The Doctors television show hopes to supply viewers with critical information to make informed and intelligent health care decisions.

But can the program, which is hosted by former Bachelor reality TV star Dr. Travis Stork and features three other telegenic professionals, really be considered a serious authority if it all too frequently promotes the latest diet trends, health fads and bogus medical claims?

Not a chance. The Doctors often blurs the lines between fact and sensationalism in order to fulfill its real mission: attracting television viewers. Celebrity and glamour, not facts, is what theyre after. No wonder the boring but essential truth rarely comes to light.

For example, their record on fish advice is dismal (see here, here, here and here). Their latest missteps happened during their Dallas episode. Yes, the episode where the medical doctors are all dressed up in cowboy costumes while discussing serious nutrition advice.

Travis Stork: ” . . . predatory fish . . . do have higher levels of mercury, and you have eat that in moderation. You really don’t want to go over it a few times a month. And certainly if you’re eating it a lot, and you develop any bizarre neurological symptoms, you should get your mercury levels tested.”

Andrew Ordon: “Rule of thumb, the bigger the fish, the more likely to have mercury. That’s important with kids and pregnant women.”

Lisa Masterson: “Especially pregnant women.”

James Sears: “Especially young kids. Any fish that eats a lot of fish is going to be high in mercury.”

A couple of facts The Doctors failed to mention:

1) Methylmercury is a naturally occurring element present in trace amounts in all fish.

2) There has never been a case of mercury poisoning from the normal consumption of seafood recorded in any peer review medical journal in the United States.

3) The USDAs Dietary Guidelines for Americans urge people to double the amount of fish they currently eat from about 3.5 ounces per week to 8 ounces.

4) Seafood like canned tuna is a rich source of essential nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids that accelerate brain development infancy and help prevent heart disease later in life. Moreover, medical experts agree that any risk associated with eating seafood is far outweighed by the benefits.

Why doesnt The Doctors report this good news instead of spreading outdated, unfounded doubts? Perhaps it has something to do with the business of television ratings. TV tells stories, and stories depend on tension manufactured or otherwise to hold the attention of the audience. Perhaps to say there is no reason to be concerned about mercury in seafood simply isnt a sufficiently compelling story for afternoon TV.

Wed like to suggest an alternative storyline: there is a very real public health crisis in America because people dont have enough seafood in their diet and those who would discourage Americans from eating more fish are responsible for tens of thousands of preventable deaths in this country each year. Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, professor of medicine and epidemiology at Harvard Medical School and the Harvard School of Public Health told Time Magazine (the magazine describes him as co-author of one of the most comprehensive studies to date on the impact of fish consumption on human health), “I know I sound like I’m trying to downplay the risk but I really think we are experimenting with people’s lives when we give recommendations or write stories or reports that make people eat less fish.

That has all the elements of a gripping story tension, urgency, heroes, villains and loved ones at risk of untimely death. It also has the added benefit of being true. Hopefully Hollywood producers will jump on this surefire formula for afternoon TV success.