It appears that almost everyday we hear something new on the news about what we should eat or not eat, how much we should exercise, should we detox or not detox. These are just a few of the things that seem to change constantly when it comes to research on what creates a healthy lifestyle. All of the news can be confusing and make you want to give up on living a healthier life. However, we know that some of the health and lifestyle information out there is quite beneficial, but how do we know what’s worth listening to and what we can toss away?
Here are a few ways you can tell fact from fiction when it comes to health and fitness claims:
It Sounds Too Good To Be True
There are health and fitness claims that are just too good to be true. Claims that tell you that you can drop those extra 20 lbs in four days, get rid of your acne problem in just a couple of days with one cream, or lose belly fat in a week. These all sound fantastic, but that is a part of the problem. They sound too fantastic to be true, and you can bet your last dollar that they are. Weight loss, especially healthy weight loss, takes time and consistent exercise and eating right.
Is the Claim Based on Independent Study?
Independent study is when a research company who is not linked in any way to the product, does their own study to see if the claims are true. They have no reason to lie because they have nothing to gain. Just recently an athletic shoe was introduced into the market caiming to give you perfectly fit legs just by wearing the shoe. The shoes even became a favorite among many celebrities, but the Exercise and Health program at the University of Wisconsin performed an independent study and proved that the manufacturers claims were false.
When considering a new product or program, do your own research on the product, find out who is paying for the product or sponsoring the product and you will know who has something to gain from making false claims.
Who Are the Research Participants?
If a research study chooses a specific group of people to participate, the study may be tainted because the pill, program, exercise, may work well for a group of 20 somethings, but what about the 40 somethings? Will this work well for those who fall outside of the demographic of the study? This is a form of research you can’t always trust, particularly if the product was suposedly made for the majority of people, all ages.