Ripples of information float through health and medicine today like waves in a still pond.  Each brings with it a new bit of news heralding some discovery which will give us a longer life or a brighter future.

The key for a health-conscious consumer is to decided what is fact and what is opinion.  According to the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary and Thesaurus – fact: is the quality of being actual; something that exists.  That is very different from – an opinion which is defined as: a belief stronger than impression and less stronger than positive knowledge.

As you can see, both are related to knowledge.  However, opinion takes a free range and adds the very human concept into the mix.  Of course, we all want to believe that what  we read is the gospel, especially if it comes from someone who has an academic degree behind or beside their name.  However, it may be of value to investigate a little further and actually decide if the information makes sense to you.  I would suggest that you be critical in your reading.

That is not to say that you approach everything from a negative point of view.  Instead, read with a “critical eye.”  Check out the background of the author.  Look at the other topics that the author writes about.  Be a good read. Decide for yourself weather the idea is a real fact or just an opinion.  We need to teach our children to be both healthy in their bodies and their minds.  Make no mistake our children are watching what we put into our bodies and our minds!