The starting point
A study is a piece of evidence. Its participants, methods and limitations matter as much as its headline.
Start with the study type.
You do not need to understand every technical term to ask a useful first question: was this studied in people? Laboratory work can show what happens in cells; animal studies can explore an idea in a living system. Neither guarantees the same outcome in a person. Our product pages explain the type of evidence before linking to the original source.
Read the study in context.
ClinicalTrials.gov records can describe a study’s purpose, eligibility and locations. NIH explains that a listing does not mean the U.S. government has evaluated the study. A registration also should not be confused with published results.
Look for what was actually measured, who was included and what comparison was used. Ask whether the source discusses uncertainty, unwanted effects and limitations as well as its main findings.
Bring the paper, not just the headline.
Save the original source and the exact product information. A qualified healthcare professional can help you consider whether the evidence is relevant to your circumstances.
Go to the source.
General educational information. For individual advice, speak with a qualified healthcare professional.