How to Make Sense of the Science: 8 Tips When Doing Health Research

It seems finding reliable, trustworthy information is getting harder and harder. With catchphrases like “trust the science” and increasingly frequent claims of misinformation or disinformation, it can feel like getting to the truth is hopeless.

But finding the truth is one of the most important things you can do – especially for your health. Hosea 4:6 says, “My people die for lack of knowledge,” and that has certainly been true for our family. We’ve lost many family members who might still be with us today if we’d known then what we know now about health, nutrition, chemotherapy, and more.

We want you to be equipped with the tools necessary to truly do your own research so that you can make the most informed decisions about your health. Here are some tips to keep in mind the next time you sit down at your computer or venture into the library to do your own health-related research: 

1 | Know Your Source’s Point of View 

Any source of information, whether it is a small blog or a large database, will include some factually true information and other information that may be construed as subjective based on its particular bias. 

It is easy to determine where certain websites and sources of information are coming from. If an information source comes from the conventional medical model, like the Centers for Disease Control or the American Cancer Society, then odds are they will be pro-drug therapy. 

Conventional medicine sites may also offer varying degrees of information or opinion on natural health modalities. They may cite that there is “little or no evidence” that a particular natural health modality works for a particular situation, which may or may not be true. 

At the same time, these sites will often downplay the side effects of certain drugs in their verbiage or through the studies that they reference. 

It is up to you to recognize this bias and look elsewhere for more accurate information on natural modalities and drug side effects. When it comes to side effects, especially, don’t take the word of one source or website, and don’t rely only on conventional sites to stay up to date and aware. 

Do your due diligence and look to a broad spectrum of information sources for answers.

2 | Use Resources You Can Trust

When you come across sources you trust, bookmark them and keep them as your “go-to” references for future research. We always recommend including TheTruthAboutCancer.com among them. In today’s climate, where censorship is common, you may also want to use alternative search engines and browsers such as DuckDuckGo.com and Brave.com to find the information you need. For an excellent AI tool trained on reliable health information, check out Bright Answers—a remarkable AI engine created by Mike Adams.

3 | Read and Read Again… What Are They Really Saying?

Many articles, and most research studies, use double negatives, large medical-related words, and doublespeak to get their point across. Don’t be deterred by this rhetoric! Take your time: read and re-read the material, take notes, look things up, and then read again. Eventually, you will understand enough of it to get the basic gist. 

Of course, you can also look up other people’s interpretations of particular studies. But as I suggested above, don’t rely on just one. Get a few different readouts if you can, coming from different points of view. 

4 | Read and Read Again… Who Is Saying It?

Also, consider who is saying what in an article or a particular study abstract. Where is the author or the researcher coming from? Who is funding the study? Where was the study held, and what type of study was it? You can find some of this information in the title, background information, or acknowledgments page. Other information, such as funding sources, may require a little more digging. 

If it is a “clinical trial” (a study that uses human participants), then you can also check out http://clinicaltrials.gov to find out more specific information, including the contact information of the person who headed the study. 

5 | Don’t Discount Studies That Look at Herbals Within the Medical Model 

All studies, including the thousands of investigations on natural health modalities and substances, must be done using the current medical model, which is geared toward drug therapy and conventional medicine. That means that often, you may have to “read between the lines” to determine whether a study is even talking about a natural substance at all! Studies will often call an herb or a phytonutrient, such as curcumin, for example, a “drug” – even when it really isn’t.

On the other hand, because the aim of most studies is to prove the worthiness of patentable substances, many studies try to determine the specific substances that exist within a particular plant so that they can create a synthetic version. In the main stages of evaluating a substance (often “in vivo” or “in vitro” studies), researchers attempt to prove the efficacy of the herbal substance itself. 

Again, read and reread. Zero in on substances or modalities that come from natural sources. If there is a natural source that can help you without the side effects of a drug, that may be a better path to go down for you. Use your discretion and be sure to consult with a professional before you make any decisions based on your research. 

6 | Don’t Discount Small or Obscure Studies 

Also, don’t discount research that comes from small colleges, independent institutions, or other countries. If you are investigating a particular non-conventional modality whose origin is outside of the United States, for example, search out studies that come from that region. For example, for Ayurvedic substances and modalities, seek out research from India. For Chinese medicine research, look for investigations that come from China, and so on.

7 | Keep a Health Journal to Write Down Your Research and Especially What Works for You.

Keeping a health-related journal is a good idea, not only for writing down research notes, but also for capturing insights from your own health journey. 

You can share these insights with your health care professional if they are open to it. If not, these notes can help you advocate for yourself and tailor your health journey to what works for you. 

8 | Seek Out Second Opinions, Outside Consultants, and One-on-One Advice If You Need It 

Finally, there is nothing wrong with getting a direct second opinion, talking to a natural health professional, or even signing up for an hour consultation with a health coach to get the information you need. Sometimes one-on-one is best, especially when your research has made you more confused than ever about certain aspects of your situation, which can definitely happen! 

Remember, it is your right to know what is going on (and what is going to go in) your own body. This is your journey, so take your time, take lots of notes, and know you are learning to be an empowered health consumer as you practice these savvy research techniques!

Editor’s Note: This article was initially published in 2023 and has been updated in 2026.