Online Resources
for Self Help and Evidence-Based Medical Practice
The Cochrane Review is one of the most respected arbiters of fact vs fiction in the world of medicine. They systematically evaluate all the research on a given topic and offer a report that affects healthcare worldwide.
The Devil's Neuroscientist is a terrific blog in which a neurologist examines the findings and limitations of science in his field.
This student site has a great explanation of how one endeavors to practice medicine using the evidence that is available, and making reasonable decisions when the evidence is lacking.
Nutrition Data is a site dedicated to helping us understand the nutritional content of our foods. You can plug in recipes and learn exactly how many calories and what kind of nutrition you are getting.
Up To Date is another evidence-based medical reference that I use. It requires a membership to access. If you are a student of medicine, you may have access through your library.
Medscape is a conventional source for articles on every medical concern. It is useful, however often the articles display a stunning lack of insight or interest in evidence-based natural alternatives. You can sign up for an email newsletter on any medical area of interest if you create a login. It's a good idea to study your own conditions! Of course I will, but you will be more motivated if you understand.
The NNT is offered by a group of docs who evaluate the evidence on various treatment approaches, and give a summary and rating. I'm excited to see more and better resources on Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) appearing online.
Dr Mercola's Health Articles offer some of the best summaries of how you can help yourself through various disease states and onward to better health and fitness. I started reading his newsletters when they first came out, and his site has become more commercial, but the value of the information is still tops.
Science-Based Medicine has variety of articles based on the false premise that conventional medicine is science-based, and alternative medicine is entirely nonsense. Some conventional medicine has precious little evidence to support it, while some alternative medical approaches are well supported by science. It is important that we realize that any source can claim a factual basis without actually having one. In spite of this bias, I find this site interesting and useful, and I am glad that they CARE.
The Union of Concerned Scientists teaches ways of increasing planetary viability that are based in knowledge instead of belief. Our activism is guided by what it is possible to know through science.
The Institute for Generative Medicine is a medical specialty society affiliated with the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP). This new organization is dedicated to exploring genetic and epigenetic influences on our health, allowing us to individualize treatments and to address potential problems before they actually occur.
The Mayo Clinic is also very interested in Genomics in Medical Care, and has a whole new section of their website dedicated to it. It is called the Center for Individualized Medicine.
If you've had genetic testing and learned that you have a MTHFR SNP (not what it sounds like), this podcast by Dr Ben Lynch is for you. This is also very important for anyone who is going to have children.
The Mayo Clinic is also very interested in Genomics in Medical Care, and has a whole new section of their website dedicated to it. It is called the Center for Individualized Medicine.
If you've had genetic testing and learned that you have a MTHFR SNP (not what it sounds like), this podcast by Dr Ben Lynch is for you. This is also very important for anyone who is going to have children.
4MD Medical is a commercial supply company for medical offices. They have an excellent collection of links to conventional medical sources, worth exploring.
NABNE is the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners. Here you can find a list of the schools that are approved for accrediation by the board that examines Naturopathic Doctors. You want a naturopath who has graduated from one of these schools, completed the boards, and who has substantial clinical experience. If you are a skeptic like me, you will want to find out how they decide on their treatments, because naturopathic education is no assurance that their practice will be evidence-based.
