Being able to separate the credible from the hype is key to understanding what the latest medical research means for your health. When you're reading, watching, or listening to a medical news story, look for the following criteria:
Original studies: A medical news story should tell you who did the research, when it was done, and where the research was published or presented. Stories that don't say where the research comes from should be questioned.
Rigorous research: Pay attention to the details of how the study was done. Were many people involved (hundreds or more) or just a few? Was it a human study or one done on animals? Was there a control or placebo group? How long was the study period? Who funded the research?
Balanced information: Oversimplified or one-sided stories often leave out key facts. There's often far more to the story than is presented in a short broadcast or news article.
Multiple sources: Count the number of experts quoted in the article. There should be several experts quoted, and ideally, ones with different perspectives on what the research means.
Related studies: One study taken alone does not provide the complete picture. Ideally, the article should mention past studies done on the topic and explain how the current study fits into the big picture.
Legitimate reporting: Who wrote the article, and where does it appear? Is it from a recognized news source or someone's personal Web page? Is it really an advertisement disguised as news? Question if the writer is pushing a hidden agenda.
Remember, you can't believe everything you hear or read. If something sounds too good to be true — such as a promise that you can lose weight without changing how you eat or how much you exercise, that one particular food is the answer to weight loss, or that a pill can replace a healthy lifestyle — it probably is.
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