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This is somewhat of a meta-comment but why is nutrition research so challenging and contentious even in 2020? What prevents us from developing tools, whether s

This is somewhat of a meta-comment but why is nutrition research so challenging and contentious even in 2020? What prevents us from developing tools, whether statistical techniques or otherwise, from settling these questions once and for all? And why do the answers need to be universal? Most papers I've read do not universalize their results, at least outwardly, but (some) popular science writers seem to do that a lot. I can imagine, and several other comments allude to this, that individuals with different genetic makeup will experience a different set of dynamics around nutrition. I don't mean to be facetious or to suggest these aren't real challenges, I'm just curious on what the big obstacles are, in 2020.

norswap 6y ago
Take for instance, a diet. It's incredibly difficult to assess compliance with a diet (especially when the diet does not call for precise to-the-gram measurement of ingredients). The best way to make this work is to feed the subjects in the lab (and pray that they don't cheat!). This is expensive, and it's difficult to recruit subject for such constrictive experimental parameters. Also it goes without saying, but statistical tools won't save you if your data is garbage.
- ehsanu1 6y ago
  Add to that the fact that biology is mindbogglingly complicated. Different genetics, epigenetics, microbiome, food supplier, or other environmental factors could cause completely different effects with the same exact intervention. It's hard or impossible to isolate individual effects in such a large multivariate system with very nonlinear interactions.
baccheion 6y ago
It's not complicated. People keep needing to spin something new in order to maintain ratings, clients, etc.. Meet all RDAs with just a variety of whole quality foods, 1:1:1 calcium:phosphorus:magnesium ratio, and ensure sufficient quality sleep (sustained-release melatonin after growth plates fuse). Anything else is based on genetics, something that can be known and analyzed nowadays. For example, I learned I have issues with saturated fats. Some learn they have methylation/MTHFR mutations. Etc. Most things done are to maintain youthfulness, looks, etc. Mostly noise, though, save the basics mentioned above.
coldtea 6y ago
>This is somewhat of a meta-comment but why is nutrition research so challenging and contentious even in 2020? A substantial long term study, with many experimental subjects, is more costly to fund, and produces much less papers than 10 or 20 hastily done studies. The system optimizes for more papers and easier funding. Plus, research/university ties with industry means the industry (glorified telemarketers) says jump and researchers say "how high". Bad results that promote a product/supplement/fad diet can be way more profitable than good research.
atomi 6y ago
There's little money in selling broccoli and kale. But the science is very clear. Eat more veggies and fruits.

norswap 6y ago

Take for instance, a diet. It's incredibly difficult to assess compliance with a diet (especially when the diet does not call for precise to-the-gram measurement of ingredients). The best way to make this work is to feed the subjects in the lab (and pray that they don't cheat!). This is expensive, and it's difficult to recruit subject for such constrictive experimental parameters. Also it goes without saying, but statistical tools won't save you if your data is garbage.

ehsanu1 6y ago
Add to that the fact that biology is mindbogglingly complicated. Different genetics, epigenetics, microbiome, food supplier, or other environmental factors could cause completely different effects with the same exact intervention. It's hard or impossible to isolate individual effects in such a large multivariate system with very nonlinear interactions.

baccheion 6y ago

It's not complicated. People keep needing to spin something new in order to maintain ratings, clients, etc.. Meet all RDAs with just a variety of whole quality foods, 1:1:1 calcium:phosphorus:magnesium ratio, and ensure sufficient quality sleep (sustained-release melatonin after growth plates fuse). Anything else is based on genetics, something that can be known and analyzed nowadays. For example, I learned I have issues with saturated fats. Some learn they have methylation/MTHFR mutations. Etc. Most things done are to maintain youthfulness, looks, etc. Mostly noise, though, save the basics mentioned above.

coldtea 6y ago

>This is somewhat of a meta-comment but why is nutrition research so challenging and contentious even in 2020? A substantial long term study, with many experimental subjects, is more costly to fund, and produces much less papers than 10 or 20 hastily done studies. The system optimizes for more papers and easier funding. Plus, research/university ties with industry means the industry (glorified telemarketers) says jump and researchers say "how high". Bad results that promote a product/supplement/fad diet can be way more profitable than good research.

atomi 6y ago

There's little money in selling broccoli and kale. But the science is very clear. Eat more veggies and fruits.