Abstract
Most patients realize that the Internet is no substitute for professional advice, but they cannot resist the impulse to cruise the Web to get a second opinion from "Dr Google." Can they trust Dr Google for health and nutrition advice?
This article describes what the Google search engine is, how it is funded, and why health professionals and consumers should be wary of using it for health and nutrition information. These search results often lack objectivity, feature unsound recommendations based on faulty evidence, and include a confusing mixture of advertisements, anecdotal reports, and even outlandish claims. The Internet is no substitute for professional advice, but it is here to stay, and we summarize ways to separate dependable from dubious search engine results.