, Dietary Behaviors, and Weight Control Practices National YRBS: 2011. Available at http://www.cdc. gov/healthyyouth/yrbs/index.htm last accessed on May 9, 2013.
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