Thank you for doing more research about NuSI. This page seeks to briefly answer the most common questions about the Nutrition Science Initiative and this very complex issue.
What should I eat?
NuSI does not provide dietary recommendations at this time. Rather, NuSI works to answer with scientific certainty – and through the best possible research – what we should eat. NuSI is also dedicated to communicating with the public the findings of its research programs, so we may all know the answer to this question. This information will be disseminated on the NuSI website as it becomes available.
Can I volunteer to be a test subject?
NuSI will not select test subjects for research programs. As our teams of independent scientists design their studies, they will use novel recruiting tools to select the best possible candidates in order to find accurate answers. If an opportunity for study participation becomes available, information will be listed on the NuSI website.
How can I get involved?
There are multiple opportunities to support the mission of NuSI. Please visit Sign Up to submit your contact information, and we will contact you with opportunities to join our team. For those interested in supporting NuSI financially, please visit Donate.
Is your Scientific Advisory Board limited to only current members?
No. Our Scientific Advisory Board is comprised of influential researchers who wholeheartedly support NuSI’s mission and volunteered to guide us in our mission of funding the best possible science in nutrition. We will continue to add leaders as opportunities arise.
Do the scientists on your Scientific Advisory Board perform the experiments?
No. NuSI’s Scientific Advisory Board provides advisory input on our research funding and strategy. NuSI-funded research is performed by independent researchers across the country.
What is the role of NuSI’s Board of Advisors?
Our Board of Advisors is comprised of leaders in various fields who all share our passion and belief: to date nutrition science has been inadequate in drawing conclusions and making sound recommendations, and the risk of “staying the course” is too great. Our Board of Advisors provides strategic guidance and plays a significant role in our fundraising efforts.
Are NuSI’s efforts limited to the United States?
Currently, yes. But, we believe the answers NuSI will provide will improve the quality of life for people everywhere. We expect to collaborate with scientists and clinicians around the world to ensure we perform the best possible research, and we welcome leaders from around the world to help us expand our scientific borders and enlist public support internationally. If you would like to be notified of NuSI’s international efforts, please use the Sign Up resource to receive alerts.
How does NuSI receive its funding?
NuSI is funded by private citizens and other nonprofit organizations.
What types of studies will NuSI be doing?
NuSI does not perform research, per se. Instead, NuSI collaborates with independent researchers across the country after facilitating lengthy screening processes on their research. Like any innovative approach, we are still putting our research plans in place. As we continue to move forward, the information will be publicly available on our website. Transparency is extremely important to us.
Don’t we already know what makes people obese?
It would seem obvious, but it’s not. For the past century there have been two competing explanations — one is that we get fat merely because we consume more calories than we expend. The other is that obesity is a hormonal and/or biochemical problem, triggered by our dietary choices, which causes us to eat more than we expend. The end results are the same – namely, the overweight people must necessarily consume more energy than they expend – but the cause is actually different. Many assume that the first explanation has to be true and that the only meaningful advice to give people to lose weight is to eat less and exercise more. There is significant evidence, though, that the latter explanation might be the correct one and that our understanding of the cause, cure and prevention of obesity needs to change significantly. NuSI will support science to address these two hypotheses and do what is necessary to unequivocally establish the truth.
Is obesity the only type of research NuSI will be funding?
No. NuSI’s mission is to not only reduce the social and economic toll of obesity, but also its related diseases, linked through the broader condition known as metabolic syndrome. These diseases, in addition to obesity, include type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and cancer. NuSI’s funding will focus on studies that determine, with the highest scientific rigor, how dietary factors impact these diseases.
How long will it take for NuSI to achieve its goal?
In short, as long as it takes to get the right answer. We foresee multiple years of studies ahead of us, but we may have some hard answers that change how we think about the nature of a healthy diet within a few years.
Is NuSI hiring?
NuSI maintains a current job board. Please visit Join Our Team to view a complete list of current positions with our team.
Will NuSI fund my study?
NuSI accepts national and international funding proposals. To learn more about eligibility requirements and selection criteria please visit the Extramural Funding Process portion of our website.
