Advanced Nutritional Supplements - Fact or Fantasy?

Nutritional supplements are not always what they are made out to be, but some truly deliver on their promises! While advanced nutritional supplements in South Africa can serve a vital purpose, the golden rule remains the same as with superfoods: do the research.

There are tens of thousands of supplements on the market today. The scary part? Understanding who is actually controlling the manufacture and quality of these products.

Due Diligence Is A Must

You had better believe that there are people out there just trying to make a quick buck. This has a detrimental effect on the wellness market, causing many customers to develop a serious mistrust of all supplements. As a result, the advanced supplements that are truly high-quality—and could significantly help you—are ignored. And who could blame you?

What To Look For When Choosing Supplements

When searching for the best nutritional supplements, especially here in South Africa, always verify the following:

• Label Accuracy: What exactly is on the label, and are there hidden fillers?
• Clinical Evidence: Is there scientific research to back up their health claims?
• Developer Credentials: Who developed the product? Was it a medical professional, or just a gym enthusiast?
• Market History: How long has the supplement been on the market, and where globally is it sold?
• Professional Endorsements: Is it recognized and used by professional athletes and sportsmen?
• Customer Support: Is there follow-up to see how it is working and to help you achieve your desired results?
• Guarantees: Is there a money-back assurance on the product?

Comparing Supplements: What Makes a Product "Advanced"?

Nutritional Supplements - Do You Have A Need?

How do you determine if you actually have a need for supplements? That is the million-dollar question! Or rather, the trillion-dollar question, as predicted by renowned economist Paul Zane Pilzer regarding the Wellness industry.

"The wellness industry is the right place to be, with health and wellness now becoming the next trillion dollar industry. It's being driven by the baby boomers! This is the first time everyone born from 1946 to 1964 all want the same thing at the same time: To be younger and feel better."

— Dr. Paul Zane Pilzer, Economist and Author of The Wellness Revolution

Why is There Such a Boom in Supplements?

Much like the fast-food industry, demand is driven by convenience. However, there is also a legitimate biological need. Our bodies often do not get enough nutrition from modern diets due to lifestyle stress, declining food quality, and soil depletion. (Read our article on Healthy Nutrition for more on this).

But again, as with all things, do the research. There are a lot of supplements making false promises out there.

A Case For Nutritional Supplements

There is a strong case to be made for adding high-quality nutritional supplements to your daily routine. Between the nutrient deficiencies in modern processed foods, high-stress lifestyle demands, and active sports interests, we often require more nutrition than our daily meals provide.

Let's look at one example: Omega 3.

This is an amazing and important oil obtained from cold-water fish. However, fish do not produce the oil; they get it from their food (algae). Historically, one of the most common sources of Omega 3 was wild-caught salmon. But as demand grew, man started farming salmon and feeding them grain. Now, farmed salmon is often high in Omega 6 (from the grain) and significantly lower in Omega 3.

While Omega 6 stimulates cell growth and has its place, modern diets are heavily overloaded with it. Everything must be in moderation. Consider what commercial cattle and poultry are fed—grain. Supplements help bridge the gap when natural food sources fall short.

A Doctor's Advice

Once you have selected your supplement brand of choice, we recommend a simple test: cut the label off, trim it down to just the contents and ingredients block, and ask your doctor if there is anything in it you should not take.

We believe in doing this because you want your doctor's objective medical advice, not their personal opinion on a specific brand. Giving the doctor just the list of ingredients removes brand bias from the equation.

The Science Behind The Supplement

Another crucial step is researching the science that backs the product. Many generic supplements have zero scientific research backing their specific formulation.

There are, however, some advanced supplements that have dedicated medical advisory boards conducting ongoing clinical research. Some of these medical teams even include Nobel Laureates. This is a massive indicator of quality and efficacy.

Our Choice and Recommendation

At Rife Wellness Centre in Randburg, we have been evaluating and using supplements for over 20 years. We tried many that made fantastic claims but delivered zero results—until we learned how to do proper research.

We ultimately found a product range that has been on the market for over 40 years, offers a money-back assurance, and has incredible science and strict quality control behind it. Best of all, top professional athletes, like Cristiano Ronaldo, trust and use these products daily.

When our founder, Mariana, started on this specific program, she lost 38 kg! You can achieve your wellness goals too with the right guidance and nutritional support.

We would really value your input. Please leave a comment below or contact us directly if you have any questions about your nutritional needs.