A Simple Defense Plan
Patrick Gamboa B.S.

The influx of products, supplements and paraphernalia promising "easy" and life altering results are everywhere. On a daily basis we are bombarded with sensory input attempting to mold us into what our culture deems acceptable. The repetitive images of the perfect human body are everywhere. Perfection as seen through the media is an impossible goal to live up to. This strive for perfection has many in society searching for an "easy" solution for the perfect body.


This desire for an "easy" solution is the driving force behind the multi-billion dollar fitness industry, which is continually growing. The industry thrives on individual hopes and dreams for life altering changes. Desperation to fill the mold of the perfect body places many in a vulnerable position. This vulnerability manifests itself as trust and purchasing power for the varying manufacturers and marketers. Unfortunately, the "easy" results manufacturers promise and trusting buyers are hoping for, rarely seem to be delivered. "Easy", as defined by the Webster II College revised Dictionary is capable of being accomplished or obtained with ease, free from worry, anxiety or pain.


The road to a fit lifestyle will not be free from pain or easily accomplished, but there is a "simple" plan for basic success. The plan consists of exercise, proper nutrition, rest, and diligence. How can we as consumers protect ourselves from erroneous manufacturing and marketing claims? This article will supply our readers with the knowledge to differentiate between facts and myths.


Testimonials to Support Claims
We have a tendency to believe what others tell us about their personal experiences. Whether it is about a favorite restaurant, hair salon, or book, separating cause and effect from coincidence can be difficult. Personal experience alone cannot determine whether a particular remedy is responsible for the remission of symptoms, because it never separates cause and effect from coincidence. The success of another is not a determining factor to your rate of success. Many of the "before and after" testimony is compiled from amateur bodybuilders who are in their off-season for the "before" photo, and 12 weeks later (the average time for contest preparation) miraculously transform themselves.


Quick, Dramatic or Miraculous Changes
Manufacturers usually cloak their promises in double-talk or are very vague so they can be denied or "explained" if the FDA investigates. The relationship between the product and the results is often implied rather than stated. A statement like, "would you like to drop two dress sizes in a week" is different than one that says "take Product X and it will make you drop two dress sizes in a week". According to U.S. law, the only illegal place to lie about a product is on the product label. Writing on the label is commercial speech, and fraud in commercial speech is a crime.


Pseudomedical Jargon, and Terms
Many times a manufacturer will turn to medical-sounding jargon instead of specific claims. You may see a claim like "product X will detoxify your body", "correct chemical imbalances", or "strengthen your natural immune defenses". Usually the company never identifies the nature of the toxin, imbalance, disharmony, or weakness. Nor does the company measure its quantity before and after treatment to show you what has been corrected.


Credentials and Degrees not Recognized by Responsible Scientist or Educators
We are fortunate to have a well-established system of accreditations by agencies recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education or the Council on Post secondary Accreditation. Be wary of anyone who uses unfamiliar degrees. It is an offense to call oneself a doctor or Ph.D. with a degree from a non-accredited institution in a handful of states.


Cures to Fad Diseases or Deficiencies
With the media pumping our society with scare tactics of diseases lingering around the corner, savvy marketers play on these fears and create solutions to non-existing problems. Common examples of fad diagnosis include mercury amalgam toxicity, yeast hypersensitivity, hyperactivity, joint pains and other ailments caused by food allergies. Very often, the diagnosis is based on tests, which are worthless for diagnosing a need for supplements or existence of food allergy but are falsely represented as diagnostic for such purposes. The FDA and a number of reputable medical and scientific organizations have deemed these tests worthless. Avoid anyone who sells such test and treatments for these purposes.


The Number Game
The manufacturers will use statistics and percentages to enhance their promises or claims. Many times protein manufacturers will mislead their consumers with claims like 120% better biological value than Product X ‘s whey protein. Biological value is based on a scale of 100%. Companies usually are referring to the chemical score of their protein compared to another on a scale of one to one hundred. Also, manufacturers are assuming that we as consumers will not check their claims mathematically. Research has shown that individuals can put on up to a pound of weight per week supplementing with 3g. of creatine monohydrate. Product X claims that their creatine is 1400% better than Product Y. This would mean that on Product X creatine you can gain 14 pounds of weight per week or up to 56 pounds a month. Ridiculous as it may sound, the number game is a valuable tool in the marketing arsenal.


Each year, Americans spend billions on the health and fitness industry. Ploys and gimmicks will most likely continue, but as consumers we must arm ourselves with knowledge. Knowledge is the best protection against fraudulent claims. We hope that this article supplied solid information, which can help you determine the validity of any given product or supplement.


If you have any questions or comments on this article, you can contact me at patrick@issaonline.com