Nutrition and Hysteria

There has been some good coverage recently about issues and controversies surrounding health and nutrition. The BBC broadcasted The Truth about Food, exploding some received wisdoms as myths, while supporting others. This is a complex area, and every nugget of information has to be tested.

For instance received wisdoms about drinking 2 litres of water a day, and now coming under attack, as is the whole notion of detox diets.

Some media stars are even under personal attack. Ben Goldacre, whose work I admire, turned up on The Panel, to bash the Gillian McKeith school of thought about nutrition. Ben rightly pointed out the strong role of social factors (income, status, exclusion) in health. McKeith's qualifications also came under deserved scrutiny.

Goldacre has a more formidable opponent in Patrick Holford. Holford impressed on recent appearances promoting his book Food is the Best Medicine. The Holford and Goldacre spat makes for interesting reading:

Goldacres initial article on Holford on Jan 6th in the Guardian

Holfords Reply on the Guardian's letter page (Feb 16th)

Goldacre has another go (Feb 17th)

Goldacre and Holford have also taken the argument to the British Medical Journal.

Goldacre's BMJ article published on his own Bad science website

Holford's response to Goldacre's BMJ Article in context on the BMJ Letter's page

Make your own mind up who is most convincing!