When even federal guidance sparks debate, an expert advises pharmacists to consider the source and point patients to long-standing healthful eating.
In an interview with Pharmacy Times for the National Lipid Association’s (NLA) 2026 Fall Clinical Lipid Update, Carol F. Kirkpatrick, PhD, MPH, RDN, FNLA, director of the Idaho State University (ISU) Wellness Center and a clinical associate professor in the Kasiska Division of Health Sciences (KDHS), explained how pharmacists can counsel patients amid conflicting dietary advice. The discussion centers on her presentation at the NLA Clinical Lipid Update, which focused on the
When a patient raises a question, especially after a major headline, Kirkpatrick recommended starting by understanding why they are asking. That context should come before discussing the totality of the evidence. Kirkpatrick acknowledged that keeping up with the nutrition literature is difficult, but she said pharmacists and other health care professionals should know reputable sources so they can provide credible, valid information. The familiar rule—if it sounds too good to be true, it is—still applies, she said, but the task becomes harder when messaging comes from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which are supposed to reflect what the government considers healthy.
Using beef tallow as an example, Kirkpatrick explained that evidence shows it is less beneficial than plant-based oil. That does not mean patients can never use beef tallow or butter, but plant-based oils and foods known to promote health should be the far more frequent choice. She advised pharmacists to encourage patients to ask questions and to work with their physician or other health care provider.
For specific nutrition questions, patients can be referred to a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). Kirkpatrick recognized that pharmacists may have limited time for these conversations and said referral is appropriate when time is short. Above all, she encouraged pharmacists to focus patients on healthful eating that aligns with other organizations and the dietary guidelines: less processed foods and more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Those long-standing recommendations, she said, continue to have strong supporting evidence and represent a healthy way of eating for anyone.
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