On bias in medical research; reflections on present salt-cholesterol controversies

Abstract

A common form of biased reporting is to avoid quoting evidence that contradicts the authors’ interpretation of scientific data. Against this background the recommendations by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies of USA (IOM) regarding a population-based policy of salt restriction have been reviewed. It is suggested that the recommendations may not be valid since some important evidence has not been included in the IOM analysis.

Key words::

• Salt
• Salt restriction
• biased reporting
• cholesterol
• medical controversies

Declaration of interest: The author reports no conflicts of interest. The author alone is responsible for the content and writing of the paper.