Why "Nutritionist" Licensing Is Important

Bernadean University, of Van Nuys, California, offered "nutritionist" and "cancer researcher" certificates, "master's degrees," and "Ph.D. degrees" in acupuncture, reflexology, iridology, naturopathy, homeopathy, and nutrition. Dietitian Virginia Aronson took the "nutritionist" course and reported that she got high grades on all tests whether she put down correct answers or not. In 1982, Bernadean was ordered to cease operations because it was not authorized by the state. However, it continued to operate and was recently renamed Burney Universitatis and Burney University. Bernadean's most prominent alumnus is "Dr." Richard Passwater, author of Supernutrition and several other books.

Where to Get Professional Nutrition Advice

Comment from a Chiropractic Nutritionist

Dr. Stewart Edrich Seal Beach, California Chiropractor, 1991 Graduate of Los Angeles Chiropractic College Certified Clinical Nutritionist Diplomate American Chiropractic Board of Nutrition Practitioner of various muscle testing techniques including Applied Kinesiology, Nutritional Reflex Analysis, Blood Analysis, and good old fashioned common sense.

2. Mrs. Kadile represents herself as a "Certified Clinical Nutritionist" in literature distributed by the Kadile medical office, and has spoken publicly at seminars in Green Bay which are sponsored by the Kadile medical office. Dr. Kadile and Mrs.

Kadile have referred to her in these seminars as a "Certified Clinical Nutritionist."

What you eat is not necessarily what you utilize and absorb; therefore, nutritional therapy is the cornerstone of our success in restoring patients to good health. New research data is continuously supporting our approach. We offer the newest testing available to diagnose nutritional deficiencies. We also treat a variety of health problems with simple nutritional changes. Our Certified Clinical Nutritionist is available to discuss nutritional needs with you.

4. At a public seminar conducted in Green Bay on December 7, 1995 (at which the above brochure was distributed), Mrs. Kadile addressed the 40-50 people present for approximately 45 minutes, stating that she was a "Clinical Nutritionist." She stated (among other things): "You cannot get all of the vitamins and minerals you need from eating vegetables, fruits and meats and other foods. There is no doubt, you must take supplements." She also stated words to the effect that eating breads, pastas, and other carbohydrates had negative effects upon the body. She distributed written material stating that milk products are linked to ovarian cancer, cataracts, and childhood-onset diabetes, and that they encourage iron deficiency. She represented that a "Zone Diet" was the best way to eat, which involves high protein consumption.

5. On multiple occasions, Mrs. Kadile has made entries in the patient health care records of patients of her husband's clinic, signing those entries with her name and the initials "CCN" by which she intended to indicate that she was signing the entry in her capacity as a "Certified Clinical Nutritionist." These entries were notes of nutrition counseling sessions with the patients, at which dietary advice and recommendations were given to the patients to assist them in losing weight, reducing cholesterol, improving their diabetes, and in other ways improving their health.

6. On April 15, 2003, an advertisement was published by respondent's clinic in The Door County Advocate, a general circulation newspaper published near Green Bay. That advertisement identified Mrs. Kadile as "Clinical Nutritionist."

8. In light of her activities as described above, the use by Genia Ilecki Kadile of the title "Certified Clinical Nutritionist" or "Clinical Nutritionist" has a tendency to represent her as certified in a nutrition-related field.

WHEREFORE, the division demands that a public hearing be held and that the Department of Regulation & Licensing issue a special order enjoining Genia Ilecki Kadile from using any title which tends to represent that she is certified or licensed in a nutrition-related field including but not limited to the titles of Certified Clinical Nutritionist or Clinical Nutritionist, and from doing any other act which may constitute an activity for which a credential is required from the Dietitians Affiliated Credentialing Board or another board attached to the Department, unless she obtains such credential.

Perhaps the most influential advocate of vitamin and food therapy is a man named Carlton Fredericks, who is described on the covers of books he has written as "America's Foremost Nutritionist." According to Fredericks, dozens of diseases can be treated by taking vitamins. Five days a week. Fredericks' radio program on health and nutrition, "Living Should Be Fun," is heard on radio stations throughout the United States. It is followed by hundreds of thousands of avid listeners: the cover of one of his recent books says that the program generates ten thousand letters a week to one New York station alone (the program is broadcast on New York's WOR, and is sold to other stations). For four years, Fredericks was an associate professor of nutrition at an Eastern university, and his books on medicine, health, and nutrition have sold millions of copies. Yet he has never taken a course in nutrition.

Meanwhile, of course, Fredericks had been continuing his broadcasts, and had been appearing in the vitamin catalogues of Foods Plus, Inc., as "Chief Consultant" to the firm. Various catalogues featured his pic-ture and described him as an "internationally famous nutritionist" who had spent "long years of research and practice in the field of scientific nutrition," and who "has either formulated or tested and approved special formulas listed in this catalog."

Fredericks' name appeared frequently in testimony, His reputation and ability were defended by one medical witness, who referred to him as "outstanding" but who, prior to the trial had found it medically advisable to drop the services of Fredericks' office, Among critical comments was that of Dr, Herbert, who, on being asked if Fredericks was a nutritionist, replied, "No." An objection was overruled, and then:

A. "I am asked as a scientist, as a nutritionist in the scientific sense whether Dr. Fredericks is a nutritionist, I must answer within my competency as a nutritionist in the scientific sense that Dr, Fredericks is a charlatan,"

BUT what about the air waves and the Federal Communications Commission? "It is the public's interest which must prevail," FCC Chairman E. William Henry said recently in describing FCC'S view of how the air waves should be regulated. But with specific regard to Carlton Fredericks, is no public interest involved when a person who has been convicted of practicing medicine without a license, and who has never taken a course in the science of nutrition, is called "America's Foremost Nutritionist" and goes on the air waves to "educate" millions of people about their health? Faced with this question, Henry and his administrative assistant, John F, Cushman, said that they were familiar with Fredericks' career. Cushman explained that FCC'S powers extend only to licensees—that is, broadcasting stations --and not to individuals who appear on the air. It is difficult to see what part of the Federal Communications Act, or what. commission rule, if any, a licensee might be violating by airing broadcasts such as those of Carlton Fredericks. The so-called fairness doctrine, involving the allotment of "equal time" to both sides of a controversial issue, would obviously be inappropriate in the area of scientific information.

In 1978, Benjamin Wilson, M.D., a surgical resident concerned about quackery, examined Bernadean's offerings and made a series of inquiries. One course that was offered was "Child. 101," which cost $90 and was described as: "Comprehensive course in home delivery, with section on natural birth control. Certificate as Mid-Wife." "Can. 401," offered for $120, was described as "a special research course in cancer theories and therapies. Degree as Master of Cancer Theories (Ct.M.)." Other offerings included a three-credit course in basic nutrition, resulting in a certificate as a "Nutritionist," for $120. A "Cancer Researcher" certificate could be obtained after a two-credit-hour course costing $80. Holders of a bachelor's degree could obtain a master's degree if they wrote a "thesis" or took "some short course with the school." A doctoral degree ("PhD" or "ScD") could then be obtained by taking 36 credit hours (@ $40 per credit) or writing an "equivalent" thesis. "Doctoral" degrees in acupuncture, reflexology, iridology, naturopathy, and homeopathy were also available. The naturopathy course cost $800 or $2,400. Both were said to have the same contents, but the more expensive version included unlimited toll-free telephone calls with Kadans plus "free consultations," a tape recorder, and a tape of a health talk with each lesson.

In, 1981, Virginia Aronson, RD, (a real nutritionist) obtained a "Nutritionist" certificate from Bernadean, even though she deliberately attempted to fail the course. On the first "test," she answered the 35 true/false questions in accordance with nutrition facts. Since nearly one third of her answers contradicted information given in the school's lessons, she expected to get a grade of 70 or below. However, the test was returned with a grade of 90, with a letter from the "office administrator" stating: "You may use the book for answers as it is an open book course. I just seem to feel that you put the answers in the wrong column." On the second test, Aronson answered all the questions accurately so that her grade-based on information given in the course-should have been a zero. Yet she received a grade of 100% and an accompanying note congratulating her on the "excellent manner in which you have completed the Nutrition course." Her "Nutritionist" certificate, obtained for an additional $10, contains an attractive gold seal and indicates that she graduated "cum laude"!

Aronson V. You can't tell a nutritionist by the diploma. FDA Consumer 17(6):28-29, 1983.

Why Nutritionist Licensing Is Important

In medicine and most other professional fields, educational standards are controlled by laws which protect the public. But anyone who so chooses may designate himself a "nutritionist." Degrees in nutrition are granted by some of the nation's most respected universities. Such degrees represent the completion of a thorough, scientifically sound training program.

Becoming a "Nutritionist"

I enrolled in the "Nutritionist" course, which consisted of two lessons costing $41.00 apiece, and was based on a $12.50 "textbook" called How to Get Well by Paavo Airola, a naturopath who, according to his book jacket, "studied ancient herbal and alternative healing methods during his worldwide travels." His other books include Stop Hair Loss, Swedish Beauty Secrets, How to Keep Slim, Healthy and Young with JuiceFasting, and Are You Confused? After reading his books, one may well be!

It was remarkably easy to complete these lessons, and obtain my "credentials" as a professional nutritionist. Each Bernadean lesson included a single open-book exam to be returned to the University for grading. The first lesson's exam was true/false; the second was short answer. When I took the first test, I deliberately gave some answers that contradicted information in the school's lesson. My exam was returned to me with a surprisingly high grade, and with a helpful letter from the Office Administrator which stated: "You may use the book for answers as it is an open book course. I just seem to feel that you put the answers in the wrong column."

On the second exam, I again gave some answers that contradicted information in the lesson. To my surprise, I received a grade of 100 percent and an accompanying note congratulating me on the "excellent manner in which you have completed the Nutrition course." I then sent $10 for the "Nutritionist" certificate to hang on my office wall. Although the certificate includes an attractive gold seal and indicates that I graduated "Cum Laude," my colleagues in the Harvard Nutrition Department seem unimpressed by it.

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As Donsbach graduates began representing themselves to the public as nutrition professionals, the American Dietetic Association began a drive for passage of state laws to restrict use of the word "nutritionist" to qualified professionals with accredited training. So far, more than 40 states and the District of Columbia have passed laws to regulate nutritionists. Some make it illegal for unqualified persons to call themselves dietitians or nutritionists, while others define nutrition practice and who is eligible to practice. The most basic requirement is completion of accredited training. Licensing does not offer complete protection against all forms of nutrition practice conducted privately between consenting adults. (It does not, for example, protect people from the poor advice offered by many chiropractors, acupuncturists, naturopaths, and health-food retailers.) But it can deter untrained individuals from widely advertising that they are experts.

"Nutritionist" Licensing

In the mid-1980s, dietitians began spearheading bills to restrict use of the word "nutritionist" to individuals with recognized credentials. Some of the bills also define "nutrition practice" and restrict it to licensed practitioners. This drive was stimulated largely by the rise of nonaccredited nutrition schools and of organizations such as AANC. The dietitians believe—as I do—that government should try to protect the public against individuals who misrepresent their credentials. AANC opposed these bills and even drafted a model "Nutritional Counselors Licensing Act" that would have enabled its members to gain licensure. However, as far as I know, its activities had little political impact.

American Health Science University offers a Certified Nutritionist (CN) credential to students who complete its six-course "distance learning program" and take an examination.

Because the titles "nutritionist" and "nutrition consultant" are unregulated in most states, they have been adopted by many individuals who lack recognized credentials and are unqualified. In addition, a small percentage of licensed practitioners are engaged in unscientific nutrition practices. The best way to avoid bad nutrition advice is to identify and avoid those who give it. I recommend steering clear of:

Why "Nutritionist" Licensing Is Important

As Donsbach graduates began representing themselves to the public as nutrition professionals, the American Dietetic Association began a drive for passage of state laws to restrict use of the word "nutritionist" to qualified professionals with accredited training. So far. more than 40 states and the District of Columbia have passed laws to regulate nutritionists. Some make it illegal for unqualified persons to call themselves dietitians or nutritionists, while others define nutrition practice and who is eligible to practice. The most basic requirement is completion of accredited training. Licensing does not offer complete protection against all forms of nutrition practice conducted privately between consenting adults. (It does not, for example, protect people from the poor advice offered by many chiropractors, acupuncturists, naturopaths, and health-food retailers.) But it can deter untrained individuals from widely advertising that they are experts.

The Certified Clinical Nutritionist (CCN) credential is offered by the Clinical Nutrition Certification Board, an organization founded in 1991 to offer credentialing to nutrition professionals who might not be eligible to become registered dietitians or to be certified by the American Board of Nutrition (the nutrition specialty organization recognized by ABMS). The paper requirements for CCN certification are substantial, and many CCN-holders practice legitimately.

Toward this end, the site offers online anti-aging, osteoporosis, growth hormone, immune system, ADD (attention deficit disorder), cataract, anxiety, sinusitis, fibromyalgia, digestive, thyroid, and vitality. The Vitality Test contains 30 questions that are answered "never," "seldom," "occasionally," "often," or "very often." The other eleven tests are composed of 20 to 25 "yes" or "no" choices. For the more adventurous, Dr. Bob offers a comprehensive digestive test ($495), a mineral and toxic metal test ($195), an adrenal stress test ($249), a salivary hormone test ($295), a nutritional blood analysis ($395), and a free radical test ($59.95, but included in the nutritional blood analysis). He also reassures that "if you have testing of any kind through Nutritional Testing Services, a physician/board certified clinical nutritionist will be doing the analysis and recommending." I assume that this refers to "Dr. Bob."

The online questionnaires focus on eating habits, other lifestyle factors, symptoms, and mood. After checking off some or all of the answers, clicking on the "Click Here For results" button brings up a new page indicating whether the subject has a problem and what should be done about it. It would be possible to design a questionnaire that would help a physician or nutritionist identify areas that should be examined further. No such questionnaire should ever be used as the should used as the sole basis for recommending treatment. "Dr Bob's" questionnaires are worthless because both the answers they generate and the treatment recommendations are absurd. For example, answering "yes" to between one and four of the 25 questions in the "Predictive Anti-Aging/Longevity Test" yields the response:

3. In the same brochure, respondent advertised as follows: "Our Certified Clinical Nutritionist is available to discuss nutritional needs with you," when respondent had no person on his staff or associated with his practice who was or is certified under §§448.70 to 448.94, Wis. Stats, although the identified person had passed a certification test for a national private association in the field of nutrition in 1991.

Tony Perrone, has a "PhD" from CCNH. In 2008, his Web site stated that he was "one of the nation's leading nutritional authorities" and had been practicing "alternative medicine and clinical nutrition" for 17 years. In 2010, the site stated that he was "among the most effective alternative medicine and anti-aging specialists in the world," had been labeled by the media as "nutritionist to the stars," and "works with clients with nearly every imaginable illness."

Where to Get Nutrition Advice updated 7/4/00)

The Union Institute is also accredited, but its degree requirements and standards for health-related doctoral degrees differ greatly from those of most traditional universities. Students design their own program, form and chair their own doctoral committee, and are required to attend only an introductory colloquium and a few interdisciplinary seminars. Null's thesis, entitled "A Study of Psychological and Physiological Effects of Caffeine on Human Health," was approved in in August 1989. The approval document states that his PhD committee was composed of a "core faculty member," three "adjunct professors," two "peers," and a "second core reader." The "core faculty member," Peter Fenner, was a well-credentialed academician whose expertise (in geologic sciences) was not related to Null's topic. One of the three "adjunct professors" was Martin Feldman, MD, a "complementary" physician (and "clinical ecologist") who has pinch-hit for Null as a radio host, and helped develop some of Null's books and supplement formulations. The other two were Philip J. Hodes and Elayne Kahn. When I asked a school official about their background or location, he replied that information was in storage and was too difficult to obtain. In 2005, I located mention of "Dr. Philip Jay Hodes, Ph.D, Ed.D., Practitioner Holistic, Health Detoxification & Orthomolecular Nutritionist, Consultant" on a Web site that sells "natural tropical herbal medicines." I also discovered that Elayne Kahn is a psychologist in New York City who coauthored a book with Null that was published in 1976 .

All of this may have been too much for Keller's chiropractor-nutritionist partner, Barbara Masse. Police records show that she attempted suicide in her motel in Brownsville. She survived, however, and is among those to be sentenced from the March 1985 trials.

Stephen A Cherniske, MS has been described as a biochemist, nutritionist, medical writer, and "one of the leading anti-aging authorities."

Infinity2, is a multilevel company headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. During the mid-1990s, company publications described him as "a nutritionist by degree, with postgraduate wok in sports medicine, rehabilitation, and fitness training . . . . a Certified Nutritional Microscopist and nationally licensed phlebotomist." During this period, he was identified as the formulator of Infinity2 products, company president, director of health services, and directory of the company's professional advisory council. The company's leading product was a digestive enzyme capsule promoted with a videotape in which Grant warned that "enzyme deficiencies" were a serious problem that should be solved by taking the product. In its early days, Infinity2's professional division signed up professionals (mostly chiropractors) who used live-cell analysis to persuade patients that they needed supplements. This procedure, which is bogus, is carried out by placing a drop of blood from the patient's fingertip on a microscope slide under a glass cover slip to keep it from quickly drying out. The slide is viewed at high magnification with a dark-field microscope that forwards the image to a television monitor. Both practitioner and patient can then see the blood cells, which appear as dark bodies outlined in white. The Infinity2 distributor would record what happened to a videotape that featured Grant pontificating about "enzyme deficiencies" and why the company's products were needed . Infinity2 no longer appears to promote this procedure or to have a professional division, but the Optimal health Systems site has an article promoting "phase contrast microscopy as an educational tool.

Mindell’s Vitamin Bible was written while he was working toward his Ph.D. His adjunct faculty adviser for the project was James Kenney, Ph.D., R.D., who is currently a nutritionist at the Pritikin Longevity Center in Santa Monica, California. Kenney reviewed the manuscript while tutoring Mindell and told him that it contained over 400 errors, more than 100 of which were important. Kenney told me that most of the errors remain in the published edition. The acknowledgements section of the book recognizes Dr. Kenney for his help and also thanks the American Medical Association, the National Academy of Sciences, the National Dairy Council, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Nutrition Foundation, “without whom a project of this scope could never have been completed.” However, the fact that all these prestigious organizations would strenuously disagree with information in the book is not mentioned.

Bickle's CV also states that she practiced as a "biochemist - nutritionist" at the Cascade Health Group, in Portland, Oregon from 1994 through 2000. However, in 1998, the Oregon Attorney general charged her with practicing medicine without a license . Affidavits in the case state that Bickle had assessed and diagnosed patients, ordered laboratory work, interpreted laboratory reports, implemented treatment plans, signed a physician's name to laboratory orders, and administered medications to patients under preexisting orders from physicians who no longer worked at the clinic. One doctor who had worked there complained that Bickle had pressured him to refer more patients for chelation treatments. Another concluded that Bickle had sought a physician as a figurehead for her clinic on order to protect herself against a charge of practicing medicine without a license.

In another 1961 case, the Government charged that Fredericks' book Eat, Live and Be Merry constituted labeling that caused vitamin products distributed by Century Foods Company of Varna, Illinois, to be misbranded. The seizure proceedings charged that the book contained false and misleading statements which represented and suggested that the products were effective for preventing and treating a long list of serious diseases. The Government also charged that the book's representation that Fredericks was "America's Foremost Nutritionist" was also false. Fredericks intervened in the matter but withdrew before the case was tried. The Government subsequently obtained a default decree, the seized products were destroyed, and 43 copies of the book were turned over to the Government for use as exhibits.

On Dec. 19, 1983, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York, Kulp was placed on probation for six months. Under terms of his probation, Kulp was prohibited from posing as a nutritionist or as an expert in nutrition, or from giving nutritional advice through broadcast media, unless and until he obtained a graduate degree in nutrition from an accredited college or university. He was also prohibited from promoting or offering for sale any food or drug product for any therapeutic uses except those appearing on the labeling of the product.

patient #1 see a nutritionist.