When you read an article or study, do you just read what is printed in normal type? Or do you dig in and search through the references that many better-written papers will have? Do you validate the references and studies? If not, you’re just taking someone else’s word for what is said. That may be fine if all is accurate and true. But if not . . . .you may become convinced of something that has nothing or too little based in truth.
And when it comes to healing, there is nothing more important than the truth!
There are so many articles and studies out there on so many different topics and sometimes it’s hard to know what is right and true and what is false or even fabricated. When it comes down to it, one may not be able to determine that clearly.
What helps is finding as many sources as possible that agree with others sufficiently to leave you convinced. Sometimes, even that may not be enough. There have been many studies where those doing the research have an agenda or were sponsored by a company or foundation to find an answer in their favor. You can’t always know. But when comparing many sources (that don’t all stem from the same flawed or paid study), you can generally get at the truth.
How do you know then that what you are currently reading is factual? You may need to compare to other “reputable” sources. I’m not talking about getting information on meat for example from a vegan source as this is most commonly biased. The opposite can also hold true. But find objective sources from those who really don’t care other than to put out accurate information. Occasionally, you might find something, an unusual or even commonly covered topic that many have it wrong. (I can think of several examples) Or you may find one or two who have the right information but few listen due to what the majority says about it.
What you may find works best, is to stick more with articles that have references, citations, and quotes with referenced authors or studies. Using government studies can be better but even many of those have been flawed or misleading as well. Studies from universities can also be good – or as skewed as others and are sometimes funded by outside companies or agencies who themselves have an agenda (often tied to the elite, where big money says it’s true). As the saying goes, “follow the money.”
When you read an article see if it has citations or references credited to reputable sources.
Here’s an example of what I am talking about and I get this a lot from finicky folks. “Well is it Peer-Reviewed? Because if it’s not, then it just can’t be trusted.” Some of the most accurate data I’ve read has come from regular people who’ve done so much research the truth can’t help but be seen in their work. This article on Peer-Reviewed studies has a few statements I found to help.
Science today, in all fields, is plagued by corruption. Yet, more often than not, attempts to create awareness about scientific fraud — an issue that few journalists have been willing to address — are met with the response, “Well, is it peer-reviewed?”
Although good science should always be reviewed, using this label as a form of credibility can be dangerous, causing people to dismiss new information and research instantaneously if it doesn’t have it, particularly when that information counters long-held beliefs ingrained into human consciousness via mass marketing, education, and more.
Collective Evolution, Arlun Walia/ March 1, 2017
Studies have been found on vitamin D, sugar, saturated fat, cholesterol, carbohydrates, meat, organic vs. non-organic, and so on that have been done with someone’s money directing the outcome of results. Big Sugar put one over on the world back in the 60s/70s, which led to even most doctors being ignorant of the facts when it comes to cholesterol and is still telling people to avoid fats and meat when nothing has ever been proven to be damaging in studies that weren’t funded by big money.
Dr. Richard Horton, the current Editor-in-Chief of The Lancet, says,
“The case against science is straightforward: much of the scientific literature, perhaps half, may simply be untrue.”
http://www.thelancet.comVol 385 April 11, 2015
Here’s another quote,
Dr. Marcia Angell, a physician and longtime Editor-in-Chief of the New England Medical Journal (NEMJ), also considered one of the most prestigious peer-reviewed medical journals in the world, said,
“it is simply no longer possible to believe much of the clinical research that is published, or to rely on the judgment of trusted physicians or authoritative medical guidelines. I take no pleasure in this conclusion, which I reached slowly and reluctantly over my two decades as an editor of The New England Journal of Medicine.”
PLoS Med. 2010 Oct; 7(10): e1000355.
Published online 2010 Oct 26. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1000355
And this,
“The medical profession is being bought by the pharmaceutical industry, not only in terms of the practice of medicine, but also in terms of teaching and research. The academic institutions of this country are allowing themselves to be the paid agents of the pharmaceutical industry. I think it’s disgraceful.”
Arnold Seymour Relman (1923-2014), Harvard professor of medicine and former Editor-in-Chief of The New England Medical Journal /https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1126053/#ref15
So as you can see even among some of the top researchers and physicians, much doubt has been brought by those seeking money and power when it comes to the truth being stated and exposed, regarding food and nutrition science. If someone is getting paid to express their opinion, you can believe it is possible some if not all the information may be false.
When you read something, if you need it to be factual, see what references, citations, and supporting evidence is provided. Read everything you can find on the subject. Don’t stop at what you find on the internet. The local Library has lots of information on many topics. The Library of Congress has practically every copyrighted published book ever written. There are hundreds of thousands of topics found on the internet, some good, so not so but you can generally find what you need. When you get one supported by many sources, find some more. Sometimes the majority is not correct. But at least be diligent to look at all you can find, see what supports what, and if convinced, don’t be afraid to share that. But when you do, you might also want to give some evidence to back it up.
This investigative journalist/nutritionist will always seek the whole truth.
Commentary
Written by Douglas K. Johnson – Life, Health and Wellness Coach, Herbalist, Nutritionist, Investigative Journalist, and Author
Naturally Better Bones 