User Friendly Evidence-Based Research

In the modern world, medical information (factual or not) is at the touch of a button. We can find just about anything on the Internet. Sure, there is a lot of false information but even if we do find the evidence-based research, how many average people can actually make sense of it?

If I’m curious about lowering my blood sugar and I find a reliable research source that tells me mice were given 0.5 micrograms of some long named compound and their blood sugar was lowered, what have I really learned? Probably not very much. But, if I were able to get the same information in a format that was applicable to my lifestyle, I might be able to make a positive change in my life.

Well, this is just what Jack Chellam did in his article for dLife about blood sugar control. dLife is a website designed to provide information to people with questions about diabetes. In this article, Chellam discussed research done by ASU’s Dr. Carol Johnston about the effects of vinegar on lowering blood sugar. The entire article focuses on the evidence-based research but it is much more user-friendly. There are embedded links to help explain the key concepts of diabetes and glucose control. The author also turns the research into something that everyone can use. He mentions specific amounts of vinegar that can be used to lower blood sugar. The article provides easy recipes and other ways to incorporate vinegar into the diet. Overall, this article says the same thing as the research but it’s much more useful to the consumer.

In a time of overwhelming amounts of information, getting people the right information in a way that they can understand is the key. More articles like Chellam’s could improve healthcare immensely. If people knew there was a safe place to get information that was based on research but was applicable to their lives, they may be able to make more positive impacts on their own health and feel more confident in a time of a scary diagnosis.