ENAFS Connection Newsletter

LINKING RESEARCH AND EDUCATION FOR FLORIDA'S ELDERS
 

This project is possible thanks to funding by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs in partnership with state, county, and local agencies

Nutrition in the News . . .

Is it "News" or Misinformation?

During the past decade, advances in the science of nutrition have been the subject of intense media focus. Unfortunately, it's not always clear to consumers how to distinguish nutrition facts, which have been validated using scientific methodology, from the abundance of misinformation, fraud, and quackery currently available in the news. Nutrition/health fraud is a multibillion dollar industry in the U.S. Health professionals can help consumers recognize the difference between valid nutrition/health information and fraud. This ENAFS Connection newsletter is dedicated to helping you recognize sources of nutrition/health fraud and assist Florida's elders in avoiding victimization.

 Definitions

• Food Faddism: A practice based on an exaggerated belief in the health benefits of certain foods.
• Quackery: "The profitable promotion of special foods, products, processes, or appliances with false or misleading health or theraputic claims" (U.S. Surgeon General's Report on Nutrition and Health, 1988).
• Fraud: May be faddism and/or quackery; it is always deliberate and done for monetary gain.

Potential Sources of Misinformation

Mass Media

The 1997 Nutrition Trends Survey conducted by The American Dietetic Association found the main sources of nutrition information for consumers to be television and magazines, even though consumers do not consider these to be credible sources. On the other hand, consumers rate doctors and dietitians as credible sources, but do not seek nutrition information from them.

Internet

A recent survey reported that approximately 29% of Americans have turned to the Internet for health information. This number is growing fast as Americans become Internet users. One need only access a few health sites to become aware of the mass of nutrition/health misinformation on the Internet.

Testimonials by Persons in Positions of Power

Sports figures, movie stars, and other celebrities often promote questionable products and treatments. Their impact can be far reaching and potentially harmful to elders when their recommendations are based on faddism or quackery.

Cultural and Religious Influences

Throughout history, cultures have attributed health-promoting powers to certain foods. Elders may firmly believe in the positive effects of these foods or products. Nutrition educators need to be aware of these practices and review the scientific data that support or refute their viability. Although some practices may be unsupported by scientific research, they should be respected as long as they are not harmful or a significant economic burden.

Combating Misinformation among Elders

Clearly, nutrition educators have a responsibility to explore carefully the reliability of nutrition information they disseminate so that we do not contribute to the problem. In addition, we can teach consumers to recognize reliable information and distinguish it from misinformation. The "10 Red Flags of Junk Science" developed by the Food and Nutrition Science Alliance can be helpful in teaching consumers what to look for as they read nutrition/health "news" from various sources.

Dietary Supplements and Elders

The use of micronutrient, non-prescription supplements by elders varies among studies from 30% to 72%. While it's easy for consumers to find and buy supplements, it may be harder for them to find out the facts about them.

Practitioners who work with elders, like dietitians, physicians, or Extension educators, can fill this need if they stay well-informed about the latest research on the health benefits, and potential harm, of the many supplements on the market.

The following resources will provide you with reliable information on dietary supplements:

Toll free numbers (Information services in English and Spanish):

• The National Library of Medicine, Consumer Product Safety Line: 1-800-638-2772
• The American Dietetic Association: 1-800-366-1655 or 1-800-877-1600
• American Institute for Cancer Research: 1-800-843-8114

Books

• Foster, Steven and Tyler, V. eds. Tyler's Honest Herbal. 4^th ed. NY: Haworth Herbal Press, Inc., 1999.
• The Physicians Desk Reference of Herbal Medicine. Medical Economics Co., 1998.

Pamphlet

• Supplements. (FDA)99-2323. To order single copies (FREE), write to FDA, HFE-88, Rockville, MD 20857. To order 2-5 copies, write to FDA, HFI-40, at the same address, or fax your order to 301-443-9057.

Internet

• The American Dietetic Association: http://www.eatright.org
• The Food and Drug Administration: http://www.foodsafety.gov/
• Assessing the quality of health information on the Internet is being presented at the ENAFS nutrition training workshops. Please join us!

Nutrition Supplement Labels - How They Have Changed

Since March 23, 1999, consumers began seeing more complete information on nutrition supplement labels. The new label includes:

• Statement identifying the contents.
  
• Quantity of specific nutrients in vitamin and mineral products.
  
• List of all dietary ingredients, including botanicals and amino acids.
  
• Information on nutrients present in significant levels and the percent Daily Value when a reference has been established for that nutrient.
  
• Herbal products identified by the common name listed in the Herbs of Commerce.
  
• The part of the plant used in herbal products.
  

Web Sites - Check It Out!

• National Food Safety Database - http://www.foodsafety.org/
• FDA, Food Safety Month - http://www.foodsafety.gov/~fsg/september.html
• The Herb Research Foundation - http://www.herbs.org/
• NIH, Office of Dietary Supplements - http://odp.od.nih.gov/ods/databases/ibids.html
• FDA, Active Aging: A Lifetime of Good Health - http://www.fda.gov/oc/olderpersons/

Attention Members of ADA's Gerontological Nutritionists (GN) DPG:

The Nutritionists in Florida Aging Programs (NFAP) Network is a dynamic group dedicated to improving services to Florida's elders. If you did not attend our preconference workshop at the Florida Dietetic Association annual meeting, you missed an exciting presentation by Dr. Gema G. Hernandez, Secretary of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs. We invite you to join the NFAP Network as we collaborate to improve the nutritional status and health of Florida's elders.

For more information, call or e-mail Ann Chickowski at (954) 731-8770 ext. 109, Ann954@bmow.com.

Fast Facts

• In the U.S., health fraud is estimated to be a multibillion dollar public healrh problem.
• Harris and Associates studied the use of questionable health products and found that nutrition products were by far the most commonly misused (ADA, 1999).
• There are no federal regulations at this time that establish criteria for purity and manufacturing procedures of dietary supplements.

The International Year of Older Persons (IYOP)

The foundations for a healthy and fulfilling old age are laid very early in life both through our own decisions and behavior and through wise social policy and supporting structures. Unprecedented growth in aged populations worldwide, along with increasing urbanization and other challenges, led the United Nations General Assembly to declare 1999, The International Year of Older Persons (IYOP).

The IYOP focus is on physical and economic health of older persons, life-long individual development, multi-generational relationships, and relationships between aging and the development of society. The United Nations has in the past focused on special groups or specific concerns, but with the theme for the IYOP the focus encompasses more than older persons. It provides a valuable opportunity for individuals to realize that aging permeates everyone's life regardless of where we are in the life cycle, whether it be through the older people we know or through our own aging process. The Administration on Aging, International Aging web page, contains information on conferences, publications/fact sheets, suggestions for activities, and more at:

http://www.unac.org/iyop/

As we reach a new century and millennium, our vision of older persons should also change to meet the needs and expectations of a changing population.

Raw Sprouts Pose Food Safety Risk

On July 9, 1999, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a consumer advisory regarding the consumption of raw sprouts. This latest health advisory is an update of one previously issued on August 31, 1998. It is based on information from clover and alfalfa sprouts-associated Salmonellosis outbreaks that occurred between January and May, 1999. The outbreaks have included persons of both genders and in all age categories. Persons who want to reduce their risk of food borne illness from alfalfa, clover, or radish sprouts are advised not to eat them raw.

FDA indicated that children, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems are at high risk of developing serious illness due to food borne disease, and that they should not eat raw sprouts. Elders are at high risk for severe food borne illnesses for several reasons. First, as people age, their protective immunity decreases, leaving them more susceptible to illnesses caused by pathogenic organisms. Also, after approximately age 65, the stomach produces less acid which reduces a natural barrier against food borne pathogens. In addition, many medications that elders take (e.g., antacids and diuretics) and treatments they may receive (e.g., chemotherapy) can compromise their ability to resist food borne infections. All of these factors make elders more susceptible to serious illness caused by food borne pathogens.

The two organisms in raw sprouts that can cause illness are Salmonella and E. coli-0157. Infections with these two organisms are generally self-limiting among healthy adults, causing diarrhea, nausea, abdominal cramping, and fever for several days. However, the organisms can cause complications and even death in elders and others at high risk. E. coli-0157 can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome, resulting in kidney failure, and Salmonella infections can cause excessive vomiting and diarrhea leading to dehydration. Either of these conditions can result in severe disability and even death.

FDA advises all consumers to:

• Cook sprouts.
• Request that sandwiches and salads purchased at restaurants and delicatessens be prepared without raw sprouts.
• Avoid growing sprouts in the home since they also present a risk if eaten raw.

Source: Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Consumers advised of risks associated with raw sprouts. Press release, July 9, 1999.

http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/hhssprts.html

September is National Food Safety Education Month.

The USDA , FDA, and Restaurant & Food Service Industries provide planning guides and posters  for nutrition educators in English, Spanish, and Chinese at the following web site:

http://www.nraef.org/nfsem/default.asp

  

Originally Published: 9/1999