3 Common Supplement Questions

3 Common Supplement Questions

Working on the floor directly with people looking for the right supplement I get some of the same questions over and over again.  Actually reading these three common questions may save your head from wondering what the people at your local health food store may tell you.  Read the following and if you have any further question leave m a comment below and I will answer it for you or at least try my best.

"I'm on medications does this interact?"

Just today I was asked this question by a customer who was looking at a supplement to ease her joint pain. I answered her question as I do to most people that ask this question:

"You will need to check with your doctor or pharmacist"

Although we have online resources and handbooks at our fingertips to determine whether supplements will interact with meds, I use it only as a reference and not a tell all to determine whether you can freely use a supplement or not.
Try this-
Buy the supplement (make sure the store you shop at has a return policy) and take it to your pharmacist or doctor so he/she can look carefully at the ingredients to make the
assessment whether or not you can take the supplement or not.

"How much weight will I lose?"

The most common question I get when selling any weight lose supplements.  It's a great question but I can't answer this question.  Everyone is completely different and so are their your habits.  Weight loss supplements work well but you still need quality water intake, eat every 3-4 hours and exercise.  Without the fundamentals a weight loss supplement will not do what is is suppose to.
Think of it this way, it's like expecting your car to move really fast without gas or oil but adding high performance tires, your car will not move forward unless you give t the fundamentals.  You need the whole package when trying to lose weight with supplements.

When doing everything properly, eating right, drinking enough water and adding an exercise program. Expected weight loss can be 0.5- 2.5 lbs per week.  Any more weight loss and you maybe compromising muscle.

"I've tried everything and nothing works!"

This is a very interesting claim that many people make and although they may be right that they have tried everything and it hasn't worked for them has to do with a few things:

1.  They did not take the product daily for 4-6 weeks as directed
2.  They didn't complement the supplement with healthy practices (ex. healthy foods, exercise and stress reduction)
3.  They may not be treating the right health issue.

I am a firm believer that if something has affected your health and you have had no success in treating it yourself after 3 months to consult a doctor or better yet invest in a naturopathic doctor. 
I've seen way to many customers spend hundreds trying to treat themselves with no luck. It sometimes can be easier to consult a naturopathic doctor for one or two visits an truly treat the problem correctly.

Questions are a normal pert of life but sometimes we are afraid to ask.  Shopping at a well established health food store can truly help you understand supplements.  And remember I'm always available to answer your questions s please let me know what you need to know and I'll be happy to answer your questions.

Stay healthy and stay motivated
Shane Chartrand