Science Media

"Science is always moving forward, albeit sometimes slowly. One study is not enough to make a guideline or a recommendation, or cure a disease. Science is a stepwise process that builds on past evidence and finally culminates into a well-accepted conclusion. Unfortunately, not all scientific conclusions are developed in the interest of human health, and some can be biased. Therefore, it is important to know where a scientific study was conducted and who provided the funding, as this can have an impact on the scientific conclusions being made. For example, an air quality study paid for by a tobacco company diminishes its value in the minds of readers as well as a red meat study performed at a laboratory funded by a national beef association.\n\nOne of the newest areas in the realm of nutritional science is the scientific discipline of nutritional genetics, also called nutrigenomics. Genes are part of DNA and contain the genetic information that make up all of our traits. Genes are codes for proteins and when they are turned “on” or “off,” they change how the body works. While we know that health is defined as more than just the absence of disease, there are currently very few accurate genetic markers of good health. Rather, there are many more genetic markers for disease. However, science is evolving, and nutritional genetics aims to identify what nutrients to eat to “turn on” healthy genes and “turn off” genes that cause disease.\n\nAs science evolves, so does technology. Both can be used to create a healthy diet, optimize health, and prevent disease. A future “dietary watch” might painlessly sample blood and download information to a cell phone, where an app evaluates the nutrient profile of the blood and recommends a snack or dinner menu to maintain adequate nutrient levels. Another app might provide a shopping list that adheres to dietary guidelines and is emailed to a local grocer, who then delivers the food. Food stored in a smart fridge could document a daily diet and deliver a weekly dietary assessment to a home computer. At the computer, a person could compare a diet with other diets aimed at weight loss, optimal strength training, reduction in risk for specific diseases or other health goals. Nutritional genetics could also allow gene expression profiles to be downloaded to a database that analyzes genes against millions of others.\n\nIn this age of information, where instant Internet access is just a click away, it is easy to be misled if you do not know where to go for reliable nutrition information. When reading nutrition-related claims, articles, websites, or advertisements, always remember that one study does not substantiate a fact. One study neither proves nor disproves anything. Readers who may be looking for complex answers to nutritional dilemmas can quickly misconstrue such statements and be led down a path of misinformation.\n\nThe scientific study under discussion should be published in a peer reviewed journal, such as the Journal of Nutrition. Question studies that come from less trustworthy sources, such as non peer-reviewed journals or websites, or that are not formally published. The report should disclose the methods used by the researchers, including how long the study lasted, the number of participants, what the participants actually did, and whether the researchers observed the results themselves or relied on self reports. Consider whether the subjects were humans or animals and whether their traits or characteristics make the study applicable. Credible reports often disseminate new findings in the context of previous research. A single study on its own gives very limited information, but a body of literature supporting a finding adds credibility. Peer-reviewed articles deliver a broad perspective and are inclusive of findings of many studies on the same subject.\n\nWhen reading such news, ask yourself, “Is this making sense?” Even if coffee does adversely affect the nervous system, consider whether you drink enough of it to see any negative effects. If a headline professes a new remedy for a nutrition-related topic, it may be a research-supported piece of news, but more often than not, it is a sensational story designed to catch the attention of an unsuspecting consumer. Track down the original journal article to see if it really supports the conclusions being drawn in the news report.\n\nWhen reading information on websites, consider who sponsors the website, whether names and credentials are disclosed, whether an editorial board is identified, whether the site contains links to other credible informational websites, and whether it references peer-reviewed journal articles. If it references journal articles, determine whether those articles actually back up the claims being made on the website. Also consider how often the website is updated, whether you are being sold something, and whether the website charges a fee. Authoritative nutritional news will be based upon solid scientific evidence, supported by multiple studies, and published in peer-reviewed journals."