We live in a golden age of wellness. The industry is about to hit $7 trillion by 2025. But with this rapid growth comes a tsunami of misinformation and questionable products. For every legitimate product on the market, there are also gallons of snake oil. As someone who has spent years in the wellness PR world, I’ve seen it all. The innovative, the inefficient – and the truly crazy. I learned to spot the real deal and spot the BS.
The good news is that you don’t need to be a doctor or fitness professional to make wise choices about your health. You just need to be curious and willing to do a little research to separate fact from fiction. In a sea of myths and promises surrounding wellness products, here are a few that I think are worth debunking immediately.
Myth: Wellness is all about expensive products and treatments
Ninety-five percent of the wellness habits that really matter are free.
Sleep, hydration, nutrition, exercise, sun, meditation. They cost you very little, so take advantage of these survival bonuses before spending a fortune on upgraded versions, such as hydrogen water devices.
If you haven’t encountered hydrogenated water yet, let me enlighten you. Hydrogenated water is water with extra hydrogen molecules added to it. It’s also probably a scam. A bottle of hydrogen-infused water can cost $200, about 400% more than regular water that already contains hydrogen. In fact, hydrogen is the first “H” in H2O. Rule of thumb: If a compound already lists an element in its chemical formula, it probably already contains a large amount of it.
I’m not saying there isn’t room for some expensive products. But before investing your weekly salary, make sure you have optimized the foundations that nature gave you.
Myth: There is a one-size-fits-all approach to well-being
No one should expect a wellness product to be a magic bullet. Take diets for example. Every year a new fad appears that promises to transform your body and increase your energy. But there is no single diet that suits everyone. I eat a primarily meat-based diet, consisting of fruits and vegetables. My wife is fully vegan. What is healthy for her is not necessarily healthy for me, and vice versa.
The same can be said for most wellness programs. What works for one person may fail for another, but thanks to advances in technology and a better understanding of individual biochemistry, we can now tailor approaches to each person’s unique needs. Wearable devices such as continuous glucose monitors or heart rate variability trackers provide valuable data on how your body responds to different inputs.
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So be wary of anything marketed as a one-size-fits-all solution, listen to your body as you experiment with changes to your routine, and use personalized data to confirm results.
Myth: You need to be an expert to make informed wellness choices
There is so much solid, well-researched nutrition information available online that the consumer no longer has an excuse for ignorance. Curiosity is the number one tool of the modern wellness consumer. Not an expensive trainer or nutritionist.
Of course, there was a time when health and wellness knowledge was the domain of experts. But with the Internet and various health tracking apps, it’s up to you to take personal control of your daily habits. You can learn about good nutrition, log your workouts, monitor your sleep, and track your vital signs.
Here’s the catch: When it comes to separating fact from fiction, references and motivations matter. The most reliable information usually comes from clinicians and doctors who are true experts in their field, backing up their claims with clinical studies rather than just personal experience. These are the voices you want to seek out: professionals whose primary goal is to advance medical knowledge, not sell products.
But simply saying you’re overwhelmed with options is a cop-out. If you don’t do research, no amount of hormone therapy, personalized nutrition, or health intervention will help you. It is your responsibility to take personal control of your daily habits. Today’s technology makes this easier than ever.
Myth: If it’s marketed as a wellness product, it must be good for you
Gummies are currently a popular supplement delivery system. This doesn’t mean they are healthy. Candy seems so harmless, but like many wellness products, it packages otherwise beneficial ingredients in unhealthy ways. Plus, it’s hard to have just one.
For example, creatine has been proven to be an effective supplement for muscle growth and sports and cognitive performancebut if you put it in a candy, you potentially have a problem. These gummies are often loaded with sugar and encourage overconsumption. You may think you’re making a healthy choice, but you end up eating a bunch of gummy bear candies because they’re so delicious.
The same goes for chips. High-protein, low-carb chips are healthier than a box of Pringles, but no one eats just one chip. The “health halo” effect can lead people to eat larger portions, thinking they are healthy. But portion size is one of the most important things to consider. Always read labels carefully and ask yourself if a fad delivery method actually meets your health goals.
Well-being is not about quick fixes. It’s about making smart, sustainable choices. There are no shortcuts, but there are long returns if you stay curious and consistent. Don’t believe the hype. Believe in yourself. Find out what your biomarkers are telling you and supplement accordingly.