article about false health studies

[Monster2]

I thought this article was very interesting. Not on does it tell you about false studies, but it also explains why.
In a country where medicine is almost owned by the pharmaceutical industry, it's nice to see that many studies are being questioned. One thing that really bothers me is that doctors will almost always prescribe the newest and most expensive drug rather that something older, and perhaps more useful. Sometimes, even when a non prescription drug or even home remedy would be just as effective.
But, this also applies to nutritional studies and general health information as well, such as sales of Vitamin D (see article)

 

[Tik]

What a fantastic article. They make a lot of great points, but I think that they should have stressed that people still shouldn't think that all medical research is faulty.

The point of research is never to confirm a hypothesis, but yet fail to reject it. In a way, we can never know the truth, but we can know if it's not the truth. I think a lot of medical research seeks to claim that "x can prevent/cause y", when in reality we might not know if the results are truly because of "x" or potentially because of some unknown factor that we've yet to consider.

The article makes a fantastic point:

“But negative trials took an extra two to four years to be published,” he noticed. “Negative results sit in a file drawer, or the trial keeps going in hopes the results turn positive.” With billions of dollars on the line, companies are loath to declare a new drug ineffective.

Very few statistically unsignificant findings are published. I think this is even more present when there's private funding, like that from pharmaceutical organizations. They don't want to invest money into drug research, to find that it doesn't work...it seems like there's a lot of room for bias, and conflicting investments. Additionally, when we see physicans/practitioners working with pharmaceutical reps, there's a chance for them to cross the line. In my work I have seen physicians prescribe drugs on the bases of a "test trial". The aware the patient about the new drug to meet ethical standards, but they push it because they're receiving money from the company. It's very political.

I think it's really important for people to know what to look for with research. Often new and exciting research is promoted through the media, and they don't give the whole picture. Being informed of what you take, and what you're reading is crucial!

Thank you for the wonderful article- and I'm sorry for totally going off on a tangent

 

[Monster2]

ARRGH! I just wrote a nice long response to your post, but ... it disappeared... sigh..
Nice writing, btw.
But seriously.... DOCTORS AREN'T SUPPOSED TO RECEIVE MONEY FROM PRESCRIBING PHARMACEUTICALS!!!! PERIOD.
I found that quite disturbing. Could you please explain that somehow?
...
I just found this article saying why some carbs are good for you.
Yeah... it's very difficult for the average person to be able to filter out what's good research and what's crap.

 

[Tik]

ARRGH!
But seriously.... DOCTORS AREN'T SUPPOSED TO RECEIVE MONEY FROM PRESCRIBING PHARMACEUTICALS!!!! PERIOD.
I found that quite disturbing. Could you please explain that somehow?
...[/URL]

hehehe...yes scary! I can not speak to how things work in the states, but I can in Canada. I should also clarify that the doctors are not receiving money for their own pockets- this is unethical and not condoned.

In my experience, physicians are often approached by drug companies, stent companies, etc. and are shown their new products. They often get free samples, free dinners, etc...all a political smooze! Sometimes these companies will team up with a doctor for a quick tester study for their new drug (we're not talking about horrible life altering drugs, but something like blood pressure or a smoking cessation drugs). They team up, and in turn, may receive money for their own research.

This is why it becomes, in my mind, a fine line between personal gain, and patient wellness. Don't get me wrong, I don't think many doctors prescribe medication that can cause harm, but they may suggest something that is a lot more costly than another drug.

I think I'm getting this out the way I want! hehehehehe...and I don't want to imply that bad research or practice goes on- that's not it at all! I just think that people should be aware that often times, there are "noname" drugs that do the exact same thing, and they're a hellva lot cheaper!

I'm also not sure if this smile makes me feel uncomfortable -->

 

[Tik]

Oh, just checked the carb article.

So...I have two minds about this.

1) I'm happy that I feel I can eat carbs now - wooooooo!!! I want to believe this, and follow this to a "T"..

2) This article seems shady. Not that this stuff is true, but I'm really doubtful and leery of stuff like this that doesn't provide their original sources...we don't know if they're taking bits and pieces of the information to fit their article.

You know how you hear about the celebrity interviews where something scandalous has been said, and then three days later we find out that it was taken completely out of context? Well, I find the media does that A LOT with research!

You're totally right when you say that it's difficult for people to filter out the crap in these things...it's really hard to judge the quality, accuracy, and true implications of these facts without knowing where they came from!

For instance, "According to researchers, when dieters are taken off a low-carb diet and shifted them to an approach that includes generous amounts of fiber and Resistant Starch foods, something wonderful happens: Within two days, the dieters' cravings go away." That's fabulous, but we don't know what happens after two days? What happens in a week? Or a month? Does eating carbs satiate you for a few days, and then you go on a binge?

and "A recent multi-center study found that the slimmest people also ate the most carbs, and the chubbiest ate the least. The researchers concluded that your odds of getting and staying slim are best when carbs make up to 64% of your total daily caloric intake, or 361 grams" ...there's so much we don't know about this. What's slim and what's chubby? How do we not know that the slim people's results were also because they exercised more? And what kind of carbs were they eating? The same type of carbs?

I think it's great for people to be interested in research, but it's even better to ask questions, and know what you're reading! I had an article once that listed things for people to look for, to know how to identify good research and bad!

I might still have it! Perhaps I'll send it to you if I can get a hold of it

 

[Monster2]

I'm also not sure if this smile makes me feel uncomfortable -->

Tik, you're showing you're age... .That you're a just a babe out of diapers....
ROFL>.... Just kidding.
BUT... you have to get on you tube and look up Saturday Day Night live skits for the coneheads. It's some of Dan Akroyd's funniest stuff.
OH... DON'T WATCH THE CONEHEADS movie.. it sucks. The skits were much, much better.
......
Also, about doctors.... Yeah.. we're not Canada. I recently learned the pharmaceutical companies have been SEVERALLY restricted in giving any kind of gift to doctors... no dinners, no golf trips, not even pens anymore.
I feel this is a much better way of doing business.

 

[Tik]

Tik, you're showing you're age... .That you're a just a babe out of diapers....
ROFL>.... Just kidding.
BUT... you have to get on you tube and look up Saturday Day Night live skits for the coneheads. It's some of Dan Akroyd's funniest stuff.
OH... DON'T WATCH THE CONEHEADS movie.. it sucks. The skits were much, much better.
......
Also, about doctors.... Yeah.. we're not Canada. I recently learned the pharmaceutical companies have been SEVERALLY restricted in giving any kind of gift to doctors... no dinners, no golf trips, not even pens anymore.
I feel this is a much better way of doing business.

LOL! It's sad- the only exposure I have to the coneheads is the movie- which, *cringe*, was sadly not too good (even me, with my poor taste!)

I'll have to check out some of their SNL skits!

As for the doctors- that's great that you guys are chomping down on that. I think Canada is slowly doing that as well!