Don't Get Duped: A Consumer's Guide to Health and Fitness

In the health and fitness industry truth is a scarce commodity, charges Dr. Larry M. Forness. American consumers, exposed to a daily barrage of hype and misinformation about all the products and services that claim to make them healthier and more attractive, annually spend forty billion dollars needlessly on a cornucopia of vitamins, minerals, herbal supplements, ergogenic aids, fitness equipment, and alternative healthcare treatments. In this "survival manual," Forness's goal is to teach consumers the critical tools to make them more knowledgeable about these questionable items.

The topics covered include the real meaning of "scientifically proven," methods for quantitatively analyzing such claims as "more energy" and "improved strength," alternative healthcare treatments vs. hard science, fad diets, aging remedies, abuse of the labels "certified" and "licensed," plus an extremely useful glossary explaining commonly used marketing terms. To reinforce his message, Forness has originated the "Bozo du Jour Award," bestowed on various individuals, groups, or companies that have created or participated in misleading advertising, or have done something that could harm consumers.

Before you begin yet another weight loss or fitness program or buy the next healthcare product, you owe it to yourself to read what Dr. Forness has to say.

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Don't Get Duped: A Consumer's Guide to Health and Fitness

In the health and fitness industry truth is a scarce commodity, charges Dr. Larry M. Forness. American consumers, exposed to a daily barrage of hype and misinformation about all the products and services that claim to make them healthier and more attractive, annually spend forty billion dollars needlessly on a cornucopia of vitamins, minerals, herbal supplements, ergogenic aids, fitness equipment, and alternative healthcare treatments. In this "survival manual," Forness's goal is to teach consumers the critical tools to make them more knowledgeable about these questionable items.

The topics covered include the real meaning of "scientifically proven," methods for quantitatively analyzing such claims as "more energy" and "improved strength," alternative healthcare treatments vs. hard science, fad diets, aging remedies, abuse of the labels "certified" and "licensed," plus an extremely useful glossary explaining commonly used marketing terms. To reinforce his message, Forness has originated the "Bozo du Jour Award," bestowed on various individuals, groups, or companies that have created or participated in misleading advertising, or have done something that could harm consumers.

Before you begin yet another weight loss or fitness program or buy the next healthcare product, you owe it to yourself to read what Dr. Forness has to say.

24.99 In Stock
Don't Get Duped: A Consumer's Guide to Health and Fitness

Don't Get Duped: A Consumer's Guide to Health and Fitness

by Larry M. Forness
Don't Get Duped: A Consumer's Guide to Health and Fitness

Don't Get Duped: A Consumer's Guide to Health and Fitness

by Larry M. Forness

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Overview

In the health and fitness industry truth is a scarce commodity, charges Dr. Larry M. Forness. American consumers, exposed to a daily barrage of hype and misinformation about all the products and services that claim to make them healthier and more attractive, annually spend forty billion dollars needlessly on a cornucopia of vitamins, minerals, herbal supplements, ergogenic aids, fitness equipment, and alternative healthcare treatments. In this "survival manual," Forness's goal is to teach consumers the critical tools to make them more knowledgeable about these questionable items.

The topics covered include the real meaning of "scientifically proven," methods for quantitatively analyzing such claims as "more energy" and "improved strength," alternative healthcare treatments vs. hard science, fad diets, aging remedies, abuse of the labels "certified" and "licensed," plus an extremely useful glossary explaining commonly used marketing terms. To reinforce his message, Forness has originated the "Bozo du Jour Award," bestowed on various individuals, groups, or companies that have created or participated in misleading advertising, or have done something that could harm consumers.

Before you begin yet another weight loss or fitness program or buy the next healthcare product, you owe it to yourself to read what Dr. Forness has to say.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781573929226
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date: 12/01/2001
Pages: 358
Product dimensions: 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Dr. Larry M. Forness is the founder of the National Center for Sports Medicine and is currently Adjunct Professor of Public Health at American Military University.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments9
Disclaimer11
Introduction13
1.How and Why You Get Duped: The Head Game19
2.The Scientific Method: How to Prove What Is the Truth45
3.How You Can Measure the Claims and the Results: The Quantitative versus the Qualitative67
4.Vitamins: The Good, the Bad, and the Expensive81
5.Minerals: Women Are at Risk Here113
6.Ergogenic Supplements: A Lucrative New Class of Potential Killers141
7.Herbal Supplements: Can You Handle the Truth?169
8.Fitness Equipment: Helpful, Harmful, or Hype?187
9.Apparel: Is It Just for Show?209
10."Professional" Advice: Who You Can and Who You Can't Trust227
11.Licensed, Registered, and Certified: Politics, Puffery, or Professional?245
12.Special Chapter: Weight Loss: Can't Anybody Spell "P-e-r-m-a-n-e-n-t"?259
13.Special Chapter: Aging: What It Is; How to Slow It Down; How to Reverse It; and How to Measure the Change285
14.The Checklists: Follow These and You Won't Get Duped307
Appendix AWomen's Biomarkers of Aging Score Sheets311
Appendix BMen's Biomarkers of Aging Score Sheets317
Glossary323
Bibliography341
Index351
About the Author357
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