Do you ever feel you don't know what to believe ?

[greenlap]

There's so much information out there about things nowadays, it's hard to know what to believe.

I've always tried not to look into anti vax information too much and I've had my kids vaccinated and I'm vaccinated and believe in vaccines and trust doctors in general but SO many people I know just don't believe it, think doctors and vaccines are wrong about many things. I meet more and more people like this from various walks of life.

When it comes to health in general, there is so much conflicting advice. One minute fasting is great, the next minute you read it's not good and bad for hormones. Recently my dad called to tell me toothpaste is bad for kids and makes them lose intelligence. I just came across an ad on instagram that said liquid washing detergent is causing hormonal imbalances in women.

It's just constant. I like to take supplements and thought these were good. Then the other day I came across information that claimed your body cannot absorb supplements properly and it's all about diet ( this was from Tim Spector from the Zoe nutrition program / study ).

For years I was on a protein kick and ate lots of chicken and eggs and that kind of thing, very much avoided carbs ( including legumes ). Now there's a lot of information about meat being bad to gut bacteria and causing a lot of diseases etc.

More and more people I know are looking outside of the mainstream medical advice at ways to stay healthy.

I just feel like it's a lot and therefore I tend to stick to the mainstream stuff but I just don't know if I'm doing the right things for me and my family.

Does anyone else feel similarly ?

I stick pretty much to mainstream advice. There’s a reason we have, over the decades, increased life expectancy and improved, for example, cancer outcomes. Mainstream medical advances. I’m happy to take my chances with that.

I do!
It swings one way, then another....

Don't give little ones products with nuts because of llergies- do give them products with nuts to prevent allergies.

I have the Covid vaccines due immune medical condition and I didn't have the last one because I just don't feel I know enough about it. My Dr gives me hell but can't reassure my fears.

Also re the thing Tim Spector said about supplements. If they're so useless why did my doctor prescribe folic acid to me recently as I seem to have a deficiency.

No, I don't. I think you're not thinking carefully about credible sources for this information, and what you're responding to is chiefly fads and random statements from people with no knowledge in the field of medicine and nutrition. Anti-vaxxers are dangerous nutters. A phone call from your dad about toothpaste isn't a credible source of information, nor is an Instagram ad.

I get it, but seeing as it seems to be constantly coming at you- it's hard not to at least have some sort of thought about it after someone has mentioned it.

and sometimes it is medical professionals that make pretty big claims too.

All my supplements are on prescription. I'm sure they wouldn't be paying for 10+ different macro and micro nutrients per month if they didn't work.

People are losing their capacity for critical thinking.

Why would you trust what some uneducated nutter tells you over a doctor.

It's funny because those are the people who accuse believers of the mainstream to not be thinking critically

You need to get out of the habit of believing everything everyone says.

Research what you've been told from a variety of sources and treat everything with scepticism.

But we have had several instances of drugs being prescribed due medical advice with catastrophic results.

Until.something has had the opportunity to do a full cycle which takes time we only know so much.

And then we can go down the wormhole of pharmaceutical companies making profits, and their relationships with service providers..

I fast twice a week and couldn't care less if someone thinks it's 'bad for your hormones'- I know my own body and it makes ME feel good. So did a lot of stuff you can decide based on your own body.

Then some other stuff like the toothpaste thing - well that's just bullshit! Common sense tells us that.

Vaccines are absolutely essential and anyone who thinks otherwise is no friend of mine.

I've been there - science reporting is dreadful and when you're feeling rubbish, most look for solutions. I've found taking a step at a time and trialing things useful.

Why would you trust what some uneducated nutter tells you over a doctor.

In my experience, a significant portion will be people who experienced abuse by a medical professional seeking support or options who end up down an internet rabbit hole by manipulative people who want to make money off of them.

It's why it's not surprising when a group at higher risk of facing abuse - like pregnant women and girls and those recently given birth - are most targetted and likely to espouse the more extreme views.Then they get mocked and further abuse for it and dig in deeper, It's a safety response, wanting control after having lost it.

Having been through that cycle myself after being raped in a hospiral and left a bloody mess & saw how difficult it to get justice for it, rebuilding trust and confidence takes time, compassion, and recognition that being a doctor doesn't make someone a good person or right. Plenty of the people who make money are also medical professionals, it's part of how their scams work

I get what you’re saying.
So much information, who is trustworthy? This then leads to anxiety.
Actually, certain supplements DO work.
Folic acid does.
I take Co q 10 for gum health, and it’s made a huge difference. Also to my energy levels.
Tim Spector is selling something. He is correct about generic vitamin supplements not being particularly useful though. I believe he does care about the health of the nation, but you don’t have to buy into it.
I care about the health of myself, and my family. And it pays to purchase a very good quality supplement.
We can only know so much sometimes.
Moderation is also very useful here.
As we care about the diet we put into our bodies, we have to be careful of the diet we consume on SM and the like.
Do the best things for yourself, and try to live your life as you see fit without losing money and sleep.

The ‘health and wellness’ industry is hugely profitable and I expect largely unregulated. So it’s no wonder people spread information for their own agenda/profit.
I got a bit overwhelmed by all of the different info out there so I’ve decided to ignore all the stuff Instagram and influencers are trying to push.
Instead I try to go back to basics, home cooked meals as much as possible, good quality meat etc.

I look into the efficacy of the research and sources; generally though I think everything (nearly anyway) in moderation.

There are no magic quick fixes to anything. Everything in moderation. Except smoking tobacco which obviously you should avoid.
Know your own body. What makes you feel healthy. And if something feels wrong then see a doctor.
Most of these trends are just money making schemes capitalising on people's vulnerability.

OK, but at least discount your dad rambling about toothpaste, and some ad on Instagram claiming detergent has a negative impact on your hormones! Limit yourself to considering the science behind claims made by people with actual qualifications, published in peer-reviewed publications.

It's not a matter of belief it's a matter of established facts. Mainstream advice isn't wrong. But it gets changed and updated by better evidence. That better evidence never comes from self-appointed social media 'experts' or 'gurus' who are usually trying to sell you something.

absolutely because it's based on science is ever changing.

What you mention about new evidence coming to light and. Then things changing in science is something the conspiracy theorists use to back up their claims that no one knows what they're taking about and therefore they don't believe in anything said by ' mainstream ' and hence trust in tick tock or YouTube experts.

It's dangerous.

My father believes it all. It's very frustrating having a conversation with him, as he calls me a sheep.

But I'm starting to meet more and more people, my age that are like my father.

My blood tests showed I was deficient in vitamin D. I took supplements and had another blood test a month later - no longer deficient. Both blood tests taken in deepest winter, nothing else changed. I work from home, my life is Groundhog Day, strict routines which never change due to autistic child, so not increase in Vitamin D from increased sunshine or anything. I'd like to hear his explanation for that.

@greenlap You need to go no contact with your Dad he sounds mentally unwell. He is causing you harm!

It’s so bloody hard to know what to think isn’t it! My son has been and will be vaccinated. I had a few Covid vaccines and really wish I didn’t! My husband didn’t and I respect his decision and wish I had been as brave!

I believe in a balanced diet… a bit of everything. Nothing majorly processed and rarely eat deep fried stuff that is obviously bad for you! Eat lots of fruit and veg, nuts etc. I drink alcohol now and then.

Im having a battle about toothpaste with my DH as he doesn’t want 6yr old having fluoride… something to do with pineal gland but I worry he needs it so we compromise on non fluoride toothpaste every other day! We use natural sun cream which is supposed to be better for you… expensive but we didn’t burn and we felt better putting it on our skin.

I do agree though who bloody knows!!

I think there is a real lack of trust in institutions and experts these days. I suppose a bit of skepticism is s good thing - how many health scandals have there been over the years because of medical negligence, or just simple human error?

@Melodysmum12 please, please push back against your husband on the flouride thing. Get the dentist to speak to him. I know an 'anti flouride' mum and her 5 year old is in a real mess now with cavities etc, poor thing. I would not let 'non flouride toothpaste' anywhere near my children, please stand your ground.

Thank you. Makes me feel better.