 | By Stephanie Cornwell, Editorial Assistant | | | If there was ever an argument for doing your own research, or looking into who is funding the studies you read, this is it. | | | Today's Top Story | | Dietary Guideline Advisors Have Ties to Food and Pharma Industries |  | The Dietary Guidelines for Americans is meant to be the gold standard for nutrition information by the U.S government. Updated every five years by a committee, the guidelines heavily influence the eating habits of Americans and is used by policymakers to create federal nutrition programs.
A new report found that 95% of the committee members who create the guidelines had conflict of interests with major food and/or pharmaceutical companies.
Companies like Kellogg's, Kraft, and General Mills, that profit from prepackaged foods, were among the corporations connected to committee members.
While many health experts are tied to these corporations, the conflict of interests were not made clear on the Dietary Guidelines website.
The USDA and HHS responded with promises of transparency during the next update for the 2020-2025 guidelines. | | Know More | | Companies routinely try to influence policy or fund research to promote the sales of their products. For example, one 2016 study on the effectiveness of cranberry juice at preventing UTI's was partially funded by Ocean Spray, a grower of cranberries. | | Feel Better | | This doesn't mean that we must distrust everything in the Dietary Guidelines. Research depends on funding, and collaboration with big industry leaders doesn't always lead to corruption or "funding bias." But if you're reading a study, it's worth looking for reported conflicts of interest in the fine print. | | |  | | Most Medical Debt Will Soon Be Removed From Your Credit Score | | The three largest credit reporting agencies in the U.S. are taking steps to alleviate some of the stress caused by surprise medical bills. Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion said they would remove nearly 70% of medical debt from credit reports and double the grace period for unpaid debt to appear on a report. They will also remove the medical debt of less than $500 from reports in the first half of 2023. Experts say that while the move could help some individuals who have missed payments, it's only one step toward reducing healthcare costs. | | | | Does Insurance Cover Therapy? | | At least half of the U.S. population will get a mental health diagnosis in their lifetime, making access to mental health care incredibly important. Most insurers do offer some sort of coverage, but it's difficult to determine exactly what is covered. Therapy costs can be steep, ranging anywhere between $50 and over $200 per session, depending on the type of provider and their location. You can call your insurance carrier directly to learn what is covered and what the payment options are. For those who are uninsured, or their insurance doesn't cover their needs, you can ask therapists if they provide sliding fee scales. | | | | | |  | | In an interview with Verywell, Elizabeth Shaw, MS, RDN, CPT, explains the importance of including plant-based protein in your diet. |  | | Eating a well-balanced diet abundant in plant-based foods is important for lifelong health. | |  |  | Elizabeth Shaw, MS, RDN, CPT
California-based registered dietitian and the owner of ShawSimpleSwaps.com
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