THE RESEARCH LIBRARY

Don’t just take somebody else’s word for it. Investigate. Question. Compare. Here are some useful places to begin researching your own health.

MEDICAL RESEARCH

Find published studies, clinical trials, and systematic reviews covering thousands of medical and health-related subjects.

PubMed ↗ Search biomedical research articles, abstracts, and scientific publications. Cochrane Evidence ↗ Explore systematic reviews examining the benefits and harms of healthcare interventions. ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ Search registered clinical studies and available study results.

NUTRITION & PREVENTION

Research food composition, vitamins, minerals, supplements, and complementary health approaches.

USDA FoodData Central ↗ Detailed nutritional information about foods and their components. NIH Dietary Supplement Fact Sheets ↗ Research vitamins, minerals, herbs, and other dietary supplements. NCCIH Health Topics ↗ Browse research summaries on complementary and integrative approaches.

MERCURY & TOXINS

Investigate heavy metals, environmental exposures, toxicological research, and human biomonitoring.

ATSDR Toxicological Profiles ↗ Detailed scientific reviews of hazardous substances and their effects. Mercury in Canadians — Health Canada ↗ Canadian biomonitoring information about mercury exposure. Human Exposure to Harmful Substances ↗ Canadian data on mercury, lead, cadmium, and other environmental substances.

HEALTHY AGING

Explore longevity, physical activity, muscle strength, and maintaining independence as we grow older.

National Institute on Aging ↗ Research and practical information about movement and healthy aging. NIH Healthy Aging ↗ Explore aging-related research, exercise, and maintaining physical function.

MEDICATIONS & TREATMENTS

Look up drug information, product details, reported adverse reactions, and treatment-related research.

Health Canada Drug Product Database ↗ Search medications authorized for sale in Canada. Canada Vigilance Database ↗ Search reports of suspected adverse reactions to health products. MedlinePlus Drug Information ↗ Find medication information, possible side effects, and interactions.

RESEARCH TOOLS

Useful search engines and archives for finding scientific publications and following a subject in greater depth.

Google Scholar ↗ Search scholarly literature, publications, and citations across many disciplines. PubMed Central ↗ Browse free full-text biomedical and life sciences journal articles.