This Is Guernsey

By Aimee Le Cocq

HEALTHSPAN is misleading its customers, according to a UK dietician. The company is promoting an online dietary questionnaire that claims to give tailored nutritional advice. But according to Catherine Collins of the British Dietetic Association, people might as well toss a coin.

‘What they are trying to interpret does not work for individuals,’ she said. ‘It’s a woolly area. The Healthspan questionnaire implies it is researched, but it’s based on population studies.  It’s a bit of a scam to make you think that you need these supplements. People are going to be exploited. I have no problem with Healthspan’s manufacturing quality. There is no dispute about that, but the issue is: do people know what they are taking and why they are taking it?’

A Healthspan spokesman said NutriProfile aimed to provide general information and recommendations on health and nutrition.

‘Information on NutriProfile does not constitute medical advice tailored to an individual’s specific medical or health requirements. Recommendations on diet and lifestyle in the NutriProfile are scientifically validated and drawn from Department of Health data. Additional information is provided on supplements that people may wish to consider. However, users are under no obligation to consider the use of, or purchase, supplements from the site.’