Fitness

The 3 Biggest Supplement Rip-Offs Every Woman Should Know

February 19, 2018 by Lisa Cupido
shefinds | Fitness

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Nutritional supplements can seem too good to be true — and that’s often because they aren’t the real deal.

If a pill makes promises that seem unrealistic (drop 10 pounds in four ways! Never deal with another pimple again in your life!) you should run, not walk the other way. But there are also times when you think you’re doing the best thing for your body with supplements, but are actually wasting money and time on elixirs that won’t give you the results you’re hoping to get. Here are three of the biggest supplement rip-offs every woman should know.

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They Make Outlandish Promises

No supplement is a miracle in a bottle. Supplements are little more than supplementary trace amounts of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that provide a slight enhancement. Some vitamin supplements are only effective if you're deficient in that vitamin and will provide no additional benefits if you're already getting that nutrient from food. 

 

With that in mind, if a supplement pill or powder makes claims that it can make you lose weight fast, give you "flawless" skin, or take the place of a workout, don't believe it. 

 

Photos: Shutterstock 

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Labels Can Be Deceiving

Just because a label claims it contains specific ingredients doesn't always mean it does. A lawsuit was brought against GNC, Walmart, Walgreens, and Target a few years ago after it was discovered that 20 percent of its herbal supplements contained fillers instead of all of the ingredients listed on their labels. GNC has since implemented a more rigorous testing procedure on its supplements, but, generally speaking, the supplement industry is loosely regulated. 

 

Bottom line: if you want to take supplements, it may be a better idea to confer with a doctor or nutritionist you trust who can recommend quality brands, rather than take a swing at it without guidance.

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Your Supplement Contains A 'Proprietary Blend'

Ever wonder what is meant by "proprietary blend" on your supplement bottle's label or why you've agreed to pay top dollar and be kept in the dark about what you're putting into your body?

 

Yeah, about that: proprietary blend is a lovely term sometimes used to conceal the fact that you're not getting as much of a nutrient or herb as you may think. Sure, some companies use the term because they want to protect their formula from competitors, but at the end of the day, you're making a choice that affects your body and health. Unless you love a product and it works for you, opt for clarity on labels. 

 

Author:

Lisa Fogarty is a lifestyle writer and reporter based in New York who covers health, wellness, relationships, sex, beauty, and parenting.

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