"Experts" on The Take

Honestly!  Who do you believe anymore?  Not Ronald Kleinman - oh excuse me, DOCTOR Ronald Kleinman.  This guy, this doctor, tells dietitians that the ingredients in coke (Coke!) - fluoride, sugar, artificial colors, nonnutritive sweeteners have been "carefully examined for their effects on children's health, growth, and development.  He tells this to the American Dietetic Association  in a presentation that and goes on to explore "the prevalent misconceptions about these food ingredients" and suggests ways that the dietitians can help quell unnecessary "concern among parents about their children's health."

One would think that he is knows his stuff.  He is physician-in-chief at Mass. General Hospital for Children, and Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School.  Oh how influential he is, eh?  This is another case of somebody who is receiving "funding" from industry sources.

♦ Dr. Ronald Kleinman is Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School who has received money from industry sources (like artificial infant formula manufacturers Mead Johnson and Nestle Ltd). His study on optimal duration of breastfeeding was funded by Gerber Products. He also served as a paid expert witness for Gerber when they were sued for deceptive advertising. And he contributed to a brochure intended for children entitled “Variety’s Mountain” produced by the Sugar Association.


The source of this precious information - and more on others - can be found at the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI of which I've been a member for years) and their "Conflict-of-Interest Project" where they expose the financial ties to chemical,  and Big Pharma companies of those who are using their prestigious backgrounds to influence others.

Who do you trust anymore?  Every "expert" with Harvard-ess credentials has to be scrutinized these days.  I am just glad CSPI does what it does - they are truly on OUR side.  So is the Environmental Working Group (EWG) which you actually hear about on the news from time to time trying so hard to tell the truth.  Both of these organizations, btw, are run strictly on donations and I whole heartily encourage people to go check them out, get their newsletters, and contribute.  These organizations are working for the people, you, me and the people - not for profit.  I would rather contribute (and I DO) to them than the myriad of cancer groups looking for funding for fifty years with no "cures" yet!!

Bottom line here - Dietitians are being told Coke is a GOOD thing.  This is utter insanity.  The American Dietetic Assn.  with all its "Registered" dietitians work for hospitals, and schools - schools where people like Jamie Oliver is trying to get a decent lunch menu but is always fighting with the school boards dietitians.
And this is why this is so upsetting and bizarre.  Couple that with the fact that the CDC says 1 in 3 US adults will be diabetic by 2050.  But the ADA (supposedly the authority on diabetes) is providing seriously misguided information on how to manage and reverse this disease.  And now they are coke pushers???

 I do not have RD (Registered Dietitian) beside my name.  There are significant philosophical differences between nutritionists and dietitians.  We have two different fields of study and practice.  By accepting only a single credentialing agency (run by dietitians not nutritionists) state boards are establishing a "one-size-fits-all" standard which removes all competition, essentially handing the ADA a government mandated monopoly over nutritional therapy.  Key operative word for me here is government mandated.  I would have to follow their rules, study their USDA approved text books and folks, I looked into this, I really did, but I could not stomach the stupid food pyramid, the tell diabetics to use Splenda, and I do not want to be told lies and what to promote now because some big whig is getting money on the side to spout crap!   Who is the one responsible for the horrid food in hospitals and obviously hasn't a clue about the proper nutrients to heal a body?  You won't, sadly, find a nutritionist anywhere near the hospital  planning meals.  Pity isn't it?

Anyway,  I wonder how this doctor sleeps at night?  Counting money not sheep works for half the world it seems.  Before you accept or believe any "expert", check out CSPI and a few other places that might lead you who is funding this persons "expertise".  Follow the money!  It always about the money and not what is best for your health.