Another example of scientific bias

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/n...ory_16228.html

Hmmm, the researchers put subjects on a low cal (680-800 cal/day),
low carb (30g/day), found that, "Mean daily blood glucose levels fell
from 162 to 100 mg/dL within three days of beginning the diet, and all
but one teen managed to discontinue all antidiabetic therapy", and
concluded,
"the very-low-calorie diet has the potential to improve diabetes
control over the short term and perhaps empower diabetic individuals
over the long term."
Uh, you think that just maybe tit was the fact that the diet was
low-carb
that made the difference?

The artivle repeatedly states the low carb-high proteein composition.
I thik you are being a bit of a defensive reader.

"A high-protein, low-carb, very-low-calorie diet is effective"
"evaluated the ability of a ketogenic, very-low-calorie diet"

Only the last line, doesn't mention the ketogenic properties of the
diet. It is another plus for Atkins-style dieting.

(Tony Lew) wrote:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/n...ory_16228.html

Hmmm, the researchers put subjects on a low cal (680-800 cal/day),
low carb (30g/day), found that, "Mean daily blood glucose levels fell
from 162 to 100 mg/dL within three days of beginning the diet, and all
but one teen managed to discontinue all antidiabetic therapy", and
concluded,
"the very-low-calorie diet has the potential to improve diabetes
control over the short term and perhaps empower diabetic individuals
over the long term."
Uh, you think that just maybe tit was the fact that the diet was
low-carb
that made the difference?

DiGiTAL_ViNYL (no email)
350/326/200
Atkins since 1/12/2004

I think the OP has a very valid point. Not only is it referred to as
low calorie in the summary, but also that is the banner headline in
the Reuter article. Why? Because news organizations frequently go
for the short summary sound bites. Anyone publishing research results
should be aware of this and careful to use the correct summary.

On Sun, 29 Feb 2004 01:49:54 GMT, DigitalVinyl wrote:

The artivle repeatedly states the low carb-high proteein composition.
I thik you are being a bit of a defensive reader.

"A high-protein, low-carb, very-low-calorie diet is effective"
"evaluated the ability of a ketogenic, very-low-calorie diet"

Only the last line, doesn't mention the ketogenic properties of the
diet. It is another plus for Atkins-style dieting.



Yeah, but the last line's the conclusion. It's the thing that gets sent
out by news organizations.


--
Bob M in CT remove 'x.' to reply

(Chet Hayes) wrote:

I think the OP has a very valid point. Not only is it referred to as
low calorie in the summary, but also that is the banner headline in
the Reuter article. Why? Because news organizations frequently go
for the short summary sound bites.


Anyone publishing research results
should be aware of this and careful to use the correct summary.

I agree. Eggheads often don't speak to mere mortals and they assume
everyone understands the importantance and distinction of obscure
terms such as "ketogenic". Also the summary is a phrase so the quote
may have cut the begining of the line...

"THE KETOGNIEC NATURE OF the very-low-calorie diet has the potential
to improve diabetes control over the short term and perhaps empower
diabetic individuals over the long term."

could easily be edited by the news agency to

"the very-low-calorie diet has the potential to improve diabetes
control over the short term and perhaps empower diabetic individuals
over the long term."


DiGiTAL_ViNYL (no email)
350/326/200
Atkins since 1/12/2004