Can We Trust Health Information on the Internet?

On a daily basis , I receive many emails that relate to health and wellness issues . Many tout the last great weight loss supplements and herbal remedies to treat a particular condition , most current trends in training, the list is endless .

Do I need this information at face value ? Not at all . Surfed the Internet for about 14 years, and I've learned that does not negate what I have read can lead to evil, as the purchase of a large health benefits , only to find it was a waste of money promoting.

How can we , as consumers, who are the real experts? What gives them the power to be an expert in the health / wellness ? How can we plow the hype and empty promises that are found , and we can trust ? Also, if you have been diagnosed with a disease , and the questions we want answered , how we can find the correct and current responses , rather than the updated information and worse , scams that prey on our vulnerability ?

These are the keys to becoming an informed consumer of health:

• Consider the source of health information . My best resource for topics of health and wellness are not websites - commercial . Are the sites linked to government agencies, universities , hospitals, public / health advocacy and professional health organizations . The information provided by these organizations have been collected from the peer-reviewed research.

• Reliable Sites use the current information being - a reliable source of health information and regularly review articles are updated and documented your facts with citations and sources.

• The untrusted sources are those that are based on evidence and not on medical facts. Sites trying to sell something based on evidence, hype and biased opinions . They try to make money by convincing consumers to buy what their paid advertisers are selling.

• Read the "About " that will tell you if the site has an editorial committee that the item before it is displayed under review. Look for contact information on the site. If you can not understand who runs the site is a big warning flag for the consumer. You should be able to email them with your questions or concerns about the site.

• Read the privacy statements of Web sites. If you provide a website with personal information, you can know exactly how personal information will be used. For websites for profit can sell your information to databases that can load your box email spam received .

Skepticism has its place when searching the Internet , especially when it comes to our own health , one of the most important assets of our lives. It is up to us to take care of our health and wellness as we age , and take the time to become an informed consumer of health can help do just that.

While research on the internet to get general information about a disease , condition, diet program , and so on, is a good idea , does not take the place of your doctor 's attention . You may find that your research leads to questions or concerns that require consultation with your doctor.