Avoid wellness scams

Many of you ask me about recommendations from friends or information received by mail or internet regarding "wellness" programs or supplements. Unfortunately, most of these are ineffective medically, generally deceptive, or even worse, harmful. 

I recently read a new book on this topic, written by Christy Harrison, a registered dietitian and host of the Food Psych podcast. In her new book, The Wellness Trap: Break Free From Diet Culture, Disinformation, and Dubious Diagnoses, and Find Your True Well-Being, Harrison compiled nine years of research on the wellness industry, which is mostly about sales & marketing and avoids scientific fact. Her writing reveals some ways to check out wellness claims.

Be skeptical of "educational" (i.e. promotional) information featuring these buzzwords:

Miracle, breakthrough or secret: Also look out if you notice conspiracy terms such as "hidden information that they don't want to tell you"

Biohack: We can't reprogram our bodies like a computer. Health involves not only the physical but also your mental health, your social life & your  economic wellbeing.

Detox: The wellness industry regards the colon, liver & kidneys as filters clogged with "toxins" which need to be cleansed. Of course these organs have developed to perform their functions automatically, without supplements or remedies.

Natural: Wellness advocates talk a lot about the evils of the pharmaceutical industry. But some "natural" supplements have side effects that rival prescription drugs, and are often not known since the supplement industry is unregulated. And if there was a "natural" cure for cancer or other illnesses, why would the medical profession want to keep that information hidden?

Also be suspicious of claims that a single food or nutrient can drastically improve your health. We all need a balanced diet of  healthy food to stay well. Before making any changes to your diet or lifestyle, investigate the source by asking: “How does the person sharing the content stand to benefit? What are their credentials? What’s their agenda?”

 Fact check those claims! Look to reputable sources like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, the National Institutes of Health and other agencies and organizations that focus on public health. If possible, trace the claims back to a primary source like a study. A good example “adrenal fatigue,” a popular diagnosis in alternative medicine, is not an actual diagnosis. Not finding anything is a red flag -- the statement "science hasn't caught up" to the unique treatment offered usually means unproven.

The old adage, Buyer Beware, applies more than ever.