Problem is best practice is defined by what area you want to look into.. So much is conflicting.
At the end of the day its like religion... And especially if you are in it for the sports side it comes down to more anecdotal evidence then double blind placebo studies...
At the end of the day look at why you are doing something, also if louis simmons was to give you advice on lifting and eating would you take it... Or go to the guy with the Phd in sports science and nutrition?
That is true. There is conflicting evidence with almost every study released. Got to make your own decisions based of it.
I'd say that actual evidence is always more reliable than anecdotal evidence. If a study was done on a new tree root that increased muscle mass, when done under double blind situations, there was no effect on the body over the placebo and/or proven drug that increases muscle mass. But anecdotal evidence said it was effective. I wouldn't buy, nor recommend that product. A lot of stuff that bodybuilders/powerlifters apparently do (I say apparently because there is a lot of bullshit around supplements as admitting steroid use is a no no) is not something that is done within other fitness circles (professional athletes, football players etc.) due to lack of evidence.
There is little evidence around many supplements because there is a lack of funding for research. The research that is done, is generally funded by the company that makes the supplement, or by people with dubious accreditation (a lot of 'research' on bodybuilding.com for example).
In regards to Louis or a PhD. I'd take the advice of someone who can either back it up with evidence, or if there is none available, anecdotal unbiased evidence (sponsorships for example, I'll not take that as a reliable source lol).
But hey, I'm scrawny as a stick. I can't back any nutritional advice up with experience. That's why I rely on academic research when possible. It's also why I avoid most supplements. It's also hard to disprove someone when they say "I take x and I got huge" because we can never test if they would have stayed small without it. So unless the product is a total scam, if someone is happy to pay and feels like they get benefits. Then go for it.
