I’m sure many of you are familiar with Jillian Michaels, better known as a personal trainer who appears on the NBC Television program The Biggest Loser. As it turns out, Michaels has quite a following of her own on Facebook, and she recently told her fans that she was cutting down on tuna after tests revealed elevated levels of mercury in her blood.

Upon reading this questionable posting we did a little research and then put out a media advisory that notes Michaels is far from being an unimpeachable source on health and nutrition, in fact shes been sued four times this year in connection with her endorsement of nutritional supplements. A pair of nutrition experts interviewed by ABC.com said that while the supplements probably aren’t harmful, it’s clear that they don’t work. One even went so far to call one of the supplements “bogus” and “an absurdity.”

Jennifer McGuire MS RD, said Jillian should have had her omega-3 levels tested instead. According to a study from Harvard researchers, 84,000 Americans die each year because they dont get enough of the omega-3s found in fish. Thats the real danger to public health, not mercury.

After looking at her Web site, we can’t find any evidence that Michaels has any professional medical or nutritional training. The best way to get the nutrients you need and maintain a healthy weight is eating whole foods, not supplements, and there isnt any dietitian who would disagree. If you want the best information on nutrition, turn off your television and talk to your personal physician or a registered dietitian instead, said McGuire.