- Fake health advice is widespread online and often follows a few strategies.
- Misinformation can harm a person’s physical and mental health.
- Be wary of grand claims and conspiratorial tones, advised Dr Idrees Mughal.
A doctor who challenges nutritional misinformation online and has written a book on common tips has listed the red flags to look out for.
Health misinformation can cause real damage to physical and mental health, so learning to spot it is crucial, said Dr. Idrees Mughal, a physician with a master’s degree in nutritional research.
Mughal was speaking last month at an online conference on nutrition misinformation organized by the Royal College of Medicine and nutrition organization Nutritank.
It’s impossible to know every health claim, but being able to spot patterns can help you spot counterfeits, Mughal said.
These are his three red flags:
Absolute language
Words like “most”, “best”, “worst”, “best”, “always” and “never” have no place in health advice because they do not take into account the individual differences, Mughal said. “No one who truly relies on evidence would use terms like these.”
People have different needs and goals, and no single ingredient or diet can be the best way to eat for the entire population, he said.
Take nuts for example: they’re a good source of fiber, protein, and healthy fats, and some studies suggest it’s a good idea to eat them regularly. linked to longevity. But nut allergies are common and can be fatal — so these tips won’t work for everyone.
A quick solution
“THE promise of a quick solution is always a huge wake-up call,” Mughal said.
People are much more receptive to things that can be done quickly. Silver Bullet-style content tends to get more engagements, clicks and likes, he said.
But chronic diseases that can be influenced by our lifestyle choices, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, require a long-term treatment plan for lifestyle management. “If you didn’t develop them overnight, you’re not going to fix them overnight,” he said.
Create an “us versus them” mentality
Health misinformation can harm public health and lead to distrust of medical professionals, Mughal said.
Some wellness influencers exploit this distrust to sell themselves and create an “us versus them” mentality, he said.
Rather than providing evidence-based information, they might say things like, “The healthcare industry doesn’t want you to know this. I’m about to tell you a huge secret,” which presents them as experts with hidden knowledge. , he said. At the same time, it makes you distrust more established authorities.
“It’s kind of a predatory wellness marketing tactic,” Mughal said.