Chapter 12. Nutrition Fads, Fallacies, and Scams

Most Americans probably are harmed to some degree by nutrition fads and fallacies. Promoters of nutrition quackery are well-organized and skilled at arousing and exploiting fears and false hopes. Their most persuasive sales pitch is that everyone should take supplements to be sure of getting enough vitamins and minerals. However, it is more sensible for individuals worried about this to keep a food diary for several days and have a physician or registered dietitian determine whether any problem exists.

Supplements and "health foods" have been recommended for virtually every ailment. However, there is little or no scientific evidence to support such recommendations. Megadoses of vitamins and minerals have few legitimate uses and should never be taken without competent medical advice. Anyone who recommends supplements for everyone should be ignored.

FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION ADVERTISING CASES INVOLVING WEIGHT LOSS PRODUCTS AND SERVICES http://www.ftc.gov/opa/1997/9703/dietcase.htm

Center For Science In The Public Interest Web Site: http://www.cspinet.org/

Nutrition Bar Rating: http://www.cspinet.org/nah/12_00/barexam.html