Fraud in the sale of Anti-Aging products is very common among senior citizens in the world today.  We all want to look and feel younger, and thousands of anti-aging products lay claim to making that happen for you if you just purchase and use their products.  Some anti-aging products genuinely help us look, and feel, younger; and some (most?) do not.

However, we are warned by experts that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Some tips to avoiding fraudulent anti-aging products are offered by the FBI on their Internet site:

• Watch out for “Secret Formulas” or “Breakthroughs”
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the product.  Find out exactly what it should do for you and what it should not; check particularly the ingredients for any you may be allergic to;
• Research a product thoroughly before you buy it.  Call the Better Business Bureau to find out if other people have complained about the company or product(s);
• Be wary of products that purport to cure  wide variety of illnesses (particularly serious ones like cancer) that don’t appear to be related;
• Testimonials and/or celebrity endorsements are often misleading;
• Be very careful of products that are marketed as having no side effects;
• Products that are advertised as making visits to a physician unnecessary should be questioned;
• Always consult your doctor before taking any dietary or nutritional supplement;

A word about ‘alternative medicine’ is required here.  SCJ recognizes the value of medical/health care offered by non-traditional professions such as Naturopathic Physicians (NMD), Chiropractors and traditional Eastern homeopathic methodologies.  Indeed, some anti-aging products have a long and successful history in the field of alternative medicine.  However, within this line of health care, the need to ensure legitimate/studied/tested methodologies needs to be separated from those who would claim legitimacy and end up being frauds.  Seeking alternative medical care must be done with the same attentiveness, question-asking and research as non-alternative care.  In particular, seeking recommendations from friends or acquaintances who have sought alternative care, including specific persons and offices, is a wise idea for any senior looking for options.