Sharing health evidence you can trust
Many health claims are made about probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics. In some cases, there’s evidence that they may be helpful - but there’s a lack of evidence to support other claims. This blog by Cochrane UK’s Selena Ryan-Vig, focuses mainly on probiotics and looks at the evidence behind their use for various health conditions, explaining where 1) they may have some benefits; 2) they may not be worthwhile and 3) the evidence is uncertain - so we’re unsure whether or not they’re helpful.
In this blog for people thinking of taking a vitamin D supplement, GP Robert Walton shares NHS recommendations and looks at the latest Cochrane evidence on vitamin D to help you make a choice about whether to take vitamin D supplements.
John Lawrenson blogs about the latest Cochrane evidence on interventions for controlling myopia in children and asks ‘What is the most effective treatment?’
Can cranberries prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs) from coming back? What other options are available without a prescription? In this short blog for women with UTIs that come back (recurrent UTIs), Selena Ryan-Vig from Cochrane UK looks at the evidence.
A blog for people with eczema and those caring for children with eczema, by Cochrane UK's Sarah Chapman, looking at trustworthy evidence on emollients or moisturisers and topical steroids.
Professor Martin Burton looks at the evidence on ear drops for removing earwax, and some things to think about, including whether you need to remove it at all.
Doctors Rebecca Gould and Charlotte Squires look at new Cochrane evidence on how physical exercise can help people with Parkinson’s, and Lis Kirkness, who lives with Parkinson’s, writes about her experience of trying both old and new forms of exercise, and the benefits she has felt.
In this blog, Sarah Chapman looks at the Cochrane evidence on treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), talks to Consultant Neurophysiologist and Cochrane Review author Jeremy Bland, and reflects on her husband’s experiences.
In a blog for anyone looking for support in making health decisions, Dr Jenny McSharry, Health Psychologist and lecturer in the School of Psychology at the University of Galway, explains what systematic reviews are and why they are a particularly trustworthy source of health evidence.
In a blog for people taking statins, or considering taking them, Dr Paula Byrne, Researcher at Evidence Synthesis Ireland, shares what she and her team found when they looked at the evidence on statins and the risk of bad outcomes like stroke and heart attack.
In this short blog, Dr Robert Walton looks at the Cochrane evidence on treatments to prevent travel sickness (motion sickness).
Jack Leahy writes about his experience of practicing yoga and the latest Cochrane evidence on yoga for people with chronic non-specific low back pain