TL;DR:

Evaluate the credibility of health information found online. Prioritize trustworthy sources like .org, .gov, or .edu websites and to be wary of fads that promise quick and easy results without scientific evidence. Always check with a trusted medical provider before making any changes to your health routine. 

There’s a lot of health information online and on social media. Using the internet to find helpful tips and information for managing your health can be great. But just like everything on the internet, not all of it is correct or trustworthy. 

Find trusted sites

Make sure you use trustworthy or factual websites for your information. Try to search those same sources if you hear about something in another place or on social media. 

A good rule of thumb is to check .org, .gov or .edu websites. These are from nonprofits, government agencies or educational institutes. They can be more reliable than .com or .net sites. 

Remember, anyone can create a website today. It doesn’t make the information on that website true. 

Science is cool 

If you get information from social media or online influencers, make sure the information they are providing is science or evidence-based. This means the information has followed certain standards to ensure accuracy. Often, it means the data has been verified through research. 

This isn’t just nice to know. This means you can trust the information has been checked. 

Backgrounds matter

Check to see what the person’s credentials are. Look for people with knowledge and backgrounds in the information they are sharing. Doctors, nurses, dentists and others in the health field can be good sources. 

Spot the fake 

A good way to determine if the information is a fad diet is to look out for these things: 

1. Promises quick and easy weight loss
2. You need to buy something before participating in the diet
3. Diets include testimonials instead of scientific studies or data

Go to the experts

If you are looking for information about specific conditions, turn to the organizations that focuses on that condition. The American Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association can be great resources*. Many of these organizations provide guidance over healthy eating habits directed to the specific conditions and include balance, variety and mindfulness.

Other great resources are larger medical organizations that release helpful information regarding health-related topics, such as the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina blog. 

Check with your doctor

Everyone is different. This is particularly true with our health. Always check with your doctor or health care team before making changes to lifestyle such as diet, exercise or supplements. 

A trustworthy primary care doctor knows your health history and can help you make the best choice for your own needs. 

Too good to be true  

Diets are popular online for promoting new, easy ways to lose weight. But beware of anything that is too good to be true. Fad health trends may help you lose weight, but they are often unsustainable. 

Many online trends may call for you to eliminate important nutrients that your body needs to function. Yes, there are diets that your doctor may recommend based on your own unique needs. But these are generally not safe or appropriate for everyone. 

Eliminating certain foods can be beneficial for someone who is diagnosed with heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes or celiac disease. But it is very important that the person is being closely monitored by his or her health care team.

Buyer beware

Online health trends can also be dangerous. These diets can put people in severe caloric deficits or restrictive eating habits. It can result in nutrient deficiencies and muscle loss. 

It might also increase a risk for heart disease and affect your bone health. 

For example, placing restrictions on the time you eat and the types of foods you eat can put someone who is diagnosed with diabetes at risk for low blood sugars. This is why it is always important to check with your doctor before making any changes that could affect your health. 

The internet can be a great resource for finding helpful information so that you can be an active participant in your health care. Knowing what questions to ask can be a great way to start the conversation with your doctor when you get medical advice. 

But always do your homework and follow up with your doctor. 

*The American Diabetes Association and the American Heart Association are organizations that provide health information you may find useful. These links lead to third-party websites. Those organizations are solely responsible for the contents and privacy policies on their sites.