Research – Page 2 – Raw Food Education – The Home of Mastering Raw Food Nutrition and the Science of Raw Food Nutrition

In Defense of Research

Dr. Karin Dina, D.C.September 11, 2013May 23, 2018

I recently read an online article in which the author criticized nutrition-related “science” and “research.” His criticism focused on the notion that research quickly becomes outdated as more current research takes its place, so what is the point in paying attention to it at all? I understand this questioning, but must suggest that the answer is not as simple as the author would imply.

First of all, let’s explore the term “research”. The most common use of this term is to describe use of the scientific method to test a hypothesis in a controlled setting. In more relatable language, research is done to gather evidence that either supports or opposes a point of view, or adds to our knowledge of a subject. Let’s say that a researcher wants to assess the vitamin C content of oranges. In order to do this, the researcher would obtain a sample of oranges and use the appropriate technology to measure the vitamin C content, among other things. The amount of vitamin C found in this particular orange sample is new information, since it was just tested. Does this new information necessarily invalidate previous research done on the vitamin C content of oranges?

In my opinion, no.

I view this new information as additional knowledge to add to our growing understanding of the vitamin C content of oranges. I do not always see older information as being irrelevant, instead I recognize the importance of evaluating evidence on a case-by-case basis. For example, let’s say that a researcher wants to see if there is a change in the vitamin C content in oranges over a 50 year period. In this study, some of the data collected on the vitamin C content of oranges is decades old. Most people might think of this information as being outdated, but in the context of this comparison study, it is entirely relevant.

The bottom line is that we cannot lump all research into one category. In my opinion, if one believes that research is not worthy of consideration because it eventually becomes outdated, they are missing out on lots of great information as it becomes available. There is much that we know and much that we have yet to know. To discount research as incomplete is missing the very point of research, which is to discover new information.

Here is a real world example: should we not utilize the technology of today because it will be outdated tomorrow? Nothing will ever be 100% complete or perfect. If our knowledge on a topic is 80% complete, should we discount that 80% just because we don’t know everything yet? We recently watched the new Star Trek movie in 3D in a nearby theater, and enjoyed it very much – so much that we would like to see it again. Should we not purchase the blu-ray to watch it again at home because we don’t have 3D and our sound system is not as good and screen not as large as we experienced in the movie theater? Should I not use a computer because it will eventually become outdated?

I personally love to watch the evolution of information through all types of research, be it peer-reviewed studies, clinical outcomes, or personal experience. There is always more to explore in the health and nutrition field, and to discount any information is a missed opportunity to learn what may be the key to unlocking one’s health potential. I see research as an adventure of discovery and am happy to have the opportunity to watch the progression of knowledge in this exciting and ever-changing field!

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What I learned about vitamin B12 from the Framingham Offspring Study

Dr. Karin Dina, D.C.July 8, 2013May 23, 2018

I first came across the Framingham Offspring Study several years ago when I was doing some research on the vitamin B12 status of people of various dietary persuasions. I found the results of this study to be fascinating, and apparently I am not the only one who feels this way, given that I have seen this study mentioned in numerous YouTube videos, in various health blogs, and in class by many of my students. Why is this study in particular so popular?

The answer likely involves many reasons. Here a couple of my thoughts:

This study talks about the vitamin B12 status of the study participants. There is little doubt that vitamin B12 is a hot topic in the health community and most people I have spoken with over the years have expressed interest in learning about B12. In fact, it is one of the more popular questions that Rick and I are asked.
The study participants were omnivores. People who eat a plant-based diet or vegan diet are told to be aware of their B12 status, but what about omnivores? Do they need to be aware of this too?

The Framingham Offspring Study (FOS) helps answer this question. The study examined the B12 status of 2,999 omnivores of ages ranging from 26 – 83, along with supplemental and food sources of B12, such as fortified cereal, dairy products, and various types of meat. Here is a brief summary of the data from this study:

39% of study participants were found to have blood levels of vitamin B12 in the “low normal” to deficient range (<258 pmol/L or 350 pg/ml) and the youngest members of the group (26 – 49 years) had similar B12 status to the 65 years and older group.
Study participants who consumed supplements and/or cereal fortified with B12 had the highest blood levels of B12, followed by dairy products, and then meat.
Study participants who got most or all of their B12 from meat sources, had the lowest blood B12 levels.
The researchers commented that vitamin B12 supplements and fortified foods are likely to be more reliable sources of B12 than non-fortified foods, and that the use of supplements in particular was found to be protective against low vitamin B12 levels in this and previous studies.
Because of these outcomes, the researchers suggest that the potential for B12 deficiency in the general adult population be examined.

I was not completely surprised to see that this study calls to question the reliability of meat as an adequate source of B12, as we have consulted with several people in the past few years that have been low in B12 despite eating an omnivorous diet. Hmmm…..

I would encourage you to read this study, and see for yourself what the data indicates. I have provided here a brief summary of what I learned from this study, but the actual full-text article gives much more specific information on the observations of the researchers.

Granted, this is only one study and some case histories, but nonetheless I personally feel that it is important for everyone to consider their B12 status regardless of whether or not they are a vegan, vegetarian, omnivore, etc. As this study indicates, there are many factors to consider in this B12 puzzle. Here is a link to the full text article of the Framingham Offspring Study.

Reference:

Tucker KL, Rich S, Rosenberg I, Jacques P, Dallal G, Wilson PW, Selhub J. Plasma vitamin B-12 concentrations relate to intake source in the Framingham Offspring study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000 Feb;71(2):514-22.

Interested in taking your vitamin B12 and nutrition knowledge to the next level? We cover this topic and so much more in our online Mastering Raw Food Nutrition and Educator Course. For more class details, click here.

The role of critical thinking in making health decisions

Dr. Karin Dina, D.C.June 13, 2013May 23, 2018

TMI, information overload, what on earth do I do with all of these little bits and pieces of health information, these “sound bites”? How do all of these pieces of information fit together into the puzzle of health, and is this information even accurate or relevant? Over the past 23+ years since I entered the health field, these questions have crossed my mind either consciously or unconsciously, and have even been something of a mountain at various times in my life. There is so much information “out there” on health and dietary choices that it can range from dazzling to overwhelming.

Many students I have spoken with over the years have said that one of the most important reasons they have attended the series of classes my husband and I teach is to make sense of all of this health information that they hear. One of the goals we have in teaching our classes is to provide a framework within which students can understand these individual pieces of information and how they fit into the larger picture of health. One of the ways we establish this health framework is though the encouragement of critical thinking.

Before we can proceed, we must consider the question “what is critical thinking?” I have read numerous definitions and points of view on critical thinking, some simple to understand and others more complex. Overall, most of the definitions of critical thinking involve the gathering of as much information as possible, including information in opposition to one’s current point of view, and then making a decision based on this information while still remaining open to possible alternatives, and considering that one has inherent personal biases that can influence the decision made.

In my very young years, I remember learning through memorization of information which I promptly forgot after the test was over, but more importantly, I believed that the information given to me was always accurate. Why wouldn’t it be? Later, I started considering other points of view as having validity and understanding the importance of thinking for myself. At this time, I found it somewhat challenging to make this change, given that I had become so accustomed to just accepting the information handed to me previously. Accepting is easy, thinking requires more effort. After a short period of time, I naturally started thinking for myself and the evaluation of information coming my way became second-nature. I eventually learned that this thought process I had adopted actually had a name: critical thinking.

The reason why I am sharing this story with you is because it is very much related to how some view health information.

To clarify, here is a relevant example:

There are lots of products being sold in the name of health and the people selling those products can be quite convincing. Is all of the information imparted about these products accurate? Or is the person saying whatever is necessary to make a sale?

In my pre critical thinking days, I would have likely accepted this information. Since my introduction to critical thinking, if I am interested in a product, I first gather information on the product, which includes:

Reliable information supporting the popular view of the product
Reliable information supporting the opposite view of the product
Reliable information that supports other views of the product
Reliable information that contradicts any of the points of view noted above.

Bottom line, I gather as much information as possible about the subject in question from multiple points of view, and very importantly I also consider what information is supported by human physiology and biochemistry. As I collect more information and make sense of it in a larger context, the least relevant, least compelling, and least accurate information is naturally supplanted by the most relevant, accurate, and compelling information. In a sense, the most accurate information becomes even more apparent, when compared to that which is less accurate or inaccurate.

It is important to consider that information on how the body works is constantly evolving and is and will always be incomplete, so for this reason and others, I remain open minded to changing my decision in the future, when and if compelling new information becomes available. I know this is a lot to consider, but this critical thinking and decision making process has become second nature to me. I liken this experience to learning how to ride a bicycle. It can be a little challenging at first, but soon becomes easy.

The bottom line here is that critical thinking can be very useful in helping evaluate information that comes one’s way. Many times I have heard students say that they feel that they were convinced to buy a product that they ended up wanting to return. Often times, being aware of ways in which one can evaluate information about such products can help people be more objective about their purchases before they hit the “buy” button. Of course, critical thinking can be useful in evaluating all health information, not just product purchases. I must clarify that Rick and I are not opposed to the use of health products, given that we find many to be useful. Both of us find it very useful to approach our buying choices with critical thinking.

The reason why I mention critical thinking in this article, is that in the coming weeks and months I plan to start talking about various studies and research on health and plant-based diet related topics, and will be considering critical thinking in the evaluation of this information. So this article is, in a sense, laying the groundwork for things to come. After all, a building is only as strong as its foundation, and the same is true for health information.

I know that many of you are familiar with this topic, so if you are, great! For those of you that have not considered this information previously, critical thinking can be an empowering tool in helping one with making decisions!

Why is the scientific literature incomplete?

Dr. Karin Dina, D.C.July 25, 2012May 23, 2018

lettuce2 — At one time we did not know why plants have green coloring. Our scientific knowledge is constantly growing.

This is one of the many popular questions that I am asked by people who are trying to find information on any variety of health and nutrition related topics. I personally experience this challenge very often. When researching, sometimes I find information that I seek, sometimes I have to wait awhile, and some information I may never know in this lifetime. Many times in the past, I have looked for information on various health-related topics and found little to no information, and then looked again a year or two later and have found brand new research on the topic. I love when this happens! Scientific research is a work in progress.

Now, back to our question – the answer is simple: there is a lot that we know and a lot more that we have yet to learn. Many health and nutrition related topics have not been extensively studied yet. I have spent the past 20+ years in the health sciences field, have learned a tremendous amount, and am consistently in awe of how much information is actually available. What is even more exciting is what will be studied in years to come. I look forward to learning this information as it becomes available, and I know that many of you share this same enthusiasm for learning.

So, why this blog post? I find it very important for people to understand that the scientific literature is incomplete, and always will be incomplete. I find this concept so important, that I mention this fact in the classes that I teach with my husband, Dr. Rick Dina, D.C. Those of you who have taken our Science of Raw Food Nutrition classes very likely remember me speaking of this. I know that some of you think I say this too much! LOL! I agree that I say this all too often, but I really find it important to mention again and again…… Do I sound like a broken record? 🙂 A recent conversation really prompted me to write about this on my blog in addition to talking about it in class, because I find it so important for people to understand.

Given that there are so many topics in the health and nutrition literature that are not well studied, I encourage people to keep an open mind about their approach to health. There are many steps and tangents in between a raw plant based diet and the standard western diet, and one needs to consider where they are on that continuum, what results are they experiencing, and how these relate to their personal health goals. One’s approach to diet does not necessarily have to involve extremes or what another considers to be ideal, and just like research, can be a work in progress.