Problems with research - Part II
Experts have been increasingly concerned about, and questioning the validity of research, claiming that as much as 90% of research done today is wrong. Part I of this article talks about some of the leading professionals questioning research today.
In Part I, we began to discuss two studies with conflicting results, and that you must know what was used in the study to truly understand it.
For example, the early studies on Vitamin E and its prevention and treatment of heart disease was done using wheat germ oil. Wheat germ oil contains ALL of the Vitamin E complex, not just a fractional component (d-alpha tocopherol). It showed remarkable benefits to the heart. In the past two decades two studies done using Vitamin E on cardiovascular disease showed that there was a 10% greater probability of having a stroke or heart attack if you took Vitamin E versus taking no Vitamin E at all!
How can there be two diametrically opposite findings? If you study the research, you will find that in the newer studies they used the fractional component of the Vitamin E complex called d-alpha-tocoperol, not the full, true, real Vitamin E (wheat germ oil). It's like comparing a golf ball to an egg. They are not the same. One is chemical, the other is food. The true findings should have stated "d-alpha tocopherol form of Vitamin E, Increases the Risk of Heart Disease."
Another similar study found Vitamin A supplements to be ineffective in helping with eye disease. Here again they used the synthetic Beta Carotene, rather than the full Vitamin A complex as found in foods such as carrots and liver. Knowing what they are using in the studies makes all the difference. But who reads that? The companies count on you not reading the full research.
Another example relates to dietary concerns. For years we've had pounded in our heads that eating fat makes us fat. The movement from high fat foods to low fat foods caused us to increase our intake of carbohydrates, successfully skyrocketing the rate of obesity. As Dr. Walter Willett, Chairman of the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health says, "Fat is not the problem... carbohydrates are."
Dr. Edward Saltzman, associate professor of nutrition at Tufts University concurs, saying, "Dietary fat used to be public enemy No. 1. Now a growing and convincing body of science is pointing to carbs..."
Dr. Frank Hu, professor of nutrition and epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health stated, "The country's big low-fat message backfired. The overemphasis on reducing fat caused the consumption of carbohydrates and sugar in our diets to soar. That shift may be linked to the biggest health problems in America today."
In part III we will talk about hormone replacement, incomplete information and more that significantly alters the results of research.
Holly Carling is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Licensed Acupuncturist, Doctor of Naturopathy, Clinical Nutritionist and Master Herbologist with over 30 years of experience. Dr. Carling is currently accepting new patients and offers natural health care services and whole food nutritional supplements in her Coeur d'Alene clinic. Visit Dr. Carling's website at www.vitalhealthandfitness.com to learn more about Dr. Carling, view a list of upcoming health classes and read other informative articles. Dr. Carling can be reached at 208-765-1994 and would be happy to answer any questions regarding this topic.