Consider Alternative Health Products

I see an acupuncturist for my healthcare. Contrary to popular belief, acupuncturists don't just stick needles into your body. Most are well-rounded practitioners of alternative health. When I'm not feeling well and my body is out of balance, my acupuncturists gives me alternative health products such as nutritional supplements and natural remedies to restore my health.

For nearly every prescription medicine on the market today you can find alternative health products that serve the same or similar purpose. Herbs like St. Johns wort may help relieve depression. Ginger is great for digestive problems, as are certain digestive enzymes. Amino acid supplements appear to be good for overall health and disease prevention. My acupuncturist gives me supplements that combine a number of ingredients, most of which I've never heard of and can't pronounce.

Some, but not all, alternative health products have undergone scientific research on their effectiveness and side effects. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) supports such research and makes it available to the public. Their website is a terrific source of information on the subject. You can look up a particular alternative health product or substance and find out what the scientists know about it.

But NCCAM isn't the only place where you can find information on the benefits of nutritional supplements and other natural remedies. Many online retailers provide their readers with extensive information on products as well as newsletters to keep up with the latest developments in the alternative health world. Some of the high quality sites even have medical doctors available to answer questions.

Online retailers have something else to offer: discounts on vitamins, herbs, supplements, and natural remedies. This is important because, unlike prescription drugs, health insurance does not cover alternative health products. Even though they can be less expensive than some prescription drugs and equally or more effective, insurance policies don't pay for them. That's why retailers who offer supplements at a discount are providing a valuable service to their customers.

If you are considering an alternative approach to your health issues, it's important to discuss it with your health provider. More and more medical professionals are informed about and supportive of alternative approaches. They may have valuable insights and suggestions to contribute to your care. For example, they may know, or be able to find out, if it's safe to take a particular herb or vitamin along with a medicine you are taking. It's particularly important to consult your medical provider if you are already under treatment for an illness or condition.

So, if you are committed to exploring alternative health products to address specific health concerns or improve your general health and wellbeing, you have a number of options for finding information and affordable products. Unlike 20 years ago, when such information was sparse and hard to obtain, there's plenty of information out there. A rapidly increasing number of consumers and medical providers are convinced of the benefits of many of the alternative products on the market. If you're interested, you'll have no trouble learning what you need to know.

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web.
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