Media On Diet

Information about dietary supplements can also be found in books, magazines, newspapers, television shows, radio programs, and web sites, and these sources contain a range of reliable and unreliable information. Identifying accurate information should begin by determining the original source. If dietary supplement information does not come directly from an expert, it is important to establish whether an expert was consulted. Whether dietary supplement information is balanced, objective, and free of commercial influence can help determine if its motive is educational or promotional. Magazines and newspapers often contain full-page articles that seem to come from medical or scientific establishments; upon closer examination, however, the word “advertisement” can often be found in small print at the top of the page, indicating that the information is indeed intended to sell something. Information contained in obvious advertisements can be misleading. Television commercials and lengthier infomercials are crafted so they appear to be backed by medical organizations. While these advertisements have the look and feel of a medical establishment, they are misleading and designed to sell a product to a vulnerable population.