Stand up – and be counted!

That’s the theme this week. For nearly 5 years, Australian orthopaedic surgeon Dr Gary Fettke stood up against the body that prevented him recommending low carb diets to reduce diabetic disease and subsequent surgery. Now he’s been cleared and he’s received an apology. You’ll discover more in our lead piece.

In our second piece, we look at the implications of the UK advertising regulator’s efforts against Amazon and Protein World to ban the use of generic categories that don’t include products with corresponding EU-authorised health claims. Online retailers need to stand up against the ASA. Otherwise online retail, just months before the UK’s exist from the EU, is on its way down a very slippery slope courtesy of a bad EU law, interpreted within an inch if its life! The public will be the real losers, lost in an online world with no signposting just at a time when it’s so important people are empowered to take responsibility for their health.

The take home is simple, and it’s one that’s stood the test of time: we have to stand up and be counted.

In our weekly news, Pret a Manger death likely to change British allergen laws, evidence that artificial sweeteners harm gut bacteria, new GM-style tech designed to peddle ultra-processed gluten-containing foods to coeliacs….and more.

In health, naturally, sustainably — and prepared to be counted,

Rob Verkerk, PhD

Founder, executive & scientific director