How would you deal with this?

February 2, 2008

Recently a friend asked me how would you deal with " sounds too good to

be true " . This friend makes an herbal concoction that solves a common

persistent problem. That doesn't seem to have clear cut, single

product, all around success. He asked me because of my involvement in

groups, what would be the criteria for people to believe about a

products efficacy.

I am seeking your input as to what specifically makes you sympathetic

or unsympathetic about a product's claims.

February 2, 2008

Well, the " gold standard " for scientific claims is a double-blind study...one

that has a sufficient number of subjects to be statistically significant. And

the more studies of that nature, done by independent researchers, that confirm

the original results, the better.

Despite the above widely-accepted notions of the " gold standard of proof, " we

all know that " Big Pharma " has often committed sins of both omission and

commission when it comes to protecting their investments and bringing new drugs

to market.

Of course, when it comes to " alternative medicine, " the usual " proof of

efficacy " consists of a series of first-person testimonials (or so I've gathered

from reading numerous examples put forth in books on the subject). However,

this type of " proof " is considered to be both unscientific, and maybe even

fraudulent...even if the results are actually VALID. And this is what many

" natural " remedies run up against, given that they cannot be patented...which

makes any investment in " scientific " proof of efficacy pretty-much a waste of

money.

The way that most sellers of " alternative medicines " get around this is that

they're careful to make no health claims on the packaging. They often get

around things by publishing separate fliers, pamphlets, and/or books about their

product, as the FDA has no power over the written works, only over claims on the

product's containers.

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February 2, 2008

An herbal concoction for a common problem? I use herbs, so I know they can

be very effective. For me to consider some commercial formula, it has to

list every ingredient for me. Not the formula, that's where he makes his

money, but what's in there, in descending order, so I can see whether I

agree. The research, the experiments, the trials, with names and dates of

publication. If it's a flashy website, I won't bother reading it. -- Meg

February 2, 2008

I tend to apply what I know and logical thinking to

the claims for the product.

BTW: Lots of things 'sound too good to be true'.

Just picture that it is 1975 and someone is trying

to explain Google to you:

" You get this small TV / typewriter combo thing and

it quickly connects you to millions and millions of

people all over the planet, and just about every

business, as well as to virtually every piece of

human knowledge. You can buy all your clothing,

food, and every other product and it will all be

brought to your door the next day or the day after. "

Would you have believed that? <g>

stephen

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On Feb 2, 2008, at 12:54 PM, whattodonow11 wrote:

Recently a friend asked me how would you deal with

" sounds too good to be true " . This friend makes an

herbal concoction that solves a common persistent

problem. That doesn't seem to have clear cut,

single product, all around success. He asked me

because of my involvement in groups, what would be

the criteria for people to believe about a products

efficacy.

I am seeking your input as to what specifically

makes you sympathetic or unsympathetic about a

product's claims.

February 3, 2008

, " whattodonow11 "

<whattodonow11 wrote:

>

> Recently a friend asked me how would you deal with " sounds too good to

> be true " . This friend makes an herbal concoction that solves a common

> persistent problem. That doesn't seem to have clear cut, single

> product, all around success. He asked me because of my involvement in

> groups, what would be the criteria for people to believe about a

> products efficacy.

>

> I am seeking your input as to what specifically makes you sympathetic

> or unsympathetic about a product's claims.

>

People like testimony ,Pictures are convinsing also

February 3, 2008