As you search and shop for bodybuilding supplements and foods in general, be skeptical of these “trigger words” advertisers love to use.

It is commonly accepted that corporations employ a plethora of marketing tactics to sell their supplement brands to consumers.  From the subliminal to the direct, these advertising strategies drive the very arms race for customer loyalty and dollar earnings.

One of the most ubiquitous marketing tactic is “trigger words”: a specific word or word phrase that causes a person to associate a product with something they consider to be wholesome and beneficial. As the consumer surveys the product, their eyes are drawn to these trigger words (usually displayed in large, color print), conjuring positive thoughts about the product, and ultimately convincing the person to purchase it. In this article, we will look at two of the most common trigger words supplement companies love to place on their brands and why you should be cautious about their placement.  

Doctor Recommended  

How It Works-Hearing that a product is “doctor-recommended” gives the impression that the supplement has been carefully analyzed and examined by a certified medical professional who supports and promotes its effectiveness. It is one of the oldest trigger word phrases you’ll ever see.

The Problem-The companies who use this trigger word phrase will rarely if ever reveal the name of the doctor(s) who “recommended” the supplement(s). There is also the issue of what type of medical doctor approved the product. While it is true that the average MD knows more about health than the average person, a nutritionist is the only person who possesses the credibility for properly detailing the effectiveness of supplements (sorry brain surgeons).

Finally, the consumer has no way of knowing whether the doctor is a financial beneficiary with the supplement company who is rewarded for placing their stamp of approval or is a third-person examiner who does not receive any compensation for their decision.         

All-Natural  

How It Works: A more recent trigger word, “all-natural” has arisen due to the public’s growing disdain for artificially-produced ingredients and desire to consume foods with the most basic, natural elements. Consumers are convinced that by choosing foods and supplements composed of all-natural ingredients, they are protecting their bodies from dangerous toxins while partaking in harmless and safe products.  

The Problem: Two words: No Regulation. That’s right, there is no official regulation, parameters, or guidelines for determining what is or is not “all-natural”. It comes down to the very company deeming what falls under the “all-natural” title, who as you would suspect, takes liberties with this designation.

Then, we have to consider all-natural items themselves. While it is true that naturally produced/grown ingredients can yield numerous health benefits, this does not apply to all natural ingredients. In several instances, not only do these natural elements lack a nutritional edge over their synthesized doppelganger, they can be just as, if not more dangerous when consumed.In this article written for Rodale News, six of the most common and dangerous natural ingredients are reported. One of  which is natural palm oil, extracted from palm trees and utilized as a replacement for hydrogenated vegetable oils in cookies and crackers. However, it seems that palm oil may not be a safer alternative: 

 “A number of studies suggest that palm oil is as bad for your heart as the trans fats hidden in by partially hydrogenated oils. The most recent, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, found that it raised bad LDL cholesterol levels as much as partially hydrogenated soybean oil.”  

The Take Home Message: Doctor Recommended and All-Natural have no weight for determining the usefulness of a supplement or piece of food.  

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