Faculty students of YU College of Medicine reported, “Analysis of credibility and beneficiary of Youtube on effect of Vitamin C.”

Insertion in an international journal in integrated medicine area

Self-control of uncritical acceptance of Youtube information and motive for stopping exaggerated advertisements of health functional foods

[April 07, 2022]

<From the left, Professor JANG Min-cheol of Department of Rehabilitation Medicine of YU College of Medicine and student LEE Hyeon-song of 4th grade of Department of Medicine>

  “The Youtube content that Vitamin C is effective in prevention and treatment of COVID-19 is reliable?”

Faculty students of YU College of Medicine reported an interesting result of a study on credibility and beneficiary of Youtube information on the effect of Vitamin C in prevention and treatment of COVID-19.

  The thesis in which lead author is LEE Hyeon-song, a 4th-grade student of YU College of Medicine and the corresponding author is Professor JANG Min-cheol of Department of Rehabilitation was reported through Complementary Therapies in Medicine (2.446 of IF), an international online integrated medical journal.

  In the thesis, various kinds of information shown in Youtube in relation to intake of  Vitamin C as one of known alternative therapies for treatment of COVID-19. There has been known reliable therapy against COVID-19 which was prevalent since 2020. Therefore, general population had no way but to be interested in nutrients or alternative therapy which are easily available. It was identified whether Vitamin C, one of the most common nutrients, is actually effective in prevention and treatment of COVID-19 and whether Youtube videos have reliable and beneficial information.

  LEE Hyeon-song, the lead author of the thesis, said, “According to precedent studies, it is difficult to say that Vitamin C is actually effective in prevention and treatment of COVID-19. Youtube videos containing corresponding subjects were evaluated. It was identified through the study that Youtube videos have low reliability and beneficiary. I hope that general population does not uncritically accept Youtube videos and does not use unnecessarily alternative therapies. Pharmaceutical companies and heal functional food companies may stop the marketing activities that Vitamin C is beneficial against COVID-19.”

  Professor JANG Min-cheol of Department of Rehabilitation said, “The study was conducted with a subject which may be easily contacted by general population and may be interested for a study at the level of a faculty student of College of Medicine. I am, as the tutor, proud of insertion of the thesis in an international journal. I want students challenge in studies on various areas helpful for faculty students. If possible, I hope to conduct studies on medical data with us of AI with faculty students.”