I would venture to assume that the majority of the population wants to be healthy. Very few people wake up in the morning and say, “Wow, I hope I got more fat today!” Or look in the mirror and say, “I don’t look obese enough for these jeans.” However, if the solution to our weight and health problems were simple, everyone would be slim and healthy. We could practically remove the diet and fitness section from all bookstores.

The challenge I see with available health and dietary solutions is that there are so many of them these days. It reminds me of the Bing “Search Overload” commercials where there is simply too much information and the message is lost. I have found my solution, but I am on a mission to help others find their own solutions. I don’t like that we are the fattest and least healthy nation on the planet, so I seek to alter that trend one person at a time.

I believe with all my heart that knowledge is power. The more you know, the better positioned you will be to make good and smart decisions. One of my goals has always been to identify tools to help others make these decisions. With that thought in mind, I offer a few more tools for the toolbox.

To be an insightful consumer of all that is healthy and good for you, it is important that you understand the “language” of health supplements. Anyone can read the back of a protein shake bottle or dietary supplement; however, the beginner rarely understands what he is looking at. What is the difference between whey protein and calcium caseinate? Is olive oil powder really that good for you? What is Yucca Root anyway? Knowing the answers to these questions can be very helpful. However, if you feel like you’re reading stereo instructions written in Portuguese (and can’t read Portuguese), you may never invest in something that can help you achieve your fitness goals. Therefore, I recommend that you do your own research. That said, I’ve done a bit of research for you. Here are some ingredients that you may come across.

Ionic Alfalfa

Ionic alfalfa has long been used as a cleaning agent.

Ashwagandha

Studies show that this botanical can provide protection against free radicals, support the liver, and support mental and immune function.

Burdock root

Science suggests that this root can stimulate beneficial probiotic growth in the intestinal tract.

Pau D’Arco

Pau D’Arco can promote a healthy balance of gut bacteria and support proper gastrointestinal function.

aloe vera

Most people have heard of the aloe vera plant and its external healing powers related to burns, but many are unaware of its internal health value. According to some scientists, aloe vera may contribute to healthy liver function by restoring the integrity of primary liver cells.

Mint leaf

Research has shown that peppermint leaf helps calm the digestive tract and supports gastrointestinal health.

Yellow duck

Yellow Dock has been shown to fight free radicals and can protect the gastric system through its antioxidant properties.

Root of Sum

Suma Root can help the body’s immune system.

Fennel seeds

Scientists have found that the Anethole in fennel seed oil benefits the cardiovascular system.

Licorice root

The antioxidant capacity of licorice root can help protect the liver.

Eleutherus

International scientists have determined that Eleutherococcus senticocus compounds may have a positive effect on cell defense, physical fitness, and lipid metabolism.

This list does not include all the ingredients that you can find in a health supplement; however, it is a start to learning what you are seeing the next time you read a label. You may have noticed that the word “may” is mentioned throughout this article. You may be wondering: “How can I trust a product that does not offer clear guarantees regarding its ingredients?” In fact, on most labels that identify the ingredients of health supplements, you will generally find disclaimers stating that the product has not been evaluated by the FDA. They will state that the products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Why are health supplement producers working to convince you of their product’s ability to deliver better health and wellness, and at the same time asking you not to assume the success of the product? The answer is simple. The moment a health product claims a specific health or medical outcome, two things happen.

1. The government requires research to support the claim. If the company that produces the supplement cannot verify your claim, the government closes it.

2. The company that produces the product is sued for making claims that it cannot confirm and is forced to stop making the claim … even if the claim is probably true.

So this raises another question. Why aren’t supplement companies just doing the research necessary to demonstrate their product’s potential? The answer is what distinguishes supplement companies like GNC, MetRX, and Isagenix from pharmaceutical companies like Pharma, Johnson and Johnson, and Abbot Labs. Much of the inherent cost of producing pharmacological drugs comes from the research that is necessary to test the drugs. company claims before the product hits the shelves. In addition to this cost, the complex research and testing process keeps consumers with potentially transformative products for years … if not decades. This is why many scientists, such as Dr. William H. Andrews and his research on telomeres, have turned to natural supplements rather than chemicals to achieve results in the laboratory. Rather than relying on a report or study to show that their new drug does what they claim, supplement scientists rely on word of mouth among consumers to sell their products. The advantage to you is that you are not paying for all that research. In the process, you can find a product that solves a health or fitness related problem without spending a fortune.

Ultimately, it is important to remember this fact. We have become a nation of one pill for every evil. The medications we take can create additional problems that require additional medications. Many Americans eventually find themselves taking dozens of pills every day … many of them for the purpose of counteracting what the other pills do to them. Doesn’t it make sense to find natural products (which are normally found in the body anyway) to achieve our healthy desires?