Non-Profit Catches Low-Carb Consumers Attention

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 CarbaWare.