| You read about a supplement that allegedly | | | | science research does not provide scientific |
| "Boosts your mood and motivation!" That sure | | | | evidence for a supplement's beneficial health |
| sounds good so your surf over to the | | | | effects on human beings. Only research with |
| company's web site.The web site looks | | | | human subjects, using randomized controlled |
| official--it's even got footnotes citing | | | | trials, can offer such evidence.On the |
| scientific journals. You're ready to purchase | | | | PubMed.org search page, click on the "Limits" |
| the supplement online until you ask yourself, | | | | tab located under the "Search" box. You will |
| "What if this supplement doesn't really | | | | see a number of drop-down menus. First click |
| possess any scientific evidence for its | | | | on the Publication Type menu and then select |
| efficacy? How can I tell the difference | | | | Randomized Controlled Trial. Next click on |
| between supplements with solid evidence for | | | | the drop-down menu labeled, Humans or Animals |
| their reported benefits versus those lacking | | | | and click on Humans.An ExampleMorinda |
| any scientific support?"Here are the 3 Steps | | | | citrifolia is the scientific name for a |
| to answer those questions:Step 1: Go to is a | | | | popular ingredient in a nutritional |
| National Library of Medicine (United States) | | | | supplement. First search on PubMed for |
| web site where you can search for articles | | | | Morinda citrifolia, without placing Limits on |
| published in peer-reviewed scientific | | | | your search.How many results did you |
| journals.Why check PubMed? Because the | | | | receive?The count was 69 at the time I wrote |
| National Library of Medicine carefully | | | | this article. Looks impressive, huh?But now |
| selects only high-quality journals that offer | | | | search for Morinda citrifolia after first |
| value to medical scientists around the world. | | | | placing Limits on the search as described |
| Selection criteria are detailed on this web | | | | above, so that you receive only those studies |
| page: 2: Once on the PubMed web site, search | | | | which provide more definitive scientific |
| for research articles using the generic | | | | evidence for the positive effects of Morinda |
| (scientific) name of the supplement in | | | | citrifolia.How many journal articles did you |
| question. Supplement manufacturers must list | | | | find searching with the specified limits? I |
| the scientific name for their supplement's | | | | found 1. Thus, out of 69 articles found on |
| ingredients on the label and in | | | | PubMed.org, only one provides some evidence |
| advertisements. Supplements often contain | | | | forMorinda citrifolia's beneficial |
| many ingredients but usually only a few | | | | effects.It's great that this study exists |
| provide the purported benefits. Those are the | | | | because it could end up being one of several |
| ingredients you want to evaluate--they are | | | | studies demonstrating that Morinda citrifolia |
| often the same ones the manufacturer | | | | provides health benefits. However, at the |
| highlights in advertisements.Step 3: This is | | | | present time, the most one could say about |
| the step some supplement companies don't want | | | | Morinda citrifolia is something like, "One |
| you to know. Before you click on the "Search" | | | | study has provided very preliminary evidence |
| button at PubMed.org, limit your search to | | | | of Morinda citrifolia's health benefits with |
| studies that utilize the right research | | | | a narrowly defined patient group. Further |
| methodology with the right population.The | | | | controlled trials are needed to determine if |
| right research methodology is a randomized | | | | this result will be replicated by other |
| controlled trial (the double-blind, placebo | | | | research groups working with different |
| control group design fits under this | | | | populations."ConclusionBy using the "Limits" |
| category) and the right population is human | | | | function on the PubMed.org search menu, |
| beings.Specifying human subjects is important | | | | consumers can identify supplements that lack |
| because you want to know if the ingredients | | | | scientific evidence for their efficacy.Mark |
| in a supplement have been shown to produce | | | | Worthen, Psy.D. is a Phi Betta Kappa graduate |
| the advertised benefits in real live human | | | | of the University of Maryland's Honors |
| beings--not just in rats pressing levers for | | | | Psychology program. He was a Clinical Fellow, |
| food pellets or in a "case study" with one | | | | Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical |
| person.This is not to say that basic science | | | | School and earned his Doctor of Psychology |
| research, which is often conducted initially | | | | degree from Baylor University in 1990. In |
| with animals, is unimportant. On the | | | | addition to his work as a psychologist, he is |
| contrary, such research usually serves as a | | | | an independent representative for a leading |
| crucial building block for subsequent | | | | health and wellness company and owner of |
| clinical research with humans. But basic | | | | Best-Mlm-Opportunities. |