Why science is never proven

A couple of months back an older relative had just read some ‘latest research’ that ‘proved’ she had a high chance of developing dementia, and she told me it made her scared. 

"Ageing isn't for the faint-hearted," she sighed, clearly worried. We discussed it and I’m not sure I was able to allay her fears that much.  Hopefully I did a bit.

As we age it’s easy to become caught up feeling that our minds and bodies are becoming more and more vulnerable.  All our lives we have been fed this information by society, media and medical research that as we become older we decline. Like, we need to be rigorous in our check-ups… just in case some disease process, including the onset of dementia, is lurking.  After all, brain cells included, our bodies aren’t as strong as they were, so beware!

But what sort of strength are we talking about?  Our muscle and bone density is different of course as our hormones change, as an example. But these days, we’re being relentlessly fed that the ‘most recent research’ shows how much weaker our whole cell renewal process is, including in our brains, and that our cell division may now be incomplete, or our genes’ telomere lengths in our DNA strands (latest buzz words to try and scare us) are decreasing…and on and on. 

Now mitochondria in our cells might not be replicating properly.  All pointing to how much weaker we’re becoming.  Honestly, What next??

And here’s the thing: we’re even told things are proven!  Well, I say: that is until they aren’t. 

Nothing is proven. 

Besides, we are all individuals with different bodies, minds, hearts, beliefs, and unique ageing processes. 

But do keep this in mind: in reputable science, nothing is ever proven. 

Ever, ever!

In reputable science, researchers use words like ‘suggests’ or ‘indicates’ or ‘shows an increased link to’.  That is all, and no more.

The thing is, if you ‘prove’ something, then the next lot of newer research that even partially contradicts what has been supposedly proven previously makes science look shady and untrustworthy.  This is happening over and over again in the health industry and has been for years.

Like, are you telling us that now this is the next ‘proven’ stuff…until yet again, it isn’t? 

Isn’t that bonkers?

‘Scientifically proven’ is a way of saying ‘I want to sell you stuff’.  Let’s face it, the aging sector is the latest frontier for a selling boom.  And the media loves it.

But consider this:

• In reputable science these new discoveries are able to be replicated by other different researchers showing the validity of the discovery. 

• In reputable science the organisations that may have been involved in the funding of the research is always disclosed in case there is any conflict of interest. And in less reputable science often there is!

• In reputable science the door is always kept open for new discoveries.  And the rate at which reputable science is finding out new stuff is exciting. 

• I could go on!

So always look for the latest discoveries in science that demonstrate open doors and with no money-grabbing profiteers lurking around the corner!

Then the next time you come across some scientific discovery 'proving' something, take it with a grain of salt.

Perhaps find some other research where it illustrates an open door.

Because nothing is ever proven!