Astroturfing and the food industry

Crisseyda

So I saw this TEDTalk recently about astroturfing. It appears many companies engage in this technique online and especially in social media. I'm certian MFP is not immune. I've definitely heard of it in regards to the Coca Cola Company discretely funding "obesity research." (I'm sure many of us can guess what Coca Cola funded obesity research tells us is the answer to weight loss).

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-bYAQ-ZZtEU&feature=youtu.be

My question to you all is: what other examples of astroturfing are you aware of or have you heard of in regards to the food industry?

GaleHawkins

Thanks. I will share it with a guy wanting me to start statins

Crisseyda

Of course! Here's a good article I found about the Coca Cola situation.

https://nonprofitquarterly.org/2015/12/03/anti-obesity-astroturfing-fails-coca-cola-and-junk-food-philanthropy/

Coca cola must love the CICO mantra. The underlying assumption is that all food can make you *equally* fat if you eat too much of it, so it's your own fault you're fat! Just eat less!

Crisseyda

@GaleHawkins

When it comes to statins, you want to look at the number needed to treat in order to see a benefit and compare that to the number who will experience harm. It's a not a pretty picture.

http://www.thennt.com/nnt/statins-for-heart-disease-prevention-without-prior-heart-disease/

Even Cochrane Collaboration review is against statins for primary prevention. They are grossly over prescribed. It's a travesty, imo.

KarlynKeto

Oh where to begin

Speaking Coca Cola - fake research lab
http://arstechnica.com/science/2015/11/chief-coca-cola-scientist-leaves-amid-criticism-over-obesity-research/

Speaking of fraud and conflict of interest
http://www.vox.com/2016/3/3/11148422/food-science-nutrition-research-bias-conflict-interest?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter

KarlynKeto

GaleHawkins wrote: »

Thanks. I will share it with a guy wanting me to start statins

Watch this video before taking statins (he is also pro LCHF)

David Diamond- Demonization and Deception in Cholesterol Research

http://youtu.be/yX1vBA9bLNk

Crisseyda

@KarlynKeto Great video! I loved his explanations of relative risk reduction.

I totally agree with platelet aggregation as the real risk factor, which is linked to smoking, stress, metabolic syndrome, and elevated blood sugar, as he mentions, because all of these are drivers of inflammation. This is another reason heart attacks are linked to gingivitis--it all points back to inflammation!
The theory is that the cholesterol becomes sticky and adheres to the endothelial lining of the arteries in the body's attempt to heal damage due to inflammation. However, I do think he left out another major driving cause of inflammation in the American diet: processed oils high in trans fats and excess omega 6.

GaleHawkins

Thanks guys. Both videos are awesome and shareable.

Dragonwolf

Corn Refiners Association and LCHF vs cane sugar -- http://abcnews.go.com/Business/video/ad-supports-high-fructose-corn-syrup-15971055

...twice -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQ-ByUx552s

Kellogg's and fiber....uh...its entire history (seriously, just look up Dr. J. H. Kellogg)

Pharma companies funding physician education programs in colleges.

Crisseyda

Dragonwolf wrote: »

Corn Refiners Association and LCHF vs cane sugar -- http://abcnews.go.com/Business/video/ad-supports-high-fructose-corn-syrup-15971055

...twice -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQ-ByUx552s

Kellogg's and fiber....uh...its entire history (seriously, just look up Dr. J. H. Kellogg)

Pharma companies funding physician education programs in colleges.

@Dragonwolf
Oh yeah! I remember that commercial. I know you meant HFCS. It was sooo funny to me. Yes, sugar and HFCS are just about the same--equally bad! But looking at Dr. Lustig's research on fructose, I do believe carbs that break down into glucose are friendlier to long term health than those high in fructose (like HFCS and table sugar). It's funny how not all calories are equal, not all carbs are equal, not all fats are equal, and even not all proteins are equal... it all points back to food from nature as superior.

Dragonwolf

lol, I didn't even realize I did that!