EBN (evidence-based nutrition) Ver. 2.0

Abstract

The criteria used in evidence-based medicine provide a poor fit for decisions concerning nutrient intake recommendations. For many nutrient-disease relationships, level 1 evidence cannot be ethically obtained. The challenge is to design an approach that will allow responsible development of national policy in the absence of randomized clinical trials. A decision strategy based not on proving benefit but on estimating harm is proposed. We note that not changing a recommendation is itself a recommendation. Copyright © 2011 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.