Low Carb Action Network Wants To Change Federal Diet Advice?

Photo: Twitter

Lobbyists in Washington D.C. are a dime a dozen.  Showing up at all relevant meetings with fact sheets and speaking within strict (Robert's Rules of Order) time limits.  Corporations have optimized their lobbyists to deploy at a moment's notice and be very useful when needed.  The news highlighted one group whose aim is to influence Federal Diet Advice.  Since we are heading into a new year -- which typically involves some type of diet into next year's regimen, I thought that 'low carb' efforts would be a topic worthy of highlighting.


According to recent reporting in Politico Agriculture, a small group of doctors is trying to influence regulations on a federal level:

LOW-CARB ADVOCATES LAUNCH NEW BID TO SWAY FEDERAL DIET ADVICE: The Low-Carb Action Network — launched on Wednesday by a small group of doctors, researchers and consumers who encourage Americans to cut back on bread, pasta and other carbohydrates — is aiming to influence federal nutrition advice being updated in 2020. The group said scientific research shows the diet can help prevent diseases, particularly Type 2 diabetes, and should be included in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

The network does not receive funding from industry and plans to set up a donation page on its website to raise money, a spokesperson said. It is “rapidly recruiting from the low-carb diet influencers and the thousands of people with success stories.”

USDA and HHS update the guidelines every five years based on a scientific report from an independent 20-member advisory committee, which shapes federal nutrition programs like school meals. The committee last year signaled it would review low-carb (and high-fat) diets, a move welcomed by a disparate group of nutrition experts, Atkins and keto followers, and the livestock sector.

Evaluating the science: The research on low-carb diets that the advisory committee includes in its review is a top concern among the leaders of the Low-Carb Action Network. Diets limiting carbs to 25 percent of calories each day have shown the most promise for weight loss and helping to reverse and prevent diseases, said Charles Cavo, chief medical officer at Pounds Transformation, which focuses on personalized nutrition, and a network member.

A USDA spokesperson said the advisory committee plans to “cast a wide net.” The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine establishes nutrient recommendations, and for carbohydrates set an acceptable range of between 45 to 65 percent of daily calories. The advisory committee plans to “systematically review science on dietary patterns” that fall outside of those ranges, the spokesperson said.

What the skeptics say: Some nutrition experts warn that the research on low-carb diets is new and the long-term health impacts are unclear. The American Diabetes Association earlier this year published a “consensus report” stating that low- and very-low carb diets have been shown to reduce the need for diabetes medication.

Regardless of how the information is included in the 'new dietary guidelines' (if at all), each of us should be aware of the potential impact for food in the nation this might have.  Maybe some, maybe none.  Awareness is key.  Diet advice is very controversial.



Especially, since each of us has unique physiology and genetic code.  One diet might work well with one person while the same diet does not work for me.  Why?  Science and medicine still need to further study this phenomenon.  Generalities do exist.  Although, even then, each of us should be concerned with what works for us rather than what works for others.



Heading into the New Year, be cognizant of the above efforts to influence diets on an individual and national basis.  Have a great weekend.