I would venture to assume that the majority of the population wants to be healthy. Very few people wake up in the morning and say, “Wow, I hope to gain another pound today!” Or look in a mirror and say, “I just don’t look fat enough for these jeans.” However, if the solution to our weight and health problems were simple, we would all be slim and healthy. We could virtually eliminate the diet and fitness section of every bookstore.

The challenge I see for the health and dietary solutions available is that there are so many of them these days. It reminds me of the Bing “Search Overload” commercials where there is simply too much information and the message is lost. I have found my solution, but I am on a mission to help others find their own solutions. I don’t like that we’re the fattest, unhealthiest nation on the planet, so I’m looking to change that trend one person at a time.

I believe with all my heart that knowledge is power. The more you know, the better positioned you are to make good, smart decisions. One of my goals has always been to identify tools to help others make these decisions. With that thought in mind, I’m offering a few more tools for the toolbox.

To be a discerning consumer of all things healthy and good for you, it’s important that you understand the “language” of health supplements. Anyone can read the back of a protein shake bottle or dietary supplement; however, the beginner seldom understands what he is looking at. What is the difference between whey protein and calcium caseinate? Is powdered olive oil really that good for you? What is Yucca Root anyway? Knowing the answers to these questions can be very helpful. However, if you feel like you’re reading stereo instructions written in Portuguese (and you can’t read Portuguese), you may never invest in something that can help you achieve your fitness goals. Therefore, I recommend that you do your own research. That said, I’ve done some research for you. Here are some ingredients you may run into.

ionic alfalfa

Ionic alfalfa has long been used as a cleaning agent.

Ashwagandha

Studies show that this botanical may provide free radical protection, support the liver, and support mental and immune function.

burdock root

Science suggests this root may boost beneficial probiotic growth in the intestinal tract.

Paul D’Arco

Pau D’Arco may promote a healthy balance of gut bacteria, as well as support proper gastrointestinal function.

aloe vera

Most people have heard of the aloe vera plant and its external healing powers related to burns, but many are unaware of its value to internal health. According to some scientists, aloe vera may support healthy liver function by restoring the integrity of primary liver cells.

Mint leaf

Research has shown that peppermint leaf helps calm the digestive tract and supports gastrointestinal health.

yellow duck

Yellow Dock has been shown to fight free radicals and may protect the gastric system through its antioxidant properties.

root of sum

Suma Root can support the body’s immune system.

Fennel seeds

Scientists have discovered that the Anethole in fennel seed oil benefits the cardiovascular system.

licorice root

The antioxidant capacity of licorice root may help protect the liver.

eleuthero

International scientists have determined that compounds from Eleutherococcus senticocus can have a positive effect on cell defense, fitness and lipid metabolism.

This list does not include every ingredient you might find in a health supplement; however, it’s a start for knowing what you’re looking at the next time you read a label. You may have noticed that the word “can” is mentioned throughout this article. You may be wondering, “How can I trust a product that doesn’t offer clear guarantees on its ingredients?” In fact, on most labels that identify health supplement ingredients, you’ll usually find disclaimers stating that the product hasn’t been evaluated by the FDA. They will state that the products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Why do health supplement manufacturers work to convince you of their product’s ability to deliver better health and wellness, while asking you not to assume the products’ success? The answer is simple. The moment a health product claims a specific health or medical outcome, one of two things happens.

1. The government requires research to support the claim. If the company that produces the supplement cannot verify its claim, the government shuts it down.

2. The company that produces the product is sued for making claims it cannot confirm and is forced to stop making the claim…even if the claim is probably true.

This then raises another question. Why don’t supplement companies just do the necessary research to prove the potential of their product? The answer is what distinguishes supplement companies like GNC, MetRX, and Isagenix from pharmaceutical companies like Pharma, Johnson and Johnson, and Abbot Labs. Much of the inherent cost of producing pharmacologic drugs comes from the research required to prove claims. the company before the product hits the shelves. On top of this cost, the complex research and testing process keeps consumers off potentially life-changing products for years…if not decades. This is why many scientists, like Dr. William H. Andrews and his research on telomeres, turned to natural supplements rather than chemicals to achieve results in the lab. Instead of relying on a report or study to prove that their new drug does what they claim, supplement scientists rely on word of mouth among consumers to sell their products. The advantage for you is that you are not paying for all that research. In the process, you may find a product that solves a health or fitness-related problem without spending a fortune.

Ultimately, it is important to remember this fact. We have become a nation of one pill for each disease. The medications we take can create additional problems that require additional medications. Many Americans eventually find themselves taking dozens of pills every day…many of them for the purpose of counteracting what the other pills do to them. Doesn’t it make sense to find natural products (normally found in the body anyway) to achieve our healthy desires?