Science fact or science trash: We help you tell the difference in 6 steps!

Good dieting, weight loss, and the "perfect body" - these are the promises countless institutions offer us today, but how can you tell what's credible? Read on to find out!

"Get the body you want."
"Lose weight and feel great."

If you're living with me in the 21st century, these are the phrases you're confronted with when you read the paper, catch the bus to work, when browsing the internet during breaks, when you go out for lunch... well you get the point.

But how much of it is science fact, and how much is science trash? How can you tell the difference? At OnSET, we've devised a step-by-step plan to help you sort the garbage from the credible using the site http://www.zonediet.com/free/default.aspx as an example.

Step 1: Is the author/ownership of the source/site clear?

Using the above site as an example: Dr Barry Sears is clearly listed as the creator of the Zone Diet. Additionally at the bottom of the page it shows that the site is powered by Waterfront Media, a leading publisher of self-help experts. Waterfront media has been featured in the Wall St. Journal (a reputablle reading material) thus increasing the credibility of this site.

Step 2: Is the information provided based on sound scientific studies?

Dr Sear's theories have formulated from the 1982 Nobel Prize in Medicine for the discovery of the role of hormones known as eciosanoids - a highly reputable prize. The site does not specifically describe the testing procedures or the controls used, but Dr Sears has recieved several patents for his findings; implying sufficient scientific evidence to prove his theories. "His insight into the hormonal consequences of diet has been confirmed by numerous published studies, many of them conducted at Harvard Medical School," also a credible source.

Helpful hint: one sign of a scientifically sound source is that it contains references from and to recognized peer reviewed publications.

Step 3: Does the source weigh the evidence and acknowledge the limitations?

This site does not acknowledge the limitations of its work. Perhaps the endorsers of the product are profit driven and do not want to lose sales by highlighting the weaknesses of the diets.

Helpful hint: The motive of the source should be clear, e.g: solely for sales versus a sales component as well as enhancing scientific knowledge/education.

Step 4: Are there suggestions of "conspiracies"/ sensational claims?

The above site does not contain any - these experiments have been verified by many distinguished and reliable sources. There are no sensational claims made. All the evidence is interlinked and no hasty conclusions have been drawn. These theories are based on sound research over an extended period of time.

Helpful hint: Information should be explicable and backed up with research.

Step 5: Is the author providing the information qualified to address the subject matter?

Dr Sears has a lot of credentials including being a former research scientist at the Boston University School of Medicine and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and president of Zone Labs (Biotechnology company in Danvers, Massachusetts). He has also published 10 books, one of which was a number-one best seller on the New York Times book list, and is frequently featured in generally credible national mediums such as 20/20, Today, Good Morning America, CNN, MSNBC, and USA Today. Thus his proposed theories on metabolism can be considered reliable.

Step 6: Are you able to obtain additional information if you need it?

A telephone number is given with the guarentee that they will respond promptly. Through the inclusion of the contact number, the owners are encouraging questions and feedback as they feel confident that their product will get positive results.

Hopefully now, you're six steps closer to finding that killer diet you've been looking for, to buying that tanning lotion you know will do its best for your skin, to distinguishing scientific trash from the real deal! With today's media and consumer frenzy, scientific research and explanations have never been so important - Don't let yourself be taken in by the false promises: Look for the science!

by Lindi Levinsohn