Category: Nutrition

Artificial Sweeteners – A Free Lunch, or an Obesogenic Carcinogen? What 80+ Studies Say (part 2 of 2)

In the second and final chapter of this two part series, I conclude my exploration of the impact of artificial sweeteners on obesity, diabetes, the gut microbiome, and cancer.

/ June 4, 2021

Artificial Sweeteners – A Free Lunch, or an Obesogenic Carcinogen? What 80+ Studies Say (part 1 of 2).

In this two part series, I explore the impact of artificial sweeteners on obesity, diabetes, the gut microbiome, and cancer. Part one of two!

/ May 21, 2021

Lose Weight without Diet or Exercise? Where’s the Proof?

Can an obese person lose 52 pounds in 28 days without diet or exercise, by simply taking this pill? Yeah, sure! Pull the other one!

/ April 13, 2021

A Pattern of Deceptive Video Ads for Supplements

I've been seeing a pattern of deceptive videos that promise to reveal a secret but make you watch the entire video to learn what it is. They feature alarmist stories, emotional language, and testimonials, but no actual science. They make claims that can't be believed.

/ February 9, 2021

The McDougall Diet

Dr. McDougall is a maverick who disagrees with most experts. He recommends a high starch, low fat diet with no dairy or animal foods and other prohibitions. Its severe restrictions make it nutritionally questionable and it has never been properly tested in a controlled study.

/ October 20, 2020

Can “optimizing your metabolism” through diet prevent or cure COVID-19?

A favorite claim by those favoring "holistic" therapies is that using diet to "optimize metabolism" can prevent or treat COVID-19. These claims are of a piece with similar claims for many other diseases and are just as exaggerated.

/ August 31, 2020

“(Un)Well:” Netflix’s Documentary Series Is Poor Journalism That Neglects Science

The (Un)Well documentary series on Netflix asks "Wellness: does it bring health and healing, or are we falling victim to false promises?" But instead of answers, it offers false balance and confusion.

/ August 25, 2020

The Hallelujah Diet

The Hallelujah Diet is said to be supported by both the Bible and by science. Neither is true.

/ August 18, 2020

Vitamin D supplements do not reduce the risk of depression

A newly-published randomized controlled trial finds vitamin D supplementation has no effect on depression. This adds to the long list of medical conditions for which vitamin D supplementation has turned out to be ineffective.

/ August 6, 2020

Should We Avoid Dairy Out of Fear of Cancer?

A doctor is adamant about avoiding dairy because IGF-1 allows cancer cells to multiply. I think he's relying on speculation and an over-abundance of caution.

/ June 9, 2020