Scientists say they are seeing the public’s growing interest in nutrition and health being capitalized upon by marketers of fad diets, unproven therapies and products, many being sold in the guise of "alternative medicine" or "complimentary therapies."

How can consumers, and even health professionals, tell the difference between the realities of food science and the myths? For example, several popular diets recommend losing weight by avoiding sugar and complex carbohydrate foods like pasta in order to lower levels of blood sugar and insulin.

In a 10 a.m. session today, Complex Carbohydrate Foods in Healthy Eating: Setting the Record Straight, speakers dispelled myths and explained the roles complex carbohydrates and insulin actually play in weight control in healthy people. Stanford University research dietitian Ann Coulston, 1998-99 president of The American Dietetic Association, translated scientific findings into practical advice for consumers.