How to Get Ripped Off - Guaranteed!
Bogus exercise equipment and nutrition scams have been assaulting us for about as long as anyone can remember. According to author Dr. James Harvey Young, the scams date back as early as 1630. That was the year Nicholas Knopp of Massachusetts Bay was fined five pounds for vending, as a cure for scurvy, nothing more than high-priced water.

Flash forward to 2007 and the bogus claims of many exercise and nutrition products continue to be just as bold. Indeed, according to FTC chairman Timothy J. Muris, "For years, marketers of diet and exercise products have been preying on overweight, out-of-shape consumers by hawking false hope in a pill, false hope in a bottle, and, now, in a belt."

Muris goes on to state, "Unfortunately, there are no magic pills, potions, or pulsators for losing weight and getting into shape. The only winning combination is changing your diet and exercise." This announcement came on the heels of a bold move by the FTC when they pulled infomercials for three separate electronic abdominal workout belts.

Below are five tips from Stephen Barrett's 10 Ways To Avoid Being Quacked to help you protect yourself from exercise and nutrition foolery:
  1. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is. You've heard it before but it's the best medicine for consumers prone to bouts of naivety.
  2. Seeing isn’t always believing. Promoters of quackery go to great lengths to make sure the demonstrations (and there can be lots of them) look convincing and not outlandish.
  3. Beware of pseudo-scientific jargon and claims that a supplement or herb will remedy a serious disease or act as a cure-all. Speak with your physician about current medications and changing your diet before taking supplements. The Food and Drug Administration does not require makers of dietary supplements to demonstrate their products are safe or effective.
  4. Look out for conspiracy theories and secret cures. Statements that the government or pharmaceutical industries are withholding information or products that could help millions of people just doesn't make sense. If the product in question is legit, it would go against their capitalistic best interests to suppress it.
  5. Quackery thrives on desperation and vanity. Sometimes subtle, sometimes overt, marketers know people want to be admired and sexy. Doctors and the scientific community go to great lengths to insure your safety before recommending medicines. Listen to their advice and do some research before taking an action contrary to accepted wisdom and sound medical practice.
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Member Comments

ARTJAC
THANKS Report
MIYAMO
Healthy eating and exercise is the only way. Report
SUNSET09
And we still fall for us to this day, SparkFriends. We need to do the work as the reward is so much greater, than to realize you're still where you were before you got jacked. Report
ETHELMERZ
So many of these fads start out with one book, and go on from there...... Report
DWROBERGE
Great article Report
YMWONG22
Good article. Report
REDROBIN47
This is a good article. I learned a long time ago to"let the buyer beware." I dislike being untrusting but our society has made it necessary. Report
-POOKIE-
People are ALWAYS ready to believe in a gimmick than face the reality of hard work needed. Report
CACUJIN
Might be a good time for members to realize that fad diets are scams as well. Keto, Paleo, Low carb, no carb... If the diet leaves out a food group or nutrient, it is not a good diet. Unfortunately, Sparkpeople members fall for these diets. They don't work, but desperation encourages them to keep finding proof that they do. Report
KATONTHEMAT
Thanks for the tips. Even if I’m a sceptic at heart. I would want to see studies published in valid medical journals. Report
BILLTHOMSON
If I listened to every advertisement I would have a basement full of junk Report
CTYONIT
Just think of this quote by PT Barnum. "There's a sucker born every minute!"
Make sure it is not you! Report
JUDY1676
My motto is, if it seems to good to be true it's probably is to good to be true! Report
LAURA_LYNN
or the ones that are basically a pyramid scheme..."This company is a multi-million dollar corporation!" If their best marketing strategy is how much money they make, I'm leery. Report
JULIEINID
The easiest way to get ripped off is to read all the other articles SP posts about all their and their affiliates devices you need. Report


 

About The Author

Chris Stormann
Chris Stormann
Chris has a doctorate in social and behavioral sciences.
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