Are You Being Scammed? Learn 3 Helpful Ways to Avoid Bad Wellness Trends.

Every year, I receive dozens of calls and emails from people who see a health trend and suddenly believe it is the panacea to all their health problems.

Have you ever met or spoken to someone who swears their new health supplement will change your life?

In some cases, perhaps the new health product or trend helped in ways. But if not, then chances are they were duped into one of the thousands of online health scams selling ineffective products with BIG unrealistic promises.

If you or someone you know have been suckered into buying terrible health products/services, it’s time to learn a few tips to avoid being scammed into wasting your money.

3 Red-Flags to Watch Before You Buy

1.) Promotes Product or Service As Being a Cure-All:

Buyer beware if you see the health brand or company promoting a product or protocol to fully CURE cancer, HIV/AIDS, herpes infections, Alzheimer’s, autoimmunity, etc.

Avoid the mistake of chasing a fantasy because you struggle to accept the truth of your diagnosis. Yes, there are ways to address those types of serious illnesses naturally, but believing in a one-size-fits-all approach is always suspicious in my opinion, as we all have unique factors that deserve personalized considerations.

Additionally, you should be able to find supportive research and evidence outside of what is on their website or social media page. This includes checking for bad reviews and consumer complaints.

Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, chances are it is and you’re being scammed.

2.) No Valid Research and 3rd Party Lab Analysis:

The best products and wellness support are backed by science, credible references, and lab analyses. These tools help determine if the composition of the product and application of it provides consistent results.

If the company fails to show peer-reviewed published research, lab analysis reports, or other credible medical and scientific sources backing it, then you cannot be certain of what you’re buying is effective.

Transparency is currency in health and medicine. If what they say really works, there should be a clear scientific documentation trail to back their claims.

Watch out for sellers without an established scientific or medical background. Although there are shady doctors who scam too, most of the false hype come from folks who don’t have any authentic certifications, degrees or licensing to actually practice. Always research to prove the credentials are legit.

3.) Uses FOMO to Drive An Impulse Purchase:

A common tool in predatory marketing is to drive your impulse to buy by creating a false environment of urgency. If the ad, website or video is telling you to buy this supplement or protocol NOW, or miss out forever, then you’re likely being scammed.

Great products and businesses know that people will buy when they are ready to buy.

If a product or service is legit about helping people, there will always be an opportunity for a consumer to participate after conducting proper research.

Scammers know they have a short time frame to market and sell before: 1.) a smart consumer figures out they are full of shit, or 2.) the scam is shutdown by regulators. So never get caught up in F.O.M.O (fear of missing out). True natural wellness requires time, consistency and flexibility for best effects.

There are always new health scams and faulty products being marketed. Limit your risk of being duped by:

• Always speaking with your doctor first before starting any new health regimen or product. Good docs can tell when a health trend is bogus.
• Avoid overseas retailers as they aren’t subject to the same regulation and legal enforcement as U.S. companies. There is a higher chance of product contamination.
• Try not to let fear or desperation to feel better rule you in decision-making.

Usually, the worst decisions are made when we feel helpless, frightened, and ignorant about our options.

Always take time to visit resources such as:

• PubMed to check the research database to verify health claims.
• Environmental Working Group to suss out toxic products.
• Hire an expert such as a licensed naturopathic doctor or functional medicine doctor to help you make smart wellness decisions.

Thank you for reading our inaugural post, and feel free to like, comment or learn more about Dr. Ray here.