The 12-Question Checklist
Before believing any study's results, ask these questions:
Study Design
- Is it in humans? Animal and cell studies don't reliably predict human effects.
- Is there a control group? Without comparison, you can't know if the peptide caused the effect.
- Is the intervention clearly defined? Dose, timing, duration should be explicit.
Outcomes
- Is the outcome clinically meaningful? "Statistically significant" isn't always important in real life.
- How large is the effect? Small effects may not be worth the risks/costs.
- How long is follow-up? Short studies may miss delayed effects or risks.
Credibility
- Are adverse events reported? Absence of safety data is a red flag.
- Who funded it? Industry funding doesn't invalidate results but warrants scrutiny.
- Is it replicated elsewhere? Single studies are less reliable than replicated findings.
Applicability
- Is the population similar to you? Results in sick elderly may not apply to healthy athletes.
- Are statistics appropriate? Small samples with many comparisons often produce false positives.
- Does the conclusion match the data? Authors sometimes overstate findings.
Red Flags in Study Reporting
Be skeptical when you see:
- "Breakthrough" or "revolutionary" language
- Only positive findings reported
- No mention of limitations
- Extrapolation far beyond what was measured
- Press releases without peer-reviewed publication
Bottom Line
One study is rarely enough. Look for replicated findings, transparent methodology, and conclusions that match the actual data.
This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.