5/2/25: Do You Still Trust Government Websites?; Spotting Bad Science; Resources from the Oley Foundation; Dietitians of the Future?
Nutrition News You Can Use
🔍Substack: Keys to Spotting Bad Science
Michael Richman, MD, MMS, FACS
The Keys to Spotting Bad Science: The Intentional Use of Deception in Medical Discourse
“…while the landscape of science is riddled with nuances, recognizing the keys to spotting bad science is an essential skill in the modern age. From scrutinizing reproducibility to remaining aware of ideological biases, the call for vigilance cannot be understated. The persistence of individuals posing as credible scientists, manipulating data to reinforce failed hypotheses, underscores a grave threat not just to scientific integrity but to society’s collective well-being. Therefore, we must all advocate for transparency and ethical practices in science and remain unwavering in our commitment to truth amid an ocean of misinformation. In doing so, we safeguard the essence of scientific inquiry, ensuring it remains a vital tool for understanding the world around us.”
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🎙️Podcast and Post by Monica Reinagel
🤔❓Can we still trust government websites for health and nutrition info?
“…In the past, I have relied on and referred people to resources provided by the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, the United States Department of Agriculture, the Centers for Disease Control, all of whom maintained large databases of useful and up-to-date information on things like nutritional supplements, alternative and complementary therapies, health and nutrition research, food safety, dietary guidelines.
Of course, no agency or individual gets everything right, and I often supplemented these with other sources of information. But I took for granted the existence–and reliability–of well-funded government agencies staffed by serious scientists and competent administrators and largely protected from political winds and whims. Priorities and points of view might shift or evolve, but the basic mandate and function of these institutions were basically stable and solid.
Regardless of your political views, I think we can all agree that many things about our government and its functions that we have taken for granted for generations are no longer assured. Funding and staffing are being decimated; important resources and information are being removed from public websites. And so, this question is an important one….”
🎧Nutrition Diva, Monica Reinagel addresses this in her podcast HERE
🎙️Podcast Pick: Dietitians for Nutrition Support (DNS)
interview by Christina Rollins, MBA, MS, RDN, FAND, CNSC
Chris Taylor, PhD, MS, RD Professor and Director of Medical Dietetics at The Ohio State University School of Health and Rehabilitation discusses the future for dietitians in clinical practice. The importance of research and outcome data and his work with the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee.
💡Spotlight: Oley Foundation - Andrea Taylor, RD, CNSC
Manager of National Advocacy - Connect with Andrea on LinkedIn HERE
Q1: When did you start working for the Oley Foundation, and what do you do with/for them?
“I joined Oley in November 2022 as the Manager of Clinical and Corporate Engagement—essentially the point person for our industry partners and clinician members…Since then, I’ve transitioned into my current role as Manager of National Advocacy. It’s not a position I expected as a dietitian, but I absolutely love it. I’ve had the chance to speak at an FDA Listening Session on compounding, work with cross-organizational task forces, and help raise awareness about access issues that impact our community. These days, I spend a lot of time connecting with other nonprofits, presenting to clinicians, and spreading the word about Oley.”
Q2: What's something you wish more dietitians knew/understood about Oley Foundation?
“That community makes a huge difference for nutrition support patients. Managing life on tube feeds or TPN is way harder than most people realize, especially when it’s on top of everything else their underlying condition throws at them…. Clinicians do an amazing job managing the medical side—labs, weight trends, fluid balance…But Oley fills in the human side. We help patients find hope, confidence, and connection so they can live their lives—date, travel, raise families—not just survive.”
Q3: What Oley Foundation resource for RDs or patients are you most excited about.
“…For patients, the sense of community we help build is truly invaluable. Whether it’s through Kidz Klub, Community Connections, regional events, or our Oley Ambassadors, we create spaces where people feel seen, supported, and understood—no matter where they are in their nutrition support journey….
For dietitians, I’m especially excited that we now offer free continuing education opportunities—from webinars and virtual workshops to our annual conference—all focused on helping clinicians better support the unique needs of this population….”.
To learn more about Oley Foundation Resources click HERE
Your chance to win a FREE registration (7 CPEUs) to the upcoming Oley Foundation conference. Complete this survey by 5/3 to be entered to win.
☑️click HERE for the short survey.
I have a list of folks, podcasts, websites ( including instagram) I give my students. I told them I’m on Bluesky & I look at the @alt sites. And I always tell them if they find any of these are wrong, they must let me know, or I’m as bad as the snake oil salesmen I want them to avoid.
Simply put: No!