Wondering whether the latest diet or supplement is good for your health? An online dietitian says check the company's credentials and do your own research.
Registered Dietitian Joanne Larsen's Top Ten Tips to Stop Nutrition Quackery Web site says consumers shouldn't be afraid to ask for credentials when contacting a person or company offering advice.
Check to see if the source is a Registered Dietitian (RD), who must pass a national registration test and continuously meet education levels to remain practicing, Larsen says. And find out if they meet your state's licensing requirements.
Watch out for diets and supplements relying heavily on testimonials, and be sure to find out what research on the products exists. Every diet or supplement has a good side and bad side. If you are given information with no information about the negative effects, it's up to you to find out the risks, Larsen says.
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