Updated June 08, 2015.
Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Board.
Understanding the results of nutrition research can be confusing. Studies seem to find conflicting results and the results they provide may not apply to all people. How to make sense of it? Read on for a few tips on making sense of cholesterol research study results.
Don't Judge a Study by its Press Coverage
The media may decide to report the results of a study because the results seem groundbreaking or controversial, but the study may not necessarily have been performed soundly.
The study results may make for a good news story, but scientists might consider it a flawed or inaccurate finding. A news story may report that a certain food appears to be "good" or "bad" for cholesterol level, but the study could have been conducted in an unprofessional manner, or been limited by a small number of subjects.
Understand the Type of Study
There are many different types of research study designs. Cohort (group), randomized trials (participants do not chose which group they will be in) and non-randomized trials (participants knowingly choose groups), prospective (looking forward), and retrospective (looking back over time). There are strengths and limitations of each.
Look at the Number of Subjects
The larger the number of subjects studied, the less likely the study results occurred by chance (as long as it was conducted professionally). Larger studies are considered to be more useful as long as they were conducted professionally with minimal limitations.
Look at the Type of Subjects
Consider who is being studied. Was it a 30,000 person study of Americans age 18 to 80? Most likely it was more limited in age and demographics. For example, the results of a cholesterol research study done on obese adolescents should not necessarily be used to treat normal weight older people.
Consider Study Limitations
If you have the opportunity to look at the actual study, read toward the end where the study states its limitations. Did the authors forget to ask a vital question of their participants? Did they look at individuals with a cholesterol level of 200 the same way as those with a level of 250, when they should have divided them?
Consider Existing Research in the Area
Is this the only research study that has found these results out of hundreds on the subject? Health professionals consider the findings of a study compared to the entire existing body of research of the subject before making recommendations based on them. Review studies and meta-analysis reports are two types of "studies of studies" that can identify trends in nutrition data.
Ask Your Doctor if the Information Applies to You
Ultimately, only you and your physician will be able to determine if the results of the study might apply to you. The decision to use any food or medication to treat cholesterol will depend on your medical history, which medications you are currently on and your lifestyle.
Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Board.
Understanding the results of nutrition research can be confusing. Studies seem to find conflicting results and the results they provide may not apply to all people. How to make sense of it? Read on for a few tips on making sense of cholesterol research study results.
Don't Judge a Study by its Press Coverage
The media may decide to report the results of a study because the results seem groundbreaking or controversial, but the study may not necessarily have been performed soundly.
The study results may make for a good news story, but scientists might consider it a flawed or inaccurate finding. A news story may report that a certain food appears to be "good" or "bad" for cholesterol level, but the study could have been conducted in an unprofessional manner, or been limited by a small number of subjects.
Understand the Type of Study
There are many different types of research study designs. Cohort (group), randomized trials (participants do not chose which group they will be in) and non-randomized trials (participants knowingly choose groups), prospective (looking forward), and retrospective (looking back over time). There are strengths and limitations of each.
Look at the Number of Subjects
The larger the number of subjects studied, the less likely the study results occurred by chance (as long as it was conducted professionally). Larger studies are considered to be more useful as long as they were conducted professionally with minimal limitations.
Look at the Type of Subjects
Consider who is being studied. Was it a 30,000 person study of Americans age 18 to 80? Most likely it was more limited in age and demographics. For example, the results of a cholesterol research study done on obese adolescents should not necessarily be used to treat normal weight older people.
Consider Study Limitations
If you have the opportunity to look at the actual study, read toward the end where the study states its limitations. Did the authors forget to ask a vital question of their participants? Did they look at individuals with a cholesterol level of 200 the same way as those with a level of 250, when they should have divided them?
Consider Existing Research in the Area
Is this the only research study that has found these results out of hundreds on the subject? Health professionals consider the findings of a study compared to the entire existing body of research of the subject before making recommendations based on them. Review studies and meta-analysis reports are two types of "studies of studies" that can identify trends in nutrition data.
Ask Your Doctor if the Information Applies to You
Ultimately, only you and your physician will be able to determine if the results of the study might apply to you. The decision to use any food or medication to treat cholesterol will depend on your medical history, which medications you are currently on and your lifestyle.
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