When it comes to the world of health, there is a lot of confusion about natural treatments. There are many companies and individuals who are trying to sell something and will say just about anything to do so. With this comes ‘natural’ cures for complex diseases. It’s important to recognize the difference between a natural approach to improving your health and natural ‘solutions’ that are being sold as a magic pill.
When it comes to natural treatments, diet and exercise absolutely can improve a persons health and help improve numerous illnesses and diseases. This doesn’t necessarily have to mean weight loss; sometimes just eating more whole foods filled with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals and avoiding processed sugary foods is enough to notice improvement. While calorie restriction has been shown to help certain diseases, it doesn’t mean losing weight is the only avenue for improving overall health. However, when people mention natural cures to diseases they are usually not talking about diet and exercise, they are usually talking about supplements.
The supplement industry has become a billion dollar industry largely due to the publics desire to believe a product can produce significant results even without concrete evidence. While most reputable manufacturers avoid making outlandish claims, there are still some companies that aim to deceive and sell products with false claims. The truth is:
- There are no supplements that will cause you to lose weight without eating right or exercising;
- There are no supplements that will cure Diabetes, Parkinsons, Alzheimers, Cancer, or any other disease
- Supplements are not meant to cure, treat, diagnose, or prevent any disease.
However,
- Some supplements can help with certain symptoms
- Some supplements can help with improving cholesterol
- Some supplements can provide a placebo effect and may help a person continue towards their goals
- As long as supplements are not used in place of conventional treatment, they are generally safe to take and won’t make your disease worse.
Supplements are meant to be exactly what the name infers, a supplement to other treatment options. They are not meant to replace treatment or be used exclusively for treating any condition. Under the right supervision, supplements and dietary products can be a useful tool to help a person work towards a healthier lifestyle; but they are not a replacement for traditional medical treatment.
Always consult your doctor when starting a new supplement or health plan and follow all their instructions.