ACSH's Dr. Gilbert Ross points out the contrasting science-based educational values of two columns in the Wall Street Journal. "The Informed Patient" by Laura Landro is about the "growing field of nutritional immunology" and all of the ways you can boost your immune system with the right diet.
"This article is unscientific," says Dr. Ross. "Landro starts out by noting a few studies showing some alleged benefits in specific circumstances of vitamin and mineral supplements. But she then goes on to state that malnutrition is a serious problem, and malnourished patients have impaired immunity and increased susceptibility to infections. While this is true, it is not relevant to the overwhelming majority of Americans and may well distract them from getting the flu vaccine, the best way to prevent influenza. Dietary measures are unproven at best."
The second, Melinda Beck's "Health Journal" feature, provides a detailed account of twenty healthcare advances to give thanks for this Thanksgiving.
"She highlights a few of the many health parameter improvements in our country over the past decade or so, replete with amazing accomplishments of medical research, innovation, and technology," says Dr. Ross. "Unfortunately, she only gets two cheers, since she felt it necessary to include items such as the decline in the number of schools selling soda and reduced trans fats among the truly remarkable achievements. But on the whole, it's a good review."
