Society of Metabolic Health Practitioners Addresses Concerns Over American Diabetes Association’s Alleged Ties to Processed Food Industry

In a seismic call for transparency and ethical dietary guidance, the Society of Metabolic Health Practitioners (SMHP) sheds light on concerns surrounding the American Diabetes Association’s (ADA) affiliations with the processed food industry. Recent allegations suggest financial transactions between the ADA and processed food conglomerates, potentially influencing nutritional recommendations and recipe endorsements.

While the ADA has long been regarded as a reputable source for diabetes-related information, the Society of Metabolic Health Practitioners advocates for an unbiased, science-driven approach to dietary guidelines. 

The SMHP firmly believes that healthcare professionals, including physicians and dietitians, deserve access to impartial resources untainted by corporate interests. To address this need, the Society of Metabolic Health Practitioners offers a steadfast alternative. 

With an unwavering commitment to scientific integrity, the SMHP provides a comprehensive platform for professionals seeking trustworthy, evidence-based guidance in the realm of metabolic health. Dr. Tro Kalayjian, a board-certified obesity physician who sits on the board of the SMHP, states, “We are concerned about the influence the food industry has on nutritional recommendations as well as practice guidelines from medical organizations and advocacy groups. At the SMHP, our goal is to make sure our guidelines are data and science-driven, putting patients before corporate profits.”

In contrast to alleged financial ties between the ADA and the processed food industry, the Society of Metabolic Health Practitioners is dedicated to maintaining its independence. By fostering an environment of unbiased research and collaboration, the SMHP serves as a beacon for healthcare professionals striving to enhance patient outcomes through nutrition. SMHP board member, Dr. Laura Buchanan, emphasizes that “type two diabetes is a nutritional disease. It is indecent of the ADA to solicit funds from the processed food corporations that have obtained record profits and played a central role in the monumental worsening of the type two diabetes epidemic.”

To support healthcare providers in making informed dietary decisions for their patients, the SMHP offers a wealth of resources, including research-driven publications, expert-led seminars, and a robust network of professionals dedicated to advancing metabolic health practices.

Dr. Mark Cucuzzella, a professor at West Virginia University School of Medicine, shares his thoughts:” I work in one of the poorest states where people have a difficult time affording food and this impacts the risk of type two diabetes. It is sad that the American Diabetes Association is promoting products that have no nutritional value but yet extract cost from citizens who cannot afford healthy food.”

The Society of Metabolic Health Practitioners invites physicians and dietitians alike to explore an alternative approach—one that places the health and well-being of patients at the forefront. For more information on the SMHP’s mission, resources, and membership opportunities, visit thesmhp.org.