I go with what the PhDs doing the on-the-ground weight-loss studies say, not the anecdote of some person on the internet who's read a book or two.
Programmers hate it when people question them, you'd think they'd extend the same professional courtesy and benefit of the doubt to other academic and professional disciplines.
It is entirely possible there is a well-understood theory with masses of supporting evidence that for whatever reason the public don't think is sexy enough to be true. This is the problem with evolution for example, where there is the data behind it but the US public still think its controversial.
Note: If Person A provides a book reference (secondary evidence) and Person B provides no specific reference (no evidence) then I am biased towards Person A. If Person B could provide a reference to some research (primary evidence) then I am biased towards Person B. If Person B ends with some general slur against my profession after someone asks for a reference, Person B loses the bias.
Programmers hate it when people question them, you'd think they'd extend the same professional courtesy and benefit of the doubt to other academic and professional disciplines.