Avoid Health Scams!
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
As a former Personal Trainer, Martial Arts Instructor, former Lifeguard, Eagle Scout, and Licensed Massage Therapist with a degree in my field, one of the things I absolutely hate is modern snake oil. You've probably seen them online or advertised by a certain TV doctor who makes you think of Dorothy and was brought before the medical board for peddling dangerous substances as miracles... the same one that ran for office. These people are after your money and have no intention of actually helping you. Most are aware that what they sell is complete BS, but I have met a few that have believed a lie they were told. It happens all the time, and it's easy to fall for if you don't pay attention. Here's a few things to remember to guard yourself from being swindled.
Anecdotal evidence isn't evidence at all.
They will tell you stories about people who had miraculous cures, usually a friend of a friend or someone who posted a story online and swears by it. You may notice this same person started a company for the product and markets it by either selling the product to distributers or in something that sounds awfully like a pyramid scheme. If the warning bells are going off or you see red flags, don't ignore them. Anyone can make up stories about something, and the placebo effect is very real.
Ask for hard proof.
Ask for peer-reviewed studies. If one study suggests something, google that thing and "hoax" or "fake". You'll usually find articles that will warn you if it's fraudulent. Also, try to see how many studies were done and how thorough they were. Many sellers will draw your attention to a loose study that backs some of their claims and ignore all the studies that disprove those claims. It's a classic "pay no attention to the man behind the curtain" situation. Ask too many questions and the answers will change. If they can't give you answers to exactly how something works or point you to a scientific source that can explain it, be cautious.
You get what you pay for (usually).
If something is cheap, it won't be effective. If something is effective, it won't be cheap. This is a golden rule of life and business, but remember that there are always exceptions to most rules. I have seen all kinds of "miracle" teas, foot baths, alkaline waters, etc that have all been disproven. I have clients who ask about them all the time, and I have no problem telling them the hard truth. Don't even get me started on detoxes and juice cleanses. At the same time, some snake oil is expensive to give the appearance of legitimacy. You may have come across adds for a certain knife brand (beginning with a K) on YouTube that claims to sell a "super sharp" kitchen knife set for around $300. When tested, they were found to be made from the cheapest Chinese steel and barely had an edge. You can pick up a better set at your local store for cheap. Shadiverstiy has a YouTube video on it. The same thing can happen with anything health or wellness-related.
Beware of bold claims.
Many of these products claim to do things that don't make sense when you stop to think about it. How can a tea make you lose weight? How can a foot bath remove toxins through your skin? How can an exercise or any product spot reduce body fat? If your body were too acidic or toxic, wouldn't you be in the hospital? Think critically of any claims, but especially when it comes to your health. It's one of the most important aspects of your life and affects everything.
