The story offers good context – starting with a recollection of over-the-counter melatonin claims that were “the rage” among frequent fliers back in the ’90s. And reminding readers that “promoters of these are appealing to people who think it’s better to do things outside of the medical establishment.”
It can be a public service to do this kind of reporting when new fad products are promoted without evidence of safety or effectiveness.
The story includes some pricing estimates for these products.
The story is clear that – despite the claims made by some who stand to profit – there is no quantifiable information about benefits documented about these products. And there’s this closing skepticism from Dr. Lewy: “he was not sure that their other purportedly sleep-inducing ingredients like valerian root work and partly because food delays rather than hastens the absorption of melatonin.”
The story explains that dessert makers “are marketing their products as a harmless way to promote relaxation.”
While harms are not quantified, it’s clear from the story’s discussions about regulatory questions why that’s impossible to do right now. The harms mentioned are largely hypothetical in that there isn’t good evidence documenting these problems.
But the story does a good job in painting, with broad strokes, what might go wrong if one uses these products.
The story shows how evidence is elusive, partially due to the lack of regulatory clarity about the products in question.
Several independent experts – independent of the product manufacturers – were quoted.
Not applicable. It isn’t possible to compare existing alternatives to these products because there is no information documenting efficacy of the products.
The widening availability of these products is eminently clear from the story. And the fact that melatonin has not approved by the FDA as a food additive is explained.
The relative novelty of these products – and their spread – is clear from the story.
It’s clear that the story did NOT rely on a news release.
Systematic, Criteria-Driven
Following a shift in journalism’s business model, a diverse ecosystem of publications, many covering science, has sprung up online. This has made it more difficult to sort out what qualifies as journalism, what doesn’t, and whether the public even cares.
https://t.co/qO2a27FiSe
Researchers and journalists do the public a grave disservice when they spin health study results to make them appear safer or more effective than warranted, says @HealthNewsRevu founder @garyschwitzer https://t.co/QIKsRbP6Ed
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