The Other Side Of Oz

The Other Side Of Oz

In the past, I have written about the positive side of supplements and how I believe that some really do work well. Now, I would like to tell to you about the other side of the supplement world. It should come as no surprise that supplement companies are trying to make money just like everyone else and, I guess, you can’t really give them a hard time for that. Wouldn’t you want your company to make money and lots of it? Although I don’t think that all supplement companies are evil empires, it is the misleading and sometimes flat out dishonest tactics of some supplement companies that has lead me to write this “buyer beware” blog. I still stand by my statement that some supplements are good, but you have to know how to weed through the ever growing mounds of hype in the multi-billion dollar business to get to the good stuff.

So, how do you know what’s good, what’s over priced, and what is just plain bogus? Well, you can start by looking at the physical ingredients listed on the label. It sounds so simple but it does eliminate a lot of the hype. Just because your favorite bodybuilder endorses a certain brand doesn’t necessarily make it this best quality product for your money. Sometimes the lesser known companies can offer the exact same product for a better value. This is easy to find the best deal if you know the exact make up of what you are looking for. After all, micronized creatine monohydrate is what it is no matter who makes it. It becomes a little harder when you are looking at something new to you or when you are trying to get the new and improved version of a proven product. Let’s take protein powder as an example. Although protein powder has been one of the most basic supplements since the beginning of time, all protein is not created equal and there are new and sometimes improved protein products hitting the shelves every day. So, again, how do you know how pick one when everyone says theirs is best? We’ll come back to this later.

Have you ever picked up a muscle magazine and thought you were reading an article on the latest breakthrough in supplementation only to find out it was a 10-page advertisement? How about the ads with the before and after pictures using every trick in the book to make them look bad before and good after? Companies that use these kinds of tactics cannot be trusted. It’s a shame too because they do spend a lot of money on research and are usually the first ones to come out with the new and improved products but they also sell so many products that are all hype and a total waste of money that even a picture of the current Mr. O on the bottle couldn’t get me to buy their brand. Beware of the hype!!! Anything that sounds too good to be true probably is. If a company will flat out lie to you, they certainly will have no problem overcharging you for their legitimate products.

I will not tell you that you can never buy your supplements from the mall because I have done it myself. However, I will tell you that if you do you are probably paying too much for them. If you know that and treat the supplement store in the mall like a convenience store, then that’s ok. Just know that you can find much better deals at the independent health food stores or online.

Now, let’s get back to finding the best protein powder for your money. There are so many types of protein that it can be overwhelming. Sometimes it is necessary to research the different types of protein available to find out which would work best for you. How do you do that? If you are reading this blog, you are already on the Information Highway. Look on the forums and do a search for what ever you want to know. Ask questions about protein powders from different sources and compare the answers. I’ll even tell you what works best for me. I like a blend made up from whey protein concentrate, whey protein isolate, and hydrolyzed whey protein. Once you find out the best ingredients for you, then you shop for the best quality product for the best price. Remember, if you want the best price don’t buy from the mall or from the big hype companies. I hope you find what you are looking for at the right price