Dear Coach: I hear so much conflicting information on the news and in the media…. how can I know what’s really true?
The answer to this question is best answered by Dr. Pam Popper of Wellness Forum Health:
There is no question that being a consumer of health and nutrition information is difficult. We live in an information age, and this is both a blessing and a curse. There is more information available than ever before, but the sheer magnitude of it and the conflicting nature of it can cause mass confusion.
Here are some basics that can help. First, Wikopedia, blogs and other online discussions are not the best source of information about diet and health. The best sources are medical and scientific journals and responsible health care professionals who document their points of view with valid science, and do not have hidden agendas (for example, being on the payroll of agricultural organizations and industry).
Furthermore, the opinions and observations of health care professionals are inconsequential – health is a scientific endeavor and although observations and opinions are interesting, they should not be relied on to reach important conclusions about diet health. Many health care professionals are writing great storybooks, but they are not writing books about what the preponderance of the scientific evidence concludes about health.
To add to the confusion, many national health care organizations, although staffed by lots of well-meaning individuals who want to help people, are funded by business and agricultural organizations, which creates conflicts of interest in giving advice to the public.
Cyd’s comment: In summary, get your information from third party, independent sources; ones that are not tainted by the influence of business and industry. Dr. McDougall, Dr. T. Colin Campbell, Dr. Barnard, Dr. Esselstyn, Dr. Greger, and Dr. Popper of Wellness Forum Health are examples of such individuals and organizations.
Note: Information provided on this website is for general dietary purposes only and is not intended to be construed as personal medical advice. Please consult your physician for medical advice pertaining specifically to you.