Research Showcase Abstracts
Explore abstracts from CFDR’s annual research showcase at the DC Conference.
Year
2010
Language
English
Title
Attitudes of Canadian Dietitians about Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods
Introduction/Purpose
Judy Sheeshka, RD, PhD, shared details of her CFDR-funded research at the May 2010 Research Breakfast. Judy's research project examined the following questions: How do Canadian dietitians (RDs) feel about nutraceuticals & functional foods? Should these products carry health claims? What roles do RDs play in recommending these products? Are there concerns about these products? Do RDs recommend them to clients?
Through their survey of 151 dietitians from across Canada, the research term learned that 60% felt that health claims should be permitted with adequate scientific evidence and government regulation and that 81% felt that dietitians are the best professionals to recommend functional foods. However, dietitians were less clear about nutraceuticals, suggesting that pharmacists may be in a better position to recommend nutraceuticals. The team further learned that dietitians are cautiously optimistic about the potential benefits of functional foods and nutraceuticals, both for specific clinical groups and for the general public.
The study also showed that dietitians need to work in partnerships with government, industry and other health professionals to ensure that consumers get consistent messaging about functional foods and neutraceuticals. This recommendation was acted on in April 2010 when 60 people (dietitians, industry professionals, pharmacists and academics) attended a forum at the University of Waterloo entitled Functional Foods & Nutraceuticals: A Collaborative Forum Linking Practitioners & Researchers. Presentations by family health teams were particularly forward-thinking; 2 pairs of dietitians and pharmacists spoke about their experiences working as a team and providing advice on functional foods and nutraceuticals.
Through their survey of 151 dietitians from across Canada, the research term learned that 60% felt that health claims should be permitted with adequate scientific evidence and government regulation and that 81% felt that dietitians are the best professionals to recommend functional foods. However, dietitians were less clear about nutraceuticals, suggesting that pharmacists may be in a better position to recommend nutraceuticals. The team further learned that dietitians are cautiously optimistic about the potential benefits of functional foods and nutraceuticals, both for specific clinical groups and for the general public.
The study also showed that dietitians need to work in partnerships with government, industry and other health professionals to ensure that consumers get consistent messaging about functional foods and neutraceuticals. This recommendation was acted on in April 2010 when 60 people (dietitians, industry professionals, pharmacists and academics) attended a forum at the University of Waterloo entitled Functional Foods & Nutraceuticals: A Collaborative Forum Linking Practitioners & Researchers. Presentations by family health teams were particularly forward-thinking; 2 pairs of dietitians and pharmacists spoke about their experiences working as a team and providing advice on functional foods and nutraceuticals.
Objective(s)/Process or Summary of Content
How do Canadian dietitians (RDs) feel about nutraceuticals & functional foods?
◦Should these products carry health claims?
◦ What roles do RDs play in recommending these products?
◦ Are there concerns about these products?
◦ Do RDs recommend them to clients?
◦Should these products carry health claims?
◦ What roles do RDs play in recommending these products?
◦ Are there concerns about these products?
◦ Do RDs recommend them to clients?
Conclusions(s)/Recommendations
FFN is a new, evolving area and most RDs have had little formal training
◦“cautiously optimistic”
◦ “show me the [unbiased] evidence”
Training with pharmacists, alternative health care providers, nurses, to ensure consistent messages
◦“cautiously optimistic”
◦ “show me the [unbiased] evidence”
Training with pharmacists, alternative health care providers, nurses, to ensure consistent messages
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