Product Reviews

When they consider making an expensive purchase or embarking on a course of supplements for better health, consumers often turn to product reviews. They use these to determine if products are good enough and to find out, if so, then why? If not, then why not? Can these reviews be trusted? When it comes to health product reviews, you really have to be careful about which sources you rely on.

Review Sources

The first and most obvious place consumers see health food and supplement reviews is on product sites. Brands post customer comments regarding their products but are not obliged to post all reviews. They can pick out the good ones and leave out the bad ones.

In-house and contracted writers are sometimes paid to write positive comments about a company’s pills, powders, and creams while the same individuals are sometimes paid a fee to write negatively about other company’s supplements. It is difficult to know what to believe, especially on brand-specific websites.

Even sites that are run by magazines and blogs by consumers expose bias and are paid to promote one or more products. The only truly objective write-ups come from non-partisan writers; people on health sites where general topics are covered or unflinching consumer review sources where reports are posted by experts. These are doctors, dentists, and other health care specialists whose sole purpose is to educate the public without selling anything.

Reviewing Language

Another way to determine if a write-up is truly objective is to explore language for meaning. Vague descriptors which do not really explain anything are not to be trusted. Who conducted so-called scientific studies and when? How many participants were involved? Did a reputable university or medical center take part in the study? Do not believe everything you read or, if it is believable, at least ask further questions.

Look for specifics that pertain to more than the flavor or price of an item. Find out the full story: sure, this item contains Garcinia Cambogia and another one contains Vitamin B12: what else is in these supplements?

Beware of hyperbole. Exaggerated claims for or criticisms against health supplements are unprofessional and meaningless.

Product Specifics

Commonly reviewed products in the health market include cleansers, multi-vitamins, fiber supplements, protein drinks, and weight loss items (shakes, pills, and bars). According to scientific and consumer-based research sources, a lot of them are useless or nearly useless, at least when it comes to their supposed purpose. You might enjoy some positive side effects from using a weight loss product containing additional calcium, but that is not what you paid for.

Read ingredients then research them yourself. How many milligrams daily is enough to produce results? Are there additives which make a product taste or look good but which you wish not to consume?

Some products list surprising ingredients, especially considering they fall into the category of “health food” or “health supplements.” These include sugars, colorants, and gluten. Sugar replacements are sometimes as bad as real sugar, or worse. When children are taking these items or food allergies are involved, it is especially important to be aware of all ingredients. Sensitivity to colorants is common among children, especially those with ADHD.

Formats of Health Product Reviews

Reliable sites usually list several items without links to special online offers. They give products percentages or star values and go into detail about what they liked or disliked about a product. For instance, a fiber supplement might have been tasty and easy to take. Instead of causing diarrhea, the result might have been the smooth and slow release of constipation or reduction of loose stools without gastrointestinal pain.

Weight loss products are the worst for misleading clients into believing they can magically reduce weight and lose fat. As with most products, reviewers need time to try out the pill or shake and learn more about any associate program of exercise or diet that goes with it. Few “miracle” weight loss supplements actually work in spite of all the hype around them.

Consumers will be looking for side effects. These can include headaches, nausea, rashes, or other allergic symptoms. In certain instances, supplements can cause even more severe problems, so it is best to delve into these possibilities before spending money. Also, examine the label for signs that USP ingredients have been used and if you do not know what something is, look it up.