Be Well
“He who buys what he does not need steals from himself.” – Swedish proverb
The good news: We are celebrating our country’s 243rd birthday! (And I might say that despite not being perfect our country has always been great!) The bad news: This great country of ours is one of the most obese countries on our planet … and spending billions of consumer dollars in our quest to get in better shape.
There is so much advertising and promotion for products we often purchase with the very good intent to help our bodies become healthier and better fit. Many ads, articles and businesses promote a particular “health” product that is “guaranteed to make losing weight faster/easier” etc. I am first in line to say that I am not a legal expert, but I would never promote general suggestions for a supplement purchase that could be detrimental to anyone’s health issues who may be purchasing those items. Professional advice regarding any side effects or at least a disclaimer would be most appropriate to add to any marketing piece.
The particular supplements that are being promoted could be contraindicated for anyone who is pregnant, diabetic or pre-diabetic, who is within two weeks of a surgical procedure, who may have blood clotting issues, taking certain prescription drugs, or have heart irregularities. There are many people who fall within those parameters who might be persuaded to purchase a supplement or substance, and begin using that item without the knowledge of their physician or licensed health care practitioner. Complications from usage or over-usage of supplements are an important issue to consider in our quest to become healthier.
Additionally any nutrition consultant should, without fail, encourage their clients to obtain a full physical and discuss with their physician their intent to work with a nutrition/wellness consultant or coach. I actually insist upon this when working with my clients. If there is any indication by their physician that they may be pre-diabetic or have other serious health issues it is critical to know this going forward. That information may preclude the client from working with the nutrition consultant until those conditions have been addressed by the physician. Additionally, the nutrition consultant should be advised of any prescription medications that the client may be taking upon advice of their physician.
Look around: It is possible to get “advice” on losing weight, feeling better, gaining muscle, etc. from many sources. Most of us do not take our cars to a car wash to have them maintained or repaired or pour additives into our gas tank, so why would we readily consider casual recommendations on supplements which may not be in our best interests?
I believe that supplementation is warranted and helpful in many cases, but as stated above, the proper protocols should be followed.
If you consider working with a nutrition or wellness consultant, ask questions about their experience and training. Currently the State of Indiana does not require licensing for this profession. A nutrition consultant is not licensed to prescribe a specific diet to a client; only a licensed health care professional is authorized to do so. A nutrition and wellness coach can be very beneficial to a client who wishes to lose weight, feel better and stronger, and learn more about making better food choices. Most often a client’s plan will include behavioral changes and attitudes about food as well as changes in the food items the client selects.
Bottom line – proceed cautiously in your quest, do your own research, take responsibility for your food and supplement choices, and perhaps incorporate a nutrition and fitness coach to help you get started. After all, a good coach can make a difference in reaching your goals!
Sharon McMahon, CNWC
The opinions expressed in this article are not intended to replace advice of your personal physician or licensed health professional. Please consult your physician for any issues you may have related to nutrition or fitness activity.