In the face of contradictory evidence: Report of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans

El_Dangeroso

Brilliant editorial in the journal Nutrition this week, I highly recommend a read:

http://www.nutritionjrnl.com/article/S0899-9007(10)00289-3/abstract (Free full text)

Although appealing to an evidence-based methodology, the DGAC Report demonstrates several critical weaknesses, including use of an incomplete body of relevant science; inaccurately representing, interpreting, or summarizing the literature; and drawing conclusions and/or making recommendations that do not reflect the limitations or controversies in the science. An objective assessment of evidence in the DGAC Report does not suggest a conclusive proscription against low-carbohydrate diets. The DGAC Report does not provide sufficient evidence to conclude that increases in whole grain and fiber and decreases in dietary saturated fat, salt, and animal protein will lead to positive health outcomes. Lack of supporting evidence limits the value of the proposed recommendations as guidance for consumers or as the basis for public health policy. It is time to reexamine how US dietary guidelines are created and ask whether the current process is still appropriate for our needs.

So basically what people in the blogosphere have been shouting about for years, there is little credible scientific evidence to support the US food pyramid (and by extension all the dietary recommendations of the western world that basically copy this model)

tHE vAGGABOND

the book "diet delusion" basically says the same thing, and is a great read [IMHO!]

Red Cortina

Wow, that makes pretty interesting reading. Thanks for posting the link