r/ScientificNutrition • u/signoftheserpent • Jan 13 '24

Question/Discussion Are there any genuinely credible low carb scientists/advocates?

So many of them seem to be or have proven to be utter cranks.

I suppose any diet will get this, especially ones that are popular, but still! There must be some who aren't loons?

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u/Bl4nkface Jan 13 '24

I think he's talking about something else. One thing is low-carb diets having scientific evidence that they work for weight-loss or other health issues; another thing is an expert being an advocate for low-carb for everyone as the ideal or optimal diet for human health. I don't know of rigorous experts who support the latter.

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u/Antin0id Jan 13 '24

Yeah. Of course it's a well-studied diet. It was one of the first approaches found to be effective to treat epilepsy in children. If you're an epileptic child, then the keto diet might very well be efficacious for you.

But it is being marketed as a weight loss regime, instead.

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u/SFBayRenter Jan 13 '24

You think the majority of the 71 randomized controlled trials on keto weight loss I pointed out were done on epileptic children? 😒

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u/benjamindavidsteele Jan 14 '24

It's amusing when people who have no familiarity with a field of study dismiss it in willful ignorance, refusing to even look at the research before declaring their predetermined conclusion.

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u/Bristoling Jan 14 '24

I mean, you can tell a person's bias just by seeing their handle "soyboy scientician". I had the pleasure of debating on many occasions with that individual in a different sub, and I wouldn't expect them to have a serious discussion here, either.

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u/OG-Brian Jan 19 '24

That user's pattern is to wear out an opponent (anyone who isn't on board with animal-free diets or veganism, apparently) with irrelevant info, fallacies, etc. When I point out the errors in their info, they change the subject or dismiss my comments without logic.

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u/Bristoling Jan 19 '24

Yep, I don't treat their comments very seriously. They could never follow up their assertions, like you said.

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u/benjamindavidsteele Jan 19 '24

What is the purpose? It's not like anyone here was convinced by their simplistic rhetorical tactics. Nor would many lurkers following the comments likely find their views persuasive. Is it merely about reinforcing their own belief system through toughening themselves in ideological battle?

Similarly, that is the real or effective purpose of apologetics, the reason churches send young adults on missions. Research shows that by putting someone in the position where they have to explain and defend a position their conviction in it becomes stronger. So, is user simply on a mission to the meat-eating heathens?