Non-Profit Catches Low-Carb Consumers Attention
Low-Carb Consumers now have a non-profit organization working for their interests in diet, health and nutrition.
FALLS CHURCH, VA (PRWEB) March 23, 2004 -- With the growing popularity of
low-carb diets and a keen interest in controlled-carb nutrition, tens of
millions of Americans are 'watching their carbs' in an effort to lose weight and
improve health. Not only do they have dozens of plans and hundreds of new
products from which to choose, they also now have a non-profit organization
protecting their interests.
The Carbohydrate Awareness Council (CAC),
founded in November 2003, opened up membership this week to consumers, health
care professionals and the industry. They will enable a comprehensive, 'working
together' approach to support the ever-growing scientific-basis of
controlled-carb dieting and nutrition.
"As a nation, we're in the middle
of an obesity epidemic that shows no sign of slowing down," said the CAC's
President and Chief Scientific Officer, Gil Wilshire, MD. "Clearly something is
amiss with our diet. Current research is bearing out that the current paradigm
of a 'healthy, balanced' diet is not working for two-thirds of the country. The
research is also clearly showing that low carbohydrate diets enable effective
weight loss with improvements in numerous other health risk factors. We cannot
ignore this evidence simply because it is contrary to much of what we have been
taught for the past 30 years. The two-thirds of the nation that is overweight
and/or obese deserve to know this information and have it presented in an
objective manner."
By building an organization modeled after successes
like the American Diabetes Association, the CAC plans to educate consumers,
healthcare professionals, industry and public policy makers through programs and
initiatives designed to facilitate dialogue that fosters an objective look at
the scientific evidence.
"When consumers have objective, scientifically
based information available to them, they are then able to make educated
decisions about what to eat," said Regina Schumann, the council's COO. "Until
now, consumers were on their own to decipher all the conflicting low-carb
dieting and controlled-carb nutrition information. Now they know we're here and
that we are working to protect their interests. In addition, we will provide
them a voice in our organization. More importantly, though, they now know that
our organization is working to establish standards for the industry, both within
the industry and through government agencies. We are working to educate decision
makers: from public policy people to teachers, healthcare professionals to those
in the industry making products for them.”
Throughout the year, the CAC
will be actively pursuing its mission through speaking engagements,
participating in and attending a number of health related conferences,
developing and releasing position papers, and hosting its own expo &
conference in the fall.
Collaborative efforts are also underway with
other non-profit organizations as well. Anyone interested in joining the
organization to support its efforts should visit the website at http://www.carbaware.org.
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/3/prweb113255.htm