Belly Monster Blog

Astonishing health claims abound on the Internet. Every supplement has it’s own following of promoters who claim their pet product will cure every illness known to man. We’ll be looking at some of the claims in other posts but I think you would agree that the marketplace is cluttered with outlandish claims that are hard to evaluate.

How should the consumer evaluate those claims? Why should you spend your money on expensive products which may, or may not, really help? Here’s a list of 10 ideas to help you evaluate the claims. As always consult your physician before making any changes in your health routines.

1. Build a relationship with your own physician.

Few people enjoy going to the doctor. But it is important to develop a relationship with a physician before you need one. If you cannot fully trust your MD - find another one. Trust is a critical part of the doctor/patient relationship. Don’t be afraid to ask your doctor about the claims made by products. They likely can offer solid advice tailored to your specific needs.

2. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true…it’s probably not.

Wise consumers use the “smell test” everyday.  If a product promises the world, ask yourself why it’s been a secret for so long. And if it is as good as claimed, why is it being sold by an unheard of salesman. It pays to be skeptical.

Many years ago a common mouthwash product claimed to work wonders not only for your breathe but also for your scalp and hair! Common sense should tell us that a mouthwash probably won’t help dry skin.

3. Avoid products that make incredible claims.

Scientific studies do not usually use words like “greatest,” “groundbreaking” or “best.” Instead, serious research tends to be very focused and very cautious in their claims and conclusions. You will also notice that solid scientific work will usually use the scientific name of the product being tested - not the brand name.

A few years ago I heard a certain health practitioner claim that he could cure cancer through his process. I was stunned! I also walked out the door.

4. Look for signs of bias.

All of us are biased about some things. But in the realm of health care it pays to watch for signs of bias in the reporting of new drugs or supplements. A claim for a new homeopathic preparation that is found in a magazine which focuses on homeopathic medicine should be viewed with suspicion. This is especially true if you cannot find the claim reported in a non-homeopathic publication. And remember, an advertisement is not the same as reporting. If you read the claim in an advertisement there is an excellent chance it has been grossly overstated.

5. Look for quality scientific research on the subject.

You don’t have to be a medical doctor to understand basic research documentation. With the Internet at your fingertips a wealth of information is available for your examination. What you want is research done at an academic institution not affiliated with the sales of the product. You want a study that is double-blind and that includes a large number of participants. A study that has been published in a major scientific journal is especially credible. Most of the time you can learn all you need to know from the abstract of the study; a one or two summary of what was done and the conclusions reached.

When researching health claims, deliberately search for opposing or contradictory information. Study both views and reach a conclusion based upon the quality of the total picture.

6. Place reasonable confidence in well known scientific organizations.

Some people are skeptical of governmental and professional organizations. But they do have an interest in promoting products that help their patients. Be aware of rivalries between groups but these organizations are a useful tool for screening health claims. Major news media outlets are not necessarily good sources of information. Reporters are often trained as journalists and not as scientist and often do not fully understand the stories they are reporting. Follow up and do your own investigation.

7. Conduct your own individualized research.

Some health claims can be easily tested while others cannot. For example, if an herb promises you a better night’s sleep, try it for a week and test the results. How long did you sleep? Did you awaken easily during the night? Do you feel rested? Did you feel drowsy or hung over the next morning? These are all very subjective but certainly acceptable for you to make a decision if a product is worth your cash.

8. Accept that you cannot test some claims.

An elderly woman was given a new medication to strengthen her bones and fight osteoporosis. She stopped taking the drug two weeks later because she didn’t feel any different. The truth was the medicine was working to restore density to her bones. Never stop taking prescription medicines until you discuss it with your trusted physician.

9. Use extreme caution on the Internet.

The Internet has changed the way we view the world. Unbelievable amounts of information are available to anyone wishing to spend a little time looking. Search engines bring it all to our screens in less than a second. However, those search engines cannot tell the difference between quality and junk. Remember, anyone can put up a web page. The Internet is unregulated and must be viewed carefully and with skepticism.

10. Is the web site kept up-to-date?

Reputable articles will always be clearly dated. Advances in science come quickly and a site that hans’t been updated in a year is almost certainly incomplete. On the other hand, brand new information may not have been fully vetted by others in the scientific community so look for material that is somewhere in the middle like 3 - 6 months old.

Your health is too precious to treat lightly. Apply good basic health principles, consult often with your physician and make them a partner in improving your health. With a little common sense you can avoid wasting your money on empty claims made by advertising hucksters.

For more, indepth information visit the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Posted on September 4th, 2008 under Fiber, General Health, Nutrition, Product Claims, Product Reviews • Tags: advertising, health claims, science. • RSS 2.0 feed • Leave a response, or trackback