Click to play videoAtlanta: You see them almost every day - headlines touting new medical research, new drugs or a possible cure, but the head of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Dr Elias Zerhouni has a warning for the public.
"One has to be careful. A lot of people look at early results and jump to conclusions," says Dr Zerhouni.
He says medical research is a long process that can take years and so it's important to ask the right questions.
"Check the source. The source should be independent, high quality, and should not have a reason to benefit from the information they are giving you," says he.
The NIH recommends you ask the following questions:
- Where the research was done and who is paying for it?
- Does the study include people with a similar background and health concerns?
- Were people or animals studied? Animal results often do not translate into similar human findings.
- What are the side effects? Sometimes they are as serious as the disease.
Dr. Zerhouni says do your own research, but be careful where you look.
When you do the Internet searches and you look at that information, check it with your doctor, don't just believe everything you hear.
Also, educating yourself up front may help you stay healthier in the long run.
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