Misinformation or lack of information can lead to many adverse effects in terms of nutritional toxicology in the wellness industry. The internet is now an extremely popular source of information for many people, therefore it is crucial to be an informed consumer. A few ways you can ensure you are an informed consumer are:
- differentiate between reliable and unreliable sources.
- look for credible or academic sources that have been peer reviewed, and shy away from posts from non-credible sources such as blogs or news articles.
- follow the safety protocols and guidelines for safe use of products. For more information, see How do I know if they’re safe?.
Disinformation is a very prevalent concern in the nutritional wellness industry. Disinformation is defined as coordinated or deliberate effort to knowingly circulate misinformation in order to gain money, power, or reputation. Many products offered in the nutritional wellness industry are popular based on disinformation.
Concerns with Internet Self-Diagnoses
Oftentimes, individuals self-diagnose based on online resources and diagnostic tools. The problem with this is that many symptoms that describe certain conditions can be very common amongst numerous other health conditions. In this case, self-diagnosis can be problematic and an individual may begin a supplemental treatment for a condition they do not actually have. The main concern with self-diagnosis is the risk of missing a medical diagnosis that could explain the symptoms. Self-prescription is a huge issue in the nutritional wellness industry and can lead to many Adverse Effects. Self prescription can be damaging in many ways:
- Misdiagnosis: self-diagnosing can lead to misdiagnosis which results in improper treatment.
- Deficiencies: improper treatment resulting from misdiagnosis can lead to unknown deficiencies remaining undiscovered and untreated.
- Toxicities: improper treatment resulting from misdiagnosis can lead to overconsumption of certain substances causing toxicity.
- Unnecessary Expenses: many wellness products are very costly – self diagnosis may result in the purchase of may expensive treatments that will have no effects on improving overall health and wellness.
Minimizing the Risks of Internet Self-Diagnosis
- Mitigating the risks: If you are looking online for information, it is important to look at the many credible resources available. Additionally, it is recommended that information should be collected only for treatments of a pre-existing diagnosis. If you have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), researching the FODMAP diet your doctor recommended is an example of a responsible way to use the internet to improve your health.
- If you believe you have a certain condition based on the information you have reviewed, express these concerns with a healthcare provider so they can run the necessary tests and suggest proper treatment following a diagnosis.
- Always speak to your doctor before taking a certain supplement/substance. Contact your doctor to ask the following questions:
- What are its potential benefits for me?
- Does it have any safety risks?
- What is the proper dose to take?
- How, when, and for how long should I take it?
Types of Nutritional Misinformation
- Food fads and fad diets: these involve diets or trends that promote short term weight loss, but are not backed by any scientific findings. An example of this would be the grapefruit diet.
- Health fraud: deliberate disinformation pertaining to certain diets/products, in which the goal is to gain profits. These diets/products are not backed by science, however, they are marketed to benefit overall health and well-being. An example would be any product that claims to be a miracle pill or work instantly.
- Misdirected health claims: Involve claims from a producer/manufacturer to a consumer that a product has more health benefits or works better than it actually does. An example of this would be the promotion of a zero sugar food that is very high in calories.
Consumers should be aware of these top ten red flags for misleading claims:
- Recommendations that promise a quick fix.
- Dire warnings of danger from a single product or regimen.
- Claims that sound too good to be true.
- Simplistic conclusions drawn from a complex study.
- Recommendations based on a single study.
- Dramatic statements that are refuted by reputable scientific organizations.
- Lists of “good” and “bad” foods.
- “Spinning” information from another product to match the producer’s claims.
- Stating that research is “currently underway,” indicating that there is no current research.
- Non-science based testimonials supporting the product, often from celebrities or highly satisfied customers
Information from:
https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-040119-094127