Boosting the Immune System, From Science to Myth: Analysis the Infosphere With Google

Macedo, Arthur Cassa; Faria, André Oliveira Vilela de; Ghezzi, Pietro

doi:10.3389/fmed.2019.00165

Cited by 29 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…This was also used when comparing the frequency of HONcode-certified webpages in the top 10 results vs. the remaining 140 websites. The statistical analysis was pre-defined and followed exactly the same design used in our previous studies (7)(8)(9).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Online Information on Probiotics: Does It Match Scientific Evidence?

2020

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Probiotics are over-the-counter products marketed for enhancing human health. Online information has been key in promoting probiotics worldwide. However, only few rigorous clinical studies have met the stringent criteria required to establish the efficacy and safety of probiotics. The present study was undertaken to assess the information quality of webpages referring to probiotics and to compare the recommendations available online with the information collected from trusted scientific sources. We evaluated 150 webpages returned by Google searching "probiotics" in terms of typology of website, health information quality based on the JAMA score and the HONcode certification, as well as completeness of the information based on the presence of four criteria: (1) links to scientific references supporting health claims, (2) cautionary notes about level of evidence for alleged benefits, (3) safety considerations, and (4) regulatory status. We then enumerated the health claims mentioned online and the corresponding clinical trials and reviews registered in the Cochrane library. Finally, the conclusions of Cochrane reviews were used to assess the level of scientific evidence of the information available through Google search. HON-certified websites were significantly more frequent in the top 10 websites than in the remaining websites. In terms of completeness of information, only 10% of webpages met all four criteria, 40% had a cautionary note on benefits, 35% referred to scientific literature, and only 25% mentioned potential side effects. The results of the content analysis led us to conclude that: (1) the most frequent typologies of webpages returned by Google are commercial and news, (2) commercial websites on average provide the least reliable information, and (3) significant numbers of claimed benefits of probiotics are not supported by scientific evidence. This study highlights important biases in the probiotics information available online, underlining the need to improve the quality and objectivity of information provided to the public.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is therefore important to assess the trustworthiness of the probiotics information that can be found online. For this purpose, we took advantage of an established methodology previously used to analyze health information quality on antioxidants and vaccines (7)(8)(9).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Online Information on Probiotics: Does It Match Scientific Evidence?

2020

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“…Following Cassa Macedo et al , 18 we conducted searches on www.google.com using the Google Chrome browser, the most widely used search engine, 19 using the phrase ‘boost immunity’ AND ‘coronavirus’ on 1 April 2020 in Winnipeg, Canada to compile a dataset of uniform resource locators (URLs) for analysis. To limit personalisation of the search results, we did not link the browser to an existing Google account, and we deleted cookies and erased the browser history.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 and ‘immune boosting’ on the internet: a content analysis of Google search results

et al. 2020

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ObjectiveThe spread of misinformation has accompanied the coronavirus pandemic, including topics such as immune boosting to prevent COVID-19. This study explores how immune boosting is portrayed on the internet during the COVID-19 pandemic.DesignContent analysis.MethodsWe compiled a dataset of 227 webpages from Google searches in Canada and the USA using the phrase ‘boost immunity’ AND ‘coronavirus’ on 1 April 2020. We coded webpages for typology and portrayal of immune boosting and supplements. We recorded mentions of microbiome, whether the webpage was selling or advertising an immune boosting product or service, and suggested strategies for boosting immunity.ResultsNo significant differences were found between webpages that appeared in the searches in Canada and the USA. The most common types of webpages were from news (40.5%) and commercial (24.7%) websites. The concept of immune boosting was portrayed as beneficial for avoiding COVID-19 in 85.5% of webpages and supplements were portrayed as beneficial in 40% of the webpages, but commercial sites were more likely to have these portrayals. The top immune boosting strategies were vitamin C (34.8%), diet (34.4%), sleep (34.4%), exercise (30.8%) and zinc (26.9%). Less than 10% of the webpages provide any critique of the concept of immune boosting.ConclusionsPairing evidence-based advice for maintaining one’s health (eg, healthy diet, exercise, sleep) with the phrase immune boosting and strategies lacking in evidence may inadvertently help to legitimise the concept, making it a powerful marketing tool. Results demonstrate how the spread of misinformation is complex and often more subtle than blatant fraudulent claims.

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“…As discussed, we are in the information era, and with this there are many online nutritional myths about how to bolster the immune system. 6 However, a number of scientific reviews and research publications have been published focusing on the role of diet and specific nutrients in the immune system, some of which have focused on respiratory viral infections. Here we discuss some of the main findings.…”

Section: Nutrition Focusmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…5 Undoubtedly there are many nutritional myths of bolstering the immune system, including diet, fruit, vitamin C, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and probiotics-all typically being mentioned most often on the infosphere. 6 The present article extrapolates some of the most pertinent scientific evidence related to immunonutrition, focusing specifically on its potential roles in resisting respiratory viruses and diseases.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19: is there a role for immunonutrition, particularly in the over 65s?

Derbyshire

Delange

2020

BMJNPH

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In late December 2019 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) first emerged in Wuhan, Hubei, China, resulting in the potentially fatal COVID-19. It went on to be officially recognised as a pandemic by the World Health Organisation on 11 March 2020. While many public health strategies have evolved, there has been little mention of the immune system and how this could be strengthened to help protect against viral infections such as SARS-CoV-2. The present paper evaluates the current evidence base relating to immunonutrition, with a particular focus on respiratory viruses. Within the nutrition sector a promising body of evidence studying inter-relationships between certain nutrients and immune competence already exists. This could potentially be an important player in helping the body to deal with the coronavirus, especially among elders. Evidence for vitamins C, D and zinc and their roles in preventing pneumonia and respiratory infections (vitamins C and D) and reinforcing immunity (zinc) appears to look particularly promising. Ongoing research within this important field is urgently needed.

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Boosting the Immune System, From Science to Myth: Analysis the Infosphere With Google

Cited by 29 publications

References 25 publications

Online Information on Probiotics: Does It Match Scientific Evidence?

Online Information on Probiotics: Does It Match Scientific Evidence?

COVID-19 and ‘immune boosting’ on the internet: a content analysis of Google search results

COVID-19: is there a role for immunonutrition, particularly in the over 65s?

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