Social media is such an integral part of our lives and nowadays, almost everyone is some type of influencer. But how credible are these influencers? Researchers found that 90% of influencers are sharing false health and wellness information with us!
If you go on any social media platform look for fitness, nutrition, or other wellness advice, everyone has something to offer. Trained professionals use evidence-based science to make sure what they’re recommending is actually going to work for you. Others will share the products that sponsor them or tips that worked for their friend but probably won’t work for anyone else. In the meantime, you’re spending tons of money to have super nutrient-dense pee. So how do you weed out bogus from fact?
1. Check the Credentials
Everyone thinks they are qualified to tell you what to eat or how to workout but without proper education, their google search could cause real harm. Credible sources for health and wellness information include registered dietitians, physicians, physical therapists, exercise physiologists, and certified personal trainers. (Notice how all of these require an advanced degree/training beyond their bachelors degree and a certification exam?) Did you know that most doctors have only ever taken 1 course in nutrition unless they had a bachelor’s degree in nutrition before going to med school? So even they might not be the best source.
Non-credible sources include nutrition coaches, your trainer at the gym, health and wellness counselors, and your neighbor. Most of these sources require very little training or education, if any, to obtain the title. Not sure if the credentials add up to an expert? Search the credentials online and see what type of education is required.
2. Verify the Claims Being Made
There are no magic fixes that will instantly make you lose 20 pounds or magically cure your hormonal imbalance. Ask yourself if they are promoting the product because it really works as advertised or because of the commission they receive. T
This is also a good time to look at research on the product. If there is scientific evidence that a supplement works, there will be studies on it conducted by researchers outside the company. If you’re not sure how to go about researching the claims being made, reach out to a credentialed professional as mentioned above. The quote “good things take time” comes to mind in these situations, if someone is promising you something that seems too good to be true, it’s probably best to stay away.
3. Is this Intended to be Long Term?
In most circumstances, products claiming rapid results work because they are only intended for use for a specified period of time. Anyone will lose weight only eating 1000 calories a day but how long can they last like that? A workout program that promises a toned body in a month is only that, something that works for a month. What happens when you complete the program or diet? Most people go back to exactly what they were doing before and the results vanish.
Real, evidence-based nutrition and exercise programs are intended to be sustainable long-term, to become lifestyle habits. In very limited circumstances I’ve seen temporary dietary recommendations or exercises, always supervised by a professional and always with a long-term follow-up plan.
While many influencers falsely advertise quick fixes but gain huge followings, there are also many trained professionals following along, debunking these fads. We are happy to help you, but you need to be ready to make the commitment to life-long, sustainable health. Taking an extra 30 seconds to look for credentials, extravagant claims and the duration is all it takes!
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