| Health is on almost everyone's mind these days, | | | | insect bites and soothe aching muscles. |
| especially with the downturn in the economy. Working | | | | Healing herbs and supplements aren't just for people, |
| people cannot afford to get ill. Even if they have paid | | | | either. Dogs and cats respond well to alternative |
| sick leave, they are afraid they'll lose their jobs if they | | | | treatments for certain conditions. Dogs have been |
| take it. If they don't have paid sick time, they can't | | | | known to recover from skin rashes, nervous |
| afford to lose their wages. So they go to work sick | | | | conditions, digestion problems, and other maladies with |
| and spread their condition to co-workers. | | | | alternative products. Veterinarians may even |
| Increasingly, parents of young children can't afford to | | | | recommend the use of such products. |
| take their children to the doctor. Even if they have | | | | How can a consumer know which alternative health |
| insurance, which more and more do not, they can't | | | | products to use? How do they know what is safe for |
| afford the co-pay and the cost for any tests or | | | | them and their families? High quality alternative health |
| medications. Plus, keeping children out of daycare or | | | | product websites provide free information through |
| school to go to the doctor or recover from a sickness | | | | newsletters and ebooks. Many maintain libraries of |
| means lost work time for one parent or extra costs | | | | articles on the benefits and uses of nutritional |
| for a babysitter. | | | | supplements. Online bulletin boards and listserves |
| Wise health consumers know that the best way to | | | | provide opportunities for sharing information, ideas, and |
| keep medical costs down is to stay healthy. | | | | experience. Some excellent websites even let |
| Prevention is the key. Alternative health products such | | | | customers ask questions of a doctor who specializes |
| as nutritional supplements, herbal and natural remedies, | | | | in alternative medicine. |
| and amino acid supplements help adults and children | | | | Using alternative health products is not a substitute for |
| alike stay healthy and prevent illness. The cost of | | | | the advice of a traditional doctor. Many supplements |
| these products is minimal when compared with all the | | | | are complementary to commercial medicine-they work |
| costs associated with getting sick. | | | | well together. Certain situations require the care of a |
| Certain alternative health products help maintain a | | | | regular physician. People with complicated medical |
| strong immune system so the body can fight off | | | | conditions, emergencies, and illnesses that don't |
| potential illness. Other natural remedies help with | | | | respond to alternative treatments should seek |
| digestion and elimination. Still others keep bones strong | | | | immediate medical attention. Patients who are under a |
| and muscles flexible. Some supplements even help | | | | doctor's care should check to make sure the |
| prevent depression. | | | | supplements they plan to take are not contraindicated. |
| Alternative health products are for prevention but they | | | | Alternative health products deserve a place in every |
| are not only for prevention. They can help people | | | | medicine cabinet and first aid kit. With information and |
| recover if they do catch cold or feel down. Natural | | | | experience, consumers can learn which products work |
| ointments and salves work to relieve bruises and | | | | best for them. |