NUTRITION QUACKERY Medical Quackery What exactly is quackery

Medical Quackery What exactly is quackery? “Type of health fraud that promotes products and

Background In 2007, Americans spent $39. 5 billion on CAM services. Not all of

Why it exists Lack of laws preventing selling dietary supplements. Lack of credentials for

DSHEA - 1994 Background history of DSHEA Changes made in 2002 http: //www. youtube.

Labeling Claims are only allowed to state: May REDUCE risk or may improve condition.

Claims and Promises Red flags: Promise a quick/easy fix. Claims too good to be

Nutrition Quackery The most profitable of all quackeries! Includes: Diet supplements, weight loss products,

Evaluating Health Information Who runs the website / who paid for the study? What

The Good News “A 2006 survey conducted by the American College Health Association indicated

Simple Tips Find the original source Watch for misleading language Know the difference between

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NUTRITION QUACKERY

Medical Quackery What exactly is quackery? “Type of health fraud that promotes products and services that have questionable and unproven scientific bases. ” (quackwatch. org) Usually “cure”. the product promises to

Background In 2007, Americans spent $39. 5 billion on CAM services. Not all of those are considered quackery.

Why it exists Lack of laws preventing selling dietary supplements. Lack of credentials for nutritionists Findings that go public before duplication Targets for quackery: The elderly or aging Those with disabling diseases Those who want to lose weight Athletes

DSHEA - 1994 Background history of DSHEA Changes made in 2002 http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=YKy. M 8 Dz 8 mec

Labeling Claims are only allowed to state: May REDUCE risk or may improve condition. Must include “has not been evaluated by the FDA” and “product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. ” Do you always hear these disclaimers?

Claims and Promises Red flags: Promise a quick/easy fix. Claims too good to be true. Promise “cures” for a wide range of illnesses. Promote “special ingredient” Guarantee all results. Use a lot of testimonials/undocumented case histories from satisfied patients. Offer special offers for a low, low price.

Nutrition Quackery The most profitable of all quackeries! Includes: Diet supplements, weight loss products, herbal remedies, sports/energy products. Why is it so easy for these products to succeed? FDA regulations do not regulate since they are not drugs.

Evaluating Health Information Who runs the website / who paid for the study? What is the purpose? What or who is the original source of information? How is the information documented? Can the information be verified by other credible sources?

The Good News “A 2006 survey conducted by the American College Health Association indicated that college students are smart about evaluating health information. They trust the health information they receive from health professionals and educators and are skeptical about popular information sources. ” (Fahey, et al, 2009)

Simple Tips Find the original source Watch for misleading language Know the difference between research reports and public health advice Be skeptical