Evaluating Nutrition Information and Misinformation

Anecdotes

Reports of personal experiences.

Evidence based

Information that is based on results of high-quality scientific studies.

Treatment group

Group being studied that receives a treatment.

Control group

Group being studied that does not receive a treatment.

Variable

Personal characteristic or other factor that changes and can influence an outcome.

In vivo experiments

Experiments conducted on whole living organisms, such as mice.

In vitro experiments

Experiments or 'test-tube' experiments conducted on cells or other components derived from living organisms.

Randomized controlled trial (RCT)

An experiment where members of a large group of human subjects are randomly assigned to either the treatment or the control group.

Placebo

Fake treatment, such as a sham pill, injection, or medical procedure.

Placebo effect

Positive response to a placebo.

Observational epidemiological studies

Studies that can determine risk factors that may influence health.

Dietary supplements

Include vitamin pills, as well as products that contain echinacea, ginseng, and garlic.

Registered dietitian nutritionists

Reliable sources of food and nutrition information.

Scientific method

Basic steps used to conduct scientific research.

Direct (positive) relationship

A relationship between two variables where they move in the same direction.

Inverse (negative) relationship

A relationship between two variables where one variable increases as the other decreases.

Laboratory experiments

Systematic ways of testing a hypothesis.

Health outcomes

Results related to specific dietary practices.

Common sense

Judgments based on practical experience rather than scientific evidence.

Conventional wisdom

Tradition-based beliefs about dietary practices.

Intuition

Understanding or knowing something without conscious reasoning.

Peer-reviewed articles

Articles that have been evaluated by experts in the field before publication.

Risk factors

Factors that may influence health outcomes.

Experimental studies

Studies that involve manipulation of variables to determine effects.

Human research

Research involving human subjects to study health outcomes.

Nutrition information

Data and facts related to dietary practices and health.

Scientific research

Systematic investigation to establish facts or principles.

Nutrition experts

Professionals who rely on scientific research to inform dietary practices.

Double-blind study

Experimental design in which neither the participants nor the researchers are aware of each participant's group assignment.

Single-blind study

Researchers know which subjects are in the treatment and control groups.

Epidemiology

The study of the occurrence, distribution, and causes of health problems in populations.

Case-control study

Individuals with a health condition (cases) are matched to persons with similar characteristics who do not have the condition (controls).

Cohort study

Collect information and analyze variables from a large group of people over time; can be retrospective and prospective.

Retrospective

Means 'to look back.' Researchers collect information about a group's past exposures and identify current health outcomes.

Prospective

Means 'to look forward.' Follows a group of healthy people into the future and looks for factors that may have contributed to changes in their health.

Correlation

A relationship between variables. Occurs when two variables change over the same period.

Direct (positive) correlation

Results when two variables change in the same direction.

Inverse (negative) correlation

Occurs when two variables change in opposite directions.

Research Bias

Scientists are expected to collect and analyze data in an honest and objective manner, avoiding the influences of personal attitudes or biases.

Peer review

A critical analysis of the study and its findings conducted by a group of 'peers' (experts involved in related research).

Nutrition misinformation

Information that is incorrect or biased, often found in popular sources such as magazines and the internet.

Conflicting study results

Often the result of different study methods.

Critical Consumer of Nutrition Information

Do not assume that information in popular media is reliable.

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)

A program designed to assess the health and nutritional status of adults and children in the United States.

Statistical methods

Methods used by researchers to analyze data and find relationships between variables and health outcomes.

Publication process

Articles submitted for publication in scientific journals undergo peer review before being published.

Funding sources disclosure

Peer-reviewed scientific journals require authors to disclose funding sources to reveal potential 'conflicts of interest.'

Old beliefs and practices

Discarded when they are not supported by more recent scientific evidence.

Common red flags of misinformation

Signs that indicate nutrition information may be unreliable.

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Instruction indicating that additional information is available in a different format.

Health outcomes

The results or effects of health-related interventions or exposures.

Variables

Factors that can change and affect the outcome of a study.

Epidemiological studies

Studies that cannot establish causation but can determine correlations.

Scientific articles

Research findings that are summarized and submitted for publication in scientific journals.

Nutrition information sources

Different platforms where nutrition information can be found, including peer-reviewed journals and popular media.

Scientific evidence

Data and findings that support or refute a hypothesis or belief in the field of nutrition.

Nutrition Misinformation

Information that is misleading or false regarding nutrition.

Quackery

Promoting useless medical treatments without proper training.

Red Flags 1

Promises of quick and easy remedies, claims that sound too good to be true, scare tactics, and personal attacks on registered dietitian nutritionists.

Red Flags 2

Reliance on testimonials and anecdotes, overlooking risks of products, vague terms, and sensational statements with incomplete references.

Red Flags 3

Recommendations based on a single study and unsupported information concerning nutrients or human physiology.

Results Disclaimer

A statement indicating that the manufacturer is not responsible for verifying claims made about a product.

Reliable Nutrition Experts

Nutrition professors, registered dietitians (RD), and registered dietitian nutritionists (RDN) are considered reliable sources.

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

A legally protected credential for nutrition professionals who meet specific educational and practice requirements.

Becoming an RDN

Complete an ACEND accredited master's degree, a supervised practice program, and pass the national registration examination.

Nutrition Information Sources

Use multiple sites like .gov or .org and rely on those managed by qualified health professionals.

Health On the Net Foundation

An organization that promotes reliable health information online.

Nutritionist Definition

There is no standard definition for 'nutritionist' or 'nutritionalist.'

Internet Information Caution

Consider who sponsors the site and if the information is intended to promote sales.

Vague Terms

Terms that sound scientific but lack specific meaning or context.

Commercial Sites Warning

Be wary of commercial sites (*.com) that may not provide reliable information.

Dietary Supplements

Products intended to supplement the diet, which may include vitamins, minerals, herbs, or other botanicals.

Peer-Reviewed Nutrition Journal

A scientific journal that publishes articles reviewed by experts in the field before publication.

Scare Tactics

Using fear to influence consumer behavior regarding health products.

Personal Endorsement

A testimonial given by an individual promoting a product based on personal experience.

Scientific Evidence

Information that is supported by reliable and verifiable scientific research.

ACEND

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics, which accredits educational programs in dietetics.

Supervised Practice Program

A practical training component required for becoming a registered dietitian.

National Registration Examination

An exam that must be passed to become a registered dietitian nutritionist.

Nutrition Information Research

The process of questioning and researching the accuracy of nutrition information.

Testimonials

Statements from consumers about their experiences with a product, often used in marketing.

Anecdotes

Personal stories or accounts that may not be scientifically validated.

Claims of Superiority

Statements asserting that certain dietary supplements or practices are better than conventional methods.

Incomplete References

Citations that do not provide full details, making it difficult to verify the information.

Dietary Supplement

According to the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA), a dietary supplement adds to a person's dietary intake and contains one or more dietary ingredients, including nutrients or botanicals (herbs or other plant materials), is taken by mouth, and is a concentrate, metabolite, constituent, or extract.

Examples of Dietary Supplements

Dietary supplements include nutrient pills (for example multivitamin/mineral products), protein powders, and herbal extracts.

Conventional Medicine

Health care practices that are widely accepted and used by mainstream medical practitioners, such as surgical procedures, FDA-approved medications, and dietary patterns that promote good health.

Alternative Health Care

Health care practices that are not widely accepted and used by conventional medical practitioners, such as the use of dietary supplements, yoga, chiropractic manipulations, and meditation.

Integrative Medicine

When conventional and alternative health care practices are combined.

Regulation of Dietary Supplements

Dietary supplements are regulated as a category of foods nontraditional, not as drugs, and can bypass many strict FDA regulations imposed on medications.

FDA Standards for Supplements

The FDA sets quality standards but does not test supplements to ensure standards are met.

Quality Testing for Supplements

Supplement manufacturers can choose to have quality testing done by certain nongovernmental agencies to receive a 'seal of approval.' This is not a guarantee that supplements are safe or effective.

Safety of Micronutrient Supplements

When used properly, micronutrient supplements are generally safe.

Risks of Herbal Supplements

Herbal supplements may contain toxins, with highly toxic or cancer-causing plants including comfrey, pennyroyal, sassafras, kava, lobelia, and ma huang.

Consulting a Physician

Determine whether the supplement is necessary and discuss your need for the supplement with your physician or RDN.

Children and Supplements

Consult a physician before giving products to children.

Serious Illness Symptoms

Consult a physician as soon as you develop signs and symptoms of a serious illness.

Investigating Supplement Claims

Be wary of claims made about a supplement's benefits and investigate by searching for reliable information.

Hazards of Supplements

Determine hazards associated with taking the supplement (risks vs. benefits).

Nutritious Foods vs. Supplements

Avoid using dietary supplements as substitutes for nutritious foods.