I am a strong supporter of real science: rigorous enquiry by an unbiased mind. But that is rarely what we get. Especially around questions of health, where it matters most.
To begin with, a huge number of valid scientific reports never see the light of day. The scientists who produce them are bound by confidentiality agreements with their sponsors. If they break that confidentiality, no more work for them. An effective way of silencing anything the sponsors don't want us to hear.
Of the reports we do get to see, "published" (even in respected journals) does not necessarily mean "proven". Sometimes, it later turns out that the data was forged. More often, under closer scrutiny, the methods used or the interpretations deduced turn out to be flawed. By the time that is discovered, the damage has been done and another medical myth is in circulation.
Quite a few supposedly scientific reports do nothing but perpetuate those myths. These are the ones for which no new research is done. They simply rehash all the existing reports on the same topic. Without validating them.
The scientists are not entirely to blame. Much of the distortion is introduced when the media gets the stories. The days are sadly gone when journalists dug deeper. Most times, they just write up more or less the same words given to them in the press release. Have you noticed how reports in "rival" newspapers are often almost word-for-word identical? And the hunger for headlines often leads to the wrong bight being presented, so it ends up nothing like what the scientists originally intended.
But here's the real problem. Who has the time, or the knowledge, to even scrape below the surface of these reports, let alone unravel the truth that usually remains deeply hidden?
Most of us can't, can we? Fortunately, there are people we can trust who do it for us. Here are just two that I personally find to be impeccably worthy champions of truth when it comes to interpreting medical research.
Jon Barron has been a fearless researcher for over forty years. His Baseline Of Health website is a goldmine of carefully validated information on just about every health issue you can think of. He doesn't just tell you what's wrong with much of the published research. He explains why it's wrong, in detail, so you can decide for yourself. Check out his website, get his free book, sign up for his newsletter ... you'll be glad you did.
Shawn Stevenson battled his own route to vibrant heath from heavily serious illness. He has gone on to become a highly qualified nutrition expert who pursues his quest with a passion: to bring you the real deal on healthy fitness. Check out the free videos and podcasts on his website. And his books are worth their weight in gold.
To your good health!
To begin with, a huge number of valid scientific reports never see the light of day. The scientists who produce them are bound by confidentiality agreements with their sponsors. If they break that confidentiality, no more work for them. An effective way of silencing anything the sponsors don't want us to hear.
Of the reports we do get to see, "published" (even in respected journals) does not necessarily mean "proven". Sometimes, it later turns out that the data was forged. More often, under closer scrutiny, the methods used or the interpretations deduced turn out to be flawed. By the time that is discovered, the damage has been done and another medical myth is in circulation.
Quite a few supposedly scientific reports do nothing but perpetuate those myths. These are the ones for which no new research is done. They simply rehash all the existing reports on the same topic. Without validating them.
The scientists are not entirely to blame. Much of the distortion is introduced when the media gets the stories. The days are sadly gone when journalists dug deeper. Most times, they just write up more or less the same words given to them in the press release. Have you noticed how reports in "rival" newspapers are often almost word-for-word identical? And the hunger for headlines often leads to the wrong bight being presented, so it ends up nothing like what the scientists originally intended.
But here's the real problem. Who has the time, or the knowledge, to even scrape below the surface of these reports, let alone unravel the truth that usually remains deeply hidden?
Most of us can't, can we? Fortunately, there are people we can trust who do it for us. Here are just two that I personally find to be impeccably worthy champions of truth when it comes to interpreting medical research.
Shawn Stevenson battled his own route to vibrant heath from heavily serious illness. He has gone on to become a highly qualified nutrition expert who pursues his quest with a passion: to bring you the real deal on healthy fitness. Check out the free videos and podcasts on his website. And his books are worth their weight in gold.
To your good health!