![]() It's rather ironic that only a few short weeks ago I was happily writing about the AND's turnabout on several nutrition issues while today I'm sharing the case of an Australian dietitian whose governing body, the Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA), has expelled her because she makes recommendations that are "inconsistent with Evidence-Based Practice." And to add insult to injury, her name has been added to their public list of other dietitians who have been expelled or suspended from the organization for "disciplinary reasons." For those of you who don't know Jennifer Elliott, she is a dietitian and author from New South Wales, Australia, who has been practicing for more than 30 years. For the past ten, she has recommended a moderately low-carbohydrate diet for people with diabetes and insulin resistance, many of whom have experienced significant improvement as a result of following her advice. This approach arose out of her own extensive research into the causes of insulin resistance, along with the overwhelmingly positive impact carbohydrate restriction has had on her middle daughter, who was diagnosed with this condition as a teen (You can read the full story on Jennifer's website, along with her recent blog posts about the expulsion). She is an extremely bright, responsible, well-regarded dietitian who truly cares about her patients and does everything she can to help them. .Jennifer is also my friend and someone I speak with on a frequent basis. In Australia, Accredited Practicing Dietitians (APD's, similar to Registered Dietitians or RD's in the US) are required to provide nutrition recommendations that adhere to Australia's Dietary Guidelines. Jennifer has been genuinely perplexed as to how the situation has unfolded. Australia looks to the US, specifically the American Diabetes Association (ADA), as a trusted source of evidence-based information on diabetes management, and in the past DAA has stated that they endorse the ADA guidelines for use by dietitians in Australia. Jennifer has stayed up to date with these guidelines and the changes over the years, including their 2013 position paper Nutrition Therapy Recommendations for the Management of Adults with Diabetes, which states: "Evidence suggests that there is not an ideal percentage of calories from carbohydrate, protein, and fat for all people with diabetes; therefore, macronutrient distribution should be based on individualized assessment of current eating patterns, preferences, and metabolic goals….A variety of eating patterns have been shown modestly effective in managing diabetes including Mediterranean-style, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) style, plant-based, lower-fat, and lower-carbohydrate patterns." It is disingenuous of the DAA to find against Jennifer for using a lower-carbohydrate approach for patients with diabetes and insulin resistance, when the ADA states that it is indeed one of several options that may be followed by such patients. In fact, the ADA asked me to write an article about carbohydrate restriction for their journal Diabetes Spectrum nearly three years ago. I find it very upsetting and extremely unfair that a caring, dedicated dietitian such as Jennifer, who has helped so many patients improve their health and quality of life, is being treated this way. At this point, several like-minded dietitians, doctors, and researchers are working to publicize Jennifer's story and provide her with support in fighting this ruling. We can use help in spreading the word. And please stay tuned for further details as they become available. "When you believe in something, fight for it. And when you see injustice, fight harder than you've ever fought before." - Brad Meltzer
54 Comments
I am so shocked and feel not only is this sad but it is an injustice to our patients and science on the whole. I am a dietitian and feel that a restricted carb diet has many health benefits! It is also scary to think we might be expelled for handing out this advise to patients.
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Arthur H Hazeldine
7/1/2015 10:51:10 am
The truth as far as I am concerned, is that Tim Noaks is right!
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7/3/2015 11:11:02 pm
Thanks so much for sharing your story, Arthur. Congratulations on the many health improvements you've experienced via a LCHF lifestyle. Truly inspirational! 6/11/2015 02:26:25 am
Hi Franziska
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6/11/2015 03:55:58 am
Hello Eddie,
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Jillm
6/11/2015 05:41:13 am
I wrote a letter to the DAA politely expressing my thoughts. It was a handwritten letter.
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Jillm
10/1/2015 12:31:35 pm
I received a response from the DAA, promoting the DAA.
Lynda
6/11/2015 06:07:15 am
I too read this via Dr Karen Zinn's Facebook page. It simply astounds me that recommending low carb for a diabetic is considered wrong. The madness is that diabetics are now told sugar is just another carb and eat carbs like a normal person.
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6/11/2015 09:11:10 am
Congratulations, Elaine! This is the sort of improvement I see time in again when people with diabetes adopt a carb-restricted diet. Keep up the great work!
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Suzanne
6/11/2015 07:48:58 am
The DAA says that their complaints process mirrors that of AHPRA. Yes. But the DAA has no transparency in its decision making. It's all "confidential". I can go and read the details of why a doctor, nurse, dentist, insert other health professional, was suspended or struck off. But a dietitian? No.
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6/11/2015 09:12:31 am
Thanks very much for your insightful comments Suzanne. Appreciated!
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Sonia
6/11/2015 07:55:50 am
This is despicable. What can we do to get this lady reinstated, if indeed that's what she wants....
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Marilyn Schroeder
6/11/2015 08:41:22 am
Having read the correspondence between the ADA and Jennifer that Jennifer has bravely made public, I found the ADA's decision appalling. A pity that the ADA doesn't appear to be regulated by AHPRA, the body to which most Australian health professions belong. The process may have been handled more professionally and fairly.
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Marilyn Schroeder
6/11/2015 08:49:47 am
Apologies. My earlier comment stated ADA when clearly I should have written DAA. Mea Culpa.
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6/11/2015 09:13:51 am
No worries, Marilyn. I knew you meant DAA. Confusing acronyms! Appreciate your comments.
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6/11/2015 08:57:38 am
On Jimmy Moore's recently completed eighth low-carb cruise one of the diabetic attendees had persistent high blood glucose despite almost 200 units of insulin per day. At the recommendation of a prominent physician she stopped all carbohydrates and cut her insulin. Within the week she was completely off her insulin with blood glucose in the 100 range. A dramatic case that this is not uncommon with proper, aggressive, appropriate treatment of diabetes. Jennifer is spot on.
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6/11/2015 09:17:18 am
Hello Phil,
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DIANA
6/11/2015 10:22:01 am
SO disappointed to read this & see Jennifer Elliott - someone who finally 'GETS IT" about the effects of carbs on a Diabetic's health - being vilified & ousted by the DAA. I just put this post on their fb page.
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Amy
6/11/2015 11:11:04 am
it is shameful that this should happen! There is so much evidence that this helps people! Everyone is advocating something similar and then these associations can do this!! At least people are opening their eyes to these 'new' trends and are taking their health into their own hands. Well don
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Sally Hosken
6/11/2015 11:25:04 am
Maybe the dietitians will change their ideas when they get sued by patients for giving false / outdated advice
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6/11/2015 08:22:39 pm
Completely agree - there needs to be class actions all over the world facilitated and coordinated by experienced medical litigators.
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Alain Millett
6/11/2015 03:36:00 pm
Totally horrified that the people who are charged with looking after our health, are doing their best to make us unhealthy. The only person who has given me decent advice is a naturopath. She recommended 15 grams of carbs max for a meal and 7 grams for a snack. The Diabetes educators recommended 30grams for a snack and a whopping 60 grams for a meal.
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6/13/2015 05:01:45 am
That's great advice from your naturopath, Alain. And I'm a fan of Himalayan sea salt as well.
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Gerri
6/11/2015 03:42:52 pm
Utterly appalling Jennifer Elliott has been victimized for providing clients with sound, healthful guidance. A witch hunt. Hoping DAA's unconscionable actions results in a backlash that raises awareness & reinstates Jennifer. Kudos for getting her story out. My health as a T1 would be severely compromised if I followed standard dietary advice.
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6/11/2015 06:56:10 pm
I am saddened by this news. I am not insulin resistant, but I have also benefitted from a low carb, high fat diet. It has rid me of a host of illnesses and I've lost my visceral belly fat. No other diet was effective in healing my body as the low carb, high fat was. I hope that the ADA sees the error of their ways and re-instate Dr. Jennifer Elliott ASAP. We have more than 77000 people following that diet here in South Africa with amazing results, especially for the diabetics.
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Clemmie Wilson
6/11/2015 07:30:12 pm
What a load of @#$%%$# BS! Wake up to the 20th century DAA. This just proves what I have thought for a long time - you guys are well out of touch with Diabetes management and must enjoy being in bed with the pharmaceutical companies. I went against the medical model of medications for my Type II Diabetes, refused the medications and managed it with my naturopath with a low carb diet. I reversed it within 12 months, to the "astonishment" of my GP who said the results must have been wrong in the first place. Funny that she didn't even bother to ask how I had "reversed it". It seems to be a popular trend at the moment- Pete Evans is getting a grilling for promoting healthy real food - forget the "paleo name tag" for a minute here - he is promoting proper real healthy food. Why is that such a frigging problem? Which part of that is so hard to understand? It's real healthy food. Why do the DAA have such an issue with real healthy food when its a much better way to go than processed crap filled with sugar and by the way, causes so many health issues today….... wait for it……. diabetes included….. WOW…...Most of the health issues are life style related, which funnily enough, can be reverted when you eat real healthy food and not processed crap. The research is out there if you can be bothered to read it. I know who I'm backing here. I sure hope the DAA come to their senses and retract their expulsion of Jennifer Elliott. They have completely lost my respect.
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RF Carp
6/12/2015 12:01:50 am
Perhaps the expelled dietitians could start their own organization.
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Ali
6/12/2015 12:52:49 am
Yes, well, all 'Associations' or 'bodies' are just groups of people who set themselves up as the definitive 'go-to' experts on any given subject. you are expected to believe in and 'conform' to their opinions in order to fulfil their criteria and 'win' their qualifications.
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6/12/2015 12:54:56 am
Thanks Franziska,
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6/13/2015 05:03:33 am
Excellent points, Jeff. Thanks for your comments and support.
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Lesley
6/12/2015 07:42:12 am
As a Dr I would just like to put my hand up as a supporter of low carb diets. They make complete metabolic sense for diabetics, those with insulin resistance related disorders and for weight loss, and the evidence is now starting to role in in support of these diets. Add to that the thousands of people benefitting, and I think it is just a question of time before we start to see changes in recommendations, it's inevitable, and those trying to hold back the tide are irresponsible and ill informed. I agree with the author, Jennifer is actually operating within their guidelines ( which have no force in law anyway, they are merely 'expert' group recommendations. ) Unfortunately, since these guidelines have been in use for nearly 50 years, they are not questioned and are applied with almost religious conviction. To disagree is to be branded a heretic. The comparison with Galileo is apt! I think like minded professionals who believe this is the way forward should set up their own association and start making their own recommendations based on current evidence and free of the taint of commercial support. Why is support from the likes of nestle and coca cola needed anyway? it completely ethically compromises these organisations in my opinion, and cannot be justified.
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6/13/2015 05:05:24 am
Thank you, Leslie, for your insightful comments and support of those who advocate carbohydrate restriction.
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Maxine
6/12/2015 11:53:22 am
I have come to the conclusion a long time ago that there is just too much money to be made out of us all being unwell or sick, just imagine for a minute if people didn’t need drugs or stopped eating all the so called food from the middle isles in the supermarket. So we as individuals have to take control..
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Galina L.
6/12/2015 12:03:50 pm
I can't believe actions of DAA are juridically solid. The act of expelling based on something close to an anonymous complain without any opportunity for self-defense should be an easy target for any layer.
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Debbie
6/12/2015 11:51:46 pm
why not do a test or survey of the diabetes sufferers and their Dr and Diets followed. see who comes out alive is what is the end result is. I have change OUR diets for my husbands sake and he is no longer pre-diabetic, in under 6 months. I have benefited by losing 6 kg, and I thought I was at a healthy weight of 60kg 165cm. no arthritis and cramps have eased off, more energetic. both our blood test showed improvements, yet our LDL readings were higher, my bloods were normal except the LDL, but I'm going for another test to see if they are the good FAT LDLs as pointed out by Dr Gary Fettke, if so, im on a winning eating regime. LC/HF
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6/13/2015 05:11:59 am
Congratulations on your health improvements and those of your husband, Debbie! Yes, I'd really like to see a study that looks at the long-term outcomes (complications, quality of life, mortality) of those who manage diabetes with a low-fat diet vs. carbohydrate restriction.
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6/13/2015 12:53:32 am
Hello Franziska,
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6/13/2015 05:14:21 am
Thanks so much for taking the time to comment here, Werner. I appreciate your support and know that Jennifer does as well.
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Gillian
10/1/2015 10:28:00 am
Verner,
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6/30/2015 10:49:10 pm
Her expulsion is better evidence that she is qualified than her degree ever was!
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Kelly
7/1/2015 12:08:18 am
I'm not saying there's a massive conspiracy, but I am saying that all the incentives are in place to protect the status quo... Money, power.. entire careers in medicine, science and the corporate world have been built on the faulty/fraudulent "fat phobic" foundation.
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Gillian
10/1/2015 10:14:59 am
Dear All,
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10/1/2015 11:49:39 am
Thank you very much, Gillian. I wrote a letter to Ms. Skinner several weeks ago and shared widely on social media, encouraging others to do the same. I hope that our efforts result in a hearing.
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Gillian
10/1/2015 02:13:43 pm
Thank you, Franziska. 10/1/2015 03:05:50 pm
Thanks so much for your astute and insightful comments, Gillian. I agree with them wholeheartedly. 10/1/2015 01:04:51 pm
Hi Franziska
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Sarah Hodgson
5/17/2016 09:16:18 pm
Keep up the great work!!!!
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Sal
12/3/2016 10:12:53 pm
By definition, anyone agreeing with the author's post is sane, sensible, fair-minded and probably very flexible. But in the media, the public face of dieticians seems to be dominated by naturally thin, po-faced, holier-than-thou, disapproving types who want people to follow cookie-cutter approaches to diet which bang on about being evidence-based but are in fact folk theory (common sense, which is not always right, and is often based on moralising: overweight? you need to be made to suffer -- having judged others for difficulties they don't have themselves, they want them to "pay the price" of their bad habits). Also they conflate "overweight and obese" to disguise the actual scope of the issue of weight and entrench themselves as the guardians of dietic virtue. (Yes I have someone particular in mind, but if the cap fits, wear it, Person X.)
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