What does Wellness mean to you? The World Health Organization defines it as: “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” It involves consciously making improvements to lifestyle, outlook, environment, belief systems and values to achieve your full potential and to help those around you do the same at home, in the workplace and in the community.
However, if you search the internet, you will find two types of “wellness” advice:
Information on wellness (sometimes referred to as lower case “wellness”) …solid advice on ways to promote health and prevent illness, backed by scientific evidence. It includes good nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress reduction and more, and essentially means the opposite of illness.
Promotional material on Wellness Products (Wellness with a capital “W”) …products often making pseudo-scientific health claims with sketchy proof and often marketed with a high price tag! The Wellness business is a billion-dollar industry…
How can you tell the difference when you’re reading a web page? I use two simple ways:
1. Who posted the information?
Is the web page associated with a large health organization, government or university? The goal of these organizations is generally to share information and promote public health. They have no financial incentive to hide negative information or exaggerate the positive effects of a wellness strategy.
Does the author have any credentials or experience as a health professional? While credentials are not entirely necessary (a good writer will get all the facts and present them in an unbiased way), it means they will likely have better background knowledge.
Where did the information originate? Look for references. Is it backed by scientific studies? A well referenced web page will have links to background studies that support what they are saying. Studies usually have a little summary at the beginning, called an “abstract” that is a brief description of the study. I also look at where it was published – many large medical organizations publish journals with information for their members that usually well researched.
2. Who paid for it?
The second thing I look for on a web page is, who paid to publicize the information, and whose advertising is displayed with the article. I learned a good lesson over 20 years ago when the internet was just starting up. The doctors next door asked if I could supply them with information about the herbal medicine, St. John’s Wort. I quickly found what looked like a perfect article on the internet. My pharmacy student, who was more tech-savvy than me, didn’t say a word…she just scrolled down and pointed to the advertisement for St. John’s Wort. An “aha” moment for me!
With a more critical look, I noticed the site described the herb as “safer than aspirin” and, while many would interpret this as saying it is very safe, as a pharmacist I know that aspirin can cause internal bleeding in some people. The site wasn’t being open and honest in an effort to increase sales, and chances were good they were hiding other important, but negative, information. I subscribed to an independent herbal website after that so I could easily access unbiased information about natural medicines.
So, whether your reason for looking for wellness information or alternative medicines is wanting to stay healthy and active as you age, or to address a need that is unmet by the medical system, don’t be taken in by marketing strategies for Wellness products. Know that a vitamin is a vitamin – they are all the same chemical structure – so there is no reason to pay $90 for a month’s supply when you can always buy good quality vitamins from a reputable manufacturer at your local pharmacy. When looking for health information on the internet, choose an academic or health-center site rather than one sponsored by a product manufacturer. Know when you’re being marketed to and be a savvy shopper.
But also make sure any alternative treatment is an addition to good medical care and not a replacement for it. Consider natural treatments as complementary to your medical treatment rather than a true “alternative”. Nothing can replace good medical care.
So, talk to your doctor about any non-prescription medications you are taking, even if they are being recommended by another health professional. While they may not have learned about it in medical school, they can help you evaluate the information you are reading and ensure there is no interference with any health condition you may have. Your pharmacist may be your most accessible health professional and they can help ensure you avoid conflicts with medications you are already taking. They also have access to scientific references on alternative and complementary products. Ask if they can find some solid information to share with you.
Talking with your doctor and pharmacist about non-prescription choices is a great way to start a conversation around your health goals and how best to achieve them. The internet can be a wonderful source of information but it’s best when used in consultation with your doctors, pharmacists, and other health professionals.
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