Agree: no one will seriously perceive the book on neurosurgery or nuclear physics, written by some celebrity that does not have the relevant professional qualifications. However, pop stars, self-proclaimed experts in alternative methods of treatment and journalists are considered quite knowledgeable in order to distribute advice on diet and health in the media and books.
For example, it is not necessary to go far: advertising new products - green coffee - promises weight loss to 25 kg per month! The famous media personals are involved in this advertisement. Interestingly, they themselves at least held this product in their hands? By the way, the peak of green coffee advertising in the USA and the UK passed five years ago, and now there was already forgotten about him, making sure that it was another scam. This story is a reason to think: is it too free to "instructions" on changing nutrition and lifestyle?
Medicines or nutritional supplements intended for mass use must be subject to a thorough assessment procedure as their effectiveness and security. No drug will receive a license as long as the Ministry of Health of Russia is not convinced of this. However, mistakes still happen, and drugs and additives have to be called from the market, sometimes after many years of use: even even qualified expert commissions can make premature conclusions based on incomplete or incorrect data.
In comparison with the strict procedure for approving drugs, some "guides" concerning nutrition and lifestyle (including tips on the use of a number of food additives) are sometimes given on the basis of incomplete assessments of both safety and efficiency - almost thoughtlessly. Not only: many advice comes from people whose activities are due to untenable theories or myths, political or ethical prejudices, and most often - simply commercial or other selfish interests.
There are clear legal frameworks that determine the licensing of drugs and food additives, but there are no restrictions on the recommendations regarding nutrition and lifestyle. All that government and professional organizations can do is try to create a registration system or accreditation that everyone wants to receive or received the Council can somehow check the qualifications of the "adviser". It is only possible to hope that the media will be legitimating in the materials for their publications and will be chosen by the authors of the articles on nutrition and health on the basis of their knowledge, and not just star status or media attractiveness. Yes, and supervisory authorities could be more active in relation to the control of advertising "Food additives".
The tendency to encourage interventions into nutritional issues and lifestyle before the strict assessment of the measures proposed (sometimes even before it was started) is quite dangerous. Just: if the supplier thoroughly formulates its promotional offers, then nutritional supplements, including plant extracts and preparations that are far from harmless, can be freely sold under the condition that they do not lead to instant poisoning!
Perhaps such a connivance occurs due to a common opinion that simple changes in the diet and lifestyle, as well as "natural additives", harmless, and even if they do not bring benefits, they will not harm. Therefore, the nutrition is automatically seen as the most secure option to promote goods on the market. But before stretching the hand for the next "panacea from the star," it is worth remembering: when tips on changing the diet and lifestyle are given by people who do not have the relevant knowledge, it means that you acquire harmless nonsense - and this is at best!
The answer to the question: why dubious "health recipes" from media personalities are so popular, simple - if ineffective changes are made easier than effective, they thus prevent the implementation of effective changes. Simply put:
● Take beta-carotene to reduce harm from smoking easier than quit smoking;
● Drink green coffee is easier than rationally eat and lose weight on a low-calorie diet;
● Take additives with antioxidants easier than to use fruits and vegetables five times a day;
● Take additives from distillation to protect the liver easier than to reduce alcohol intake.