Canadian study finds bad advice at health fraud stores

[the sensible celiac]

For years in our family we have referred to the stores usually labeled as health food stores instead as health fraud stores. It has been our opinion that the advice given by sales clerks in health fraud stores is generally unreliable and based on the desire to sell products as well as a whole culture of fact free ideas about health that we call woo woo.

Indeed it was my skepticism about health fraud stores that led to the creation of this website years ago, I think it's been over five years now that the site has been online.

Among the bad ideas often given to people with celiac disease by clerks at health fraud stores are such falsehoods as spelt and kamut  are not gluten bearing foods and are safe for people with celiac disease. Of course this is utterly false because spelt and kamut  are ancient forms of wheat and they absolutely positively always contain gluten.

Then there are the health fraud products that are sold with specific claims about benefits for people with celiac disease. It is a scientific fact that at the present time the only valid treatment for celiac disease is a gluten-free diet. While there are some drugs under testing none have been released, from what I know a few have been producing disappointing results in testing. But as far as what's available on the market today, there is nothing at all that will treat celiac disease except a gluten-free diet. End of story.

So whenever I go into a health fraud store to buy gluten-free waffles, gluten-free soy sauce, or other gluten-free foods I go about my business as quickly as possible because I had the sense I am in enemy territory. I believe in science. I'm keenly aware that without science this website, for example, would not exist.

Today I saw an article about a study conducted by a Canadian university. Their goal was to test the scientific accuracy of advice given in health fraud stores. They found that 88% of the time the advice given was “either unscientific or poorly supported by science”. In other words, wrong. I must say that I felt vindicated by this study and if you're of the opinion that the advice given in health fraud stores is generally reliable I'd like to suggest you follow this link and get another opinion.

And also please remember rule number one: always read the ingredients.

[chrizsmith]

For years in our family we have referred to the stores usually labeled as health food stores instead as health fraud stores. It has been our opinion that the advice given by sales clerks in health fraud stores is generally unreliable and based on the desire to sell products as well as a whole culture of fact free ideas about health that we call woo woo.

Indeed it was my skepticism about health fraud stores that led to the creation of this website years ago, I think it's been over five years now that the site has been online.

Among the bad ideas often given to people with celiac disease by clerks at health fraud stores are such falsehoods as spelt and kamut  are not gluten bearing foods and are safe for people with celiac disease. Of course this is utterly false because spelt and kamut  are ancient forms of wheat and they absolutely positively always contain gluten.

Then there are the health fraud products that are sold with specific claims about benefits for people with celiac disease. It is a scientific fact that at the present time the only valid treatment for celiac disease is a gluten-free diet. While there are some drugs under testing none have been released, from what I know a few have been producing disappointing results in testing. But as far as what's available on the market today, there is nothing at all that will treat celiac disease except a gluten-free diet. End of story.

So whenever I go into a health fraud store to buy gluten-free waffles, gluten-free soy sauce, or other gluten-free foods I go about my business as quickly as possible because I had the sense I am in enemy territory. I believe in science. I'm keenly aware that without science this website, for example, would not exist.

Today I saw an article about a study conducted by a Canadian university. Their goal was to test the scientific accuracy of advice given in health fraud stores. They found that 88% of the time the advice given was “either unscientific or poorly supported by science”. In other words, wrong. I must say that I felt vindicated by this study and if you're of the opinion that the advice given in health fraud stores is generally reliable I'd like to suggest you follow this link and get another opinion.

And also please remember rule number one: always read the ingredients.

I have read your post and I must, you really hit the target.. most people don't understand our situation.. I guess it is really hard for those who lacks knowledge with it.. and I guessed all they are after is to sell and gain money and to care to others..