Nutritional Quackery

Recently there a was blog post circulating that included a list of commercial protein supplements to avoid (see attached photo), on that list was EAS Myoplex. Now I believe EAS products to be some of the best nutritional supplements on the planet, and I felt this particular blog deserved at the very least a rebuttal from someone well versed on the product line. I emailed Dr. Keith Wheeler, Global Director of Performance Nutrition Research, Development and Scientific Affairs with Abbott Nutrition and asked if he could briefly comment. Here is a summary of what he had to say.

This extreme type of nutrition quackery is very difficult to respond to because people like this are typically “self” proclaimed nutrition experts. This person in the link you sent is obviously not trained in nutrition, and clearly is not a nutrition expert, but a politician (and apparently a good one with the following she has). While some of her information is really just an opinion, most of it is incorrect and used as a scare tactic, that most politicians use to bring people to see and approve of their personal radical point of view. The “heavy metals” article and perspective is totally wrong, and actually the Myoplex tested complied with the maximum standard established for foods. Of course this person would not know this because she does not understand either the test being run, or the interpretation of the USP standard. Her comments on whey isolate as a bad source of protein, is just absurd and the comments on antibiotics proves she has not a clue of the food supply or processing requirements or standards. The GMO issue itself is highly polarizing, but she presents her view as scientific fact, when in actuality, it is just her opinion.

I am not sure what else I can say except that this motivates me to create an article for the EAS Academy site entitled Nutrition Cultism: Facts and Fiction (based on the 1980s book written by Victor Herbert)! This new article would give 16 tips on how to spot food quacks and nutritional frauds on the internet and around the world. Like days gone by, the modern food quack is a super salesperson. These frauds play on the fears of the public, and they cater to the hopes of those trying to improve their lives. Seldom do the victims of such fraud realize how often or how skillfully they are being cheated and lied to. Most people think this quackery is easy to spot, but it isn’t! The modern quack wears a cloak of science. They speak in scientific terms. They write with scientific references. They are introduced on the talk show as experts “ahead of their time”. The very word “quack” may allow the reader to think of an old, broken down person selling snake oil from the back of a covered wagon! Well, maybe snake oil isn’t the issue of the today, but GMOs, heavy metals, lies about organic foods, whey isolate, processed foods, gluten, artificial sweeteners and other items that will shorten our lives and bring humanity as we know it to an end…are the issues of today. Sincerity is a very important asset in the “quacks” approach to education. Many examples exist within the attached website, that clearly show just how sincere this quack really is! Our responsibility, your responsibility, is to expose these frauds for what they really are….a thief who takes advantage of human weaknesses!