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Can You Trust Health Info Online? Here’s How to Know What’s True (and What’s Not)
With millions of health tips floating around the internet, how do you tell the difference between helpful advice and harmful misinformation?
In today’s episode, we dive deep into the growing problem of false medical information online. From viral TikToks to clickbait headlines, the web is full of health claims — but not all of them are based on facts.
We walk through the pros and cons of looking up symptoms and treatments online, and introduce you to the CRAAP test — a simple tool to help you evaluate the Currency, Relevance, Accuracy, Authority, and Purpose of what you’re reading.
We also discuss the half-life of medical knowledge — the surprising reason why even some older medical advice might no longer be valid.
You’ll learn:
Why online health information spreads so quickly (and dangerously)
How to spot red flags in health articles and social media posts
What the CRAAP test is and how to use it to verify facts
The risks of relying on outdated medical studies
When and how to bring online info to your doctor
In a world of information overload, this episode gives you a doctor-approved filter for separating science from speculation.
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Hike is planned. Knee allowed it. Pepfame BPC.
The longer they are the more fake they are
SMI: "They are lying to you!!!"
Me: How do I know YOU'RE not lying to me?
SMI: Because I look like you, talk like you, dress like you, vote like you.
Me: Well…
SMI: And I say curse words.
Me: Ooooh
Yup, I look at Doctor B talking about diet and selling his own suppliments, when this Dr. Is a doctor of chiropractic science? which I personally don't consider science. I will not consider their advice. If a person is a dietician or has a degree associated with human nutrition than yeah…
Good one. Can you get a cholesterol dr , person, to explain how to correctly measure cholesterol and to explain the correct ratios and the APOB test
SUBSCRIBE!!!! It is the best wway to thank these guys. I'm not connected to these guys in any way but do like their content.
So is it right that full fat diary in moderation can lower ldl and total cholesterol based on recent studies?
I'm not a medical professional but would like to add another R – randomized control studies.
You and a couple other channels have inspired me to work out pretty hard again. More than 20 years after having my left femur fracture and break my kneecap from a car accident, I have finally gotten full range of motion and strength back at 59.
Keep up with all your educational, funny, and positive posts!!
Let me apply this craap test to your lecture on tariffs 😂. Just kidding!!!
So I’m thinking you are kind of like the Smothers Brothers of medicine.
Hey Docs, This is a good video. Here is a current question in the news to ponder: are prostate biopsies beneficial tests to perform, or do they add a huge element of danger to spreading cancer? From what I can figure out, there are experts on both sides of this issue. What do you guys think?
I use internet medical info to help me communicate more effectively with my doctor. One of the big things that keep me coming back to your channel is that you cite your studies. Thanks for all you do to cut through the CRAAP (see what I did there?). Big thanks.
But many people are not going to already know which areas of medicine are rapidly changing and which questions are fairly settled. That’s tough to discern.
Thank you much! ❤
Thank you!!! Love your program❤
For every medical statement online there is another statement that is the exact opposite. Too much information has made us no better off than we were before we had no internet and no medical information online. How ironic! We just have to trust our own doctors. But I do enjoy listening to what these doctors on this channel have to say, thank you!
Great video thanks guys. The CRAAP test LOL, ok that's funny.
watermelon seeds are good & nutritious for you? One post i saw, i remember in youth to not eat as grow a tree inside you!
Twenty five years ago I taught students how to identify legitimate sources for a research paper. We were talking about print sources, but I used guidelines very similar to these. The CRAAP test would have been helpful. What has changed? We had these same problems but both good and BS sources were fewer, less accessible, and had less reach. Thanks, docs, this is a great resource.
Very good information, thank you for educating us.
I look up everything about medical it takes weeks to get into a doctor some stuff like drink more water and eat different may change it.
You guys are awesome. Fantastic topic today. Am sending it to my daughter who has three small children. Thank you!
Good information. This needs to be pushed out to more people because kooky influencers will be the death of us
All common sense, which unfortunately is severely lacking in people today…
I know it wasn't in a medical context, but a comment I heard once in connection with a pension fund valuation has stayed with me for decades: "If you ask 3 Actuaries the same question, you'll get 18 different answers". Still makes me smile 😊. But the message is sound, it is that even experts on their field can come to different conclusions in the same situation. Life isn't black and white, much as we'd like it to be.
😂When I first saw the thumbnail, I thought this video was about doo-doo!😂😂
“Watch this video quickly before “they” take it down again.” 🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩
You two are the BEST!!! Thank you for your awesome & entertaining videos❣️🙋🏼♀️🇺🇸
I know that most doctors sincerely want to help people, but even among those, there are some who are so stuck on themselves that they won't listen to anyone. Others who genuinely try to help just don't have the information or skill. And then there are those who should never be allowed near a patient. After dealing with too many of the "not good" ones, I find it hard to trust anyone with MD after his name.
Thank you for this. Very useful information. 😊
Should we be worried about microplastics and the damage to our bodies ?
People turn to the internet for medical information when they feel manipulated by the health care industry and a victim of the insurance company lobbyists. in my experience, health care professionals seem to prefer to push a pill and turn their noses up at any alternatives. Add in the co-pays and co-insurance and out-of-pocket and not covered and needs prior authorization and it is no wonder I resort to my own devices to fix whatever is not working right. Exceptions: broken bones, profuse bleeding, not breathing, etc.
Question 1…Hip replacement, I am swaying from side to side when walking, and since I've been walking like this for a year, will this go away after hip replacement and the pain ???
Question 2. After having a hip replacement, what are the chances, a patient will end up with Cancer in the hip? And your answer is much appreciated it. Thank you !! Debbie
Very true thanks guys, I rely on a famous quote " 73% of what you read on the internet is false" Abe Lincoln 1865
Unfortunately the last criteria, Purpose, can be extremely hard to sort out. Influencers are rewarded by saying whatever will get them more clicks and engagement. That's not transparent: we have no idea how much income is derived from just saying things that support people's world views but has no basis in reality. They can make big $$ even if they aren't selling a product.
Thanks! Your video followed an ad for online only supplements, sold in EU by electronic addresses making them seem "French" or "Swiss", offer "cures" of expensive "supplements", difficult to cancel. Links were to shell sites, including "accreditation". No easy way to signal ads like this as spam or worse.
Here's the bottom line for me. I'm a 71 year old Canadian widow. I haven't had a doctor since August of 2014. I have osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia. So I have chronic pain. I take no medication, but I do resort to the oldest drug I know of, and that is wine. I eat a Big Mac maybe twice a year. I don't eat chocolate bars or donuts etc. A bag of chips 4 or 5 times a year. I cook from scratch. Yes, I do use canola oil when I'm out of olive oil. I consume bacon a couple of times a month. Anyway, I believe most natural foods are healthy. Quite frankly, I'm sick of all the doctors on YouTube using scare tactics. I believe God knows when my time will be up, and I'm okay with that. I couldn't tell you what my blood pressure is, or if I have high cholesterol. I don't know I'd my breast cancer has returned, but I'm okay wirh that too.
I check a reputable source (webMD or similar) when I see bullsh*t online.
Younger people do not trust the information that they get from the corporate media.
Thank You : ) Very helpful.
I just read a FB post about a link between Alzheimer's and cold sores. It was well written, but I have my doubts. Many commenters say they don't kiss babies.
Prefect video raising a big problem – great method to check. The effect of passing messages between individuals distorts the message through ‘noise’ as it passes and copies – the ‘pass it on game’ is evidence on this. Even worse on social media as the pass on is rapid and to many people.
Unfortunately the authorities we should trust often get caught if not outright lying distort the truth for idealogical or selfish reasons leaving the common man grasping for help!
I don't trust any of the so called information coming from influencers. I can feel when they're repeating something coming from an authority using very similar words, or perhaps it comes other influencers in a circular fashion. On the surface it looks it might be true if it is believed by many people independently. But then I see that they are not truly independent.
It’s ironic that the first ad that came up was some bloke in a white coat telling me that everything I know about failing eyesight is wrong!
Thank you doctors you are right on with your information..❤