The internet, magazines, TV; it seems like everywhere you look, there’s a new treatment, product or diet which promises to improve your health, cure you, or help you lose weight.
Celebrities, our families, and even neighbors seem to have an opinion on what’s best, and want to offer us advice, whether we ask for it or not. With so much information available, it is difficult to separate the good advice from the bad. Here’s a simple checklist to help you evaluate the quality of the advice you might receive:
1. First and foremost, each person is unique and has an individual health history. Current health condition, medications, age, activity level, and risk for future disease all have a major impact on whether a new treatment is healthy or harmful. A certain diet or treatment which worked for one person, may not be appropriate for everyone. An example of this is the gluten-free diet. While extremely important for someone with celiac disease to follow, this diet is often less healthy for those who don’t have it. Before choosing to start something new, consider how it may affect all of your health conditions.
2. Does it sound too good to be true? It probably is. Anything that promises a quick fix or a miracle cure deserves a raised eyebrow. Advertisements are designed to tell the customer what they want to hear, and there are think-tanks full of advertising gurus out there, who put commercials together as carefully as jigsaw puzzles. Buyer beware!
3. Is the advice supported by quality evidence? There are many different factors that impact the quality of research: Study design, number of people in the study, length of the study, and whether or not the results could be replicated. One new study is seldom enough to change recommendations. If the advice you are given is based on only one study, probably best to wait until more research is done before making a change.
4. What is the personal cost? Does it involve spending a lot of money on specialty foods or supplements? Does it involve following an extremely restrictive diet or advise cutting out entire food groups? If this is the case, you might want to consider whether or not it’s worth it.
5. Does it involve stopping a current treatment, or conflict with the advice from your physician or other trusted health care providers? Health care providers work very hard to make sure their recommendations are based on the best quality evidence available and tailored specifically to your treatment needs. If you have concerns about one of your current treatments, most health care providers would be happy to explain it better or help you find a safe alternative.
If any of these points apply to the advice you’re receiving, it should be a red flag. If you are still unsure you may want to do some further research, and discuss it with your health care provider at your next appointment.
For more information about any of the free services offered by the Minto-Mapleton Family Health Team, visit www.mmfht.ca or call the Drayton office at 519-638-2110 or Clifford office at 519-327-4777. Like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter (@MintoMapleton) for healthy living tips and information on area programs and events.
Maggie Armstrong, is a Registered Dietitian with the East Wellington Family Health Team.
