Find Your Health Philosophy: An Antidote to Falling for Health Hype
Why do we emotionally react to health information, and how can we stop ourselves?
Hello and happy Thursday, health heroes!
Today, we’re talking about health hype, one of the most prevalent struggles with how we view our health today. Americans live in a culture constantly bombarded with information, wouldn’t you say?
From news headlines and social media to wellness influencers and product marketing, we are told what’s “good” or “bad” for our health almost daily. The reaction is often immediate and emotional: Should I avoid this food? Do I need this new supplement? Am I making the right choices?
This cycle of health hype isn’t just a passing trend; it’s deeply rooted in how we process information and make decisions. When we compare this behavior to other countries, a pattern emerges: In the U.S., we often see health decisions in black and white. There’s rarely room for grey—either we jump on the latest trend, or we dismiss it altogether.
One clear example of the “black and white” mindset in the U.S. is the reaction to foods being labeled as either”superfoods” or “toxic.” The media often presents certain foods—like kale, coconut oil, or quinoa—as miracle ingredients everyone must incorporate into their diet. Conversely, other foods—like gluten or carbs—are painted as universally harmful, and the narrative becomes that we should completely avoid them. (Remember when eggs were cholesterol’s public enemy #1?)
This oversimplification doesn’t leave room for nuance. For example, while kale is nutritious, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution to better health. Similarly, carbs are not inherently bad but are demonized without consideration for individual needs or health goals. This black-and-white thinking creates an environment where people either embrace or reject these foods entirely, with little room for balanced moderation.
In reality, health is about finding a middle ground—a personalized approach that acknowledges individual differences, preferences, and needs.
But why is it that we see health interventions in the extreme? What drives this rapid reaction to health information, and how can we break the cycle?
The Psychology Behind the Hype
At its core, our immediate reactions to health information are driven by fear and uncertainty. Humans are wired to seek solutions to perceived threats, and this instinct is heightened when it comes to our health. When we hear new information that suggests we may be doing something harmful, our fear response kicks in. We want to take action, fix the problem, and restore our sense of safety.
This fear-based approach to health is amplified by the nature of our health culture in the U.S. Unlike other countries with more unified health norms, the U.S. health landscape is fragmented. We have a wide range of health philosophies, wellness movements, and medical practices. This lack of cohesion makes us more susceptible to health hype because there’s no clear baseline for what’s “normal” or “healthy.”
Without a consistent health culture, we are more easily swayed by whatever trend or piece of information comes our way.
Grounding Yourself in Your Health Philosophy: Creating Your Health Reaction Filter
The first step in creating your personal health filter is determining how you want to manage your health. I call this a health philosophy - we all have one, but do we even know what it is?
A health philosophy is a personalized framework that guides us in making decisions about our health based on our core values, beliefs, and preferences. It serves as a filter through which we view different health interventions—whether lifestyle, complementary, or medical—and helps us choose the ones that best align with our desired outcomes and how we see our role in our own health journey.
We all lean toward certain perspectives on our health and how we manage it. Defining our stance helps us create what I call an intentional bias. This mental shortcut allows us to skip over the things that don’t matter to us or that we don’t want to heavily consider because we know our health philosophy isn’t aligned with that option.
For example, we read an article about how a new supplement is great for heart health. We can filter that information and say, “That doesn’t fit into my health philosophy of strategically placing a supplement in my health plan yet. To consider it, I would need to know for certain this is something that I need before I try it.”
Or let’s say you’re looking at omitting seed oils from your diet.
A health philosophy would help you decide whether or not to do that:
“This information is interesting, but it doesn’t warrant a change in my health plan unless I identify it as important to my health. I haven’t done that yet - I like to take things slow and learn about them first. I need to weigh the pros and cons of omitting seed oils out of my diet. I will keep that information in mind for now, but I will also be more intentional about trying other oils to introduce variety, which I have always perceived as good. That sounds more like an action step that I can comfortably implement without overreacting to the heightened concern about seed oils.”
Or, “My health philosophy is not to think in good or bad terms but to think in terms of value added to my overall health and to protect my overall health within reason. I am not an extremist when it comes to following new health information sensationalism.”
This is an example of how someone could reason through new information without overreacting. It also solidifies how they want to approach their health and the various methods to impact it, especially when faced with new health intervention options. The more we do this, the stronger our health philosophy becomes.
Before getting swept up in the endless flow of advice, trends, or recommendations, it’s essential to ask yourself: What is the most important way I want to manage my health? Once you’ve established that foundation, filtering health options and aligning them with your philosophy becomes much easier.
Here’s my personal health philosophy (keeping in mind that yours will be uniquely different).
I’ve realized that my health philosophy is deeply rooted in what I call the Core 4: exercise, nutrition, hydration, and sleep. These are my primary areas of focus for maintaining my health.
I add or subtract other health interventions as I pay attention to my body’s response. For example, if I’m feeling extra wired, I’ll cut down on coffee — but continue to stay on top of the Core 4.
If I’m tempted to try a supplement, I’ll ask myself if I have any indication I need that supplement. If the answer is no, then I won’t try it. But I will always rely on the Core 4 as my base, and make sure I’m implementing those in the right fashion.
If I’m faced with a decision to omit a food from my diet, I’ll look at it from an overall perspective and it’s potential negative impact. If it’s not that impactful, I’ll maybe dial back, but not think black or white.
My personal philosophy is:
Natural interventions first.
Medical if necessary.
To keep track of my health status year-over-year, and
Define any ailments that could be serious.
There are some people who would be more likely to try medical interventions first, and they have a health philosophy that supports that. I respect that — as I hope you respect my health philosophy!
There is no right or wrong way to manage health for everyone - there is only right or wrong for us.
Let’s look at another example.
Back to the ever-persistent supplement market in the U.S. — I’ll keep coming back to this because it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of supplement recommendations. Ask yourself some questions and you’ll start to see that you do have a philosophy around them - you just need to make it clear.
Here are some questions that would help do that:
How do I know if I really need this supplement?
Do I want to be popping capsules and gummies for the rest of my life, chasing after perceived better health?
How do I know this supplement is working?
Should I take multiple supplements daily for the rest of my life?
If the answer to these questions leaves you scratching your head, it’s time to think about it before trying the supplement.
Get the answers to these questions and then decide what you want to do - really feel comfortable with your decision. That’s one of the reasons hype marketing is so dangerous - it does not consider your individual needs.
Suppose I hadn’t grounded myself in my personal health philosophy. In that case, I might be taking dozens of supplements to cover all the health bases, like the hype inspired me to, adding more and after every health podcast that mentions supplements! I’d be broke, too! Instead, I know that my priority is focusing on the Core 4.
I consider selected interventions, including supplements, that align with my health needs only after solidifying those pillars. Then, I go back to my health philosophy and use that to filter my reaction.
This health filter—the one you create for yourself based on your priorities—allows you to avoid falling prey to the health hype. It gives you a framework to evaluate new information and decide whether it’s necessary or aligned with your goals. Without this grounding, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and reactive, trying to keep up with every recommendation that comes your way.
So, when you’re faced with a new health option, ask yourself:
Does this align with my health philosophy?
How does it fit into my core approach to health?
Is it something I truly need, or is it just another trend?
How would I know if I needed this addition to my health protocol?
Creating and sticking to your personal health filter by establishing a health philosophy simplifies your health decisions. It allows you to make thoughtful, intentional choices based on your priorities—not on external pressure.
Aligning with Doctors and Health Professionals
Forming your health philosophy early on helps you manage the flow of health information and can also improve how you interact with healthcare providers. Imagine going to your doctor and, instead of feeling pressured to follow their prescribed treatment plan without question, you start your relationship with your doctor by sharing your health philosophy.
“What is your philosophy on health?” you might ask them. “How do you feel about my approach, and can you support it?” Your potential doctor might do the same.
This conversation could save both you and your doctor time and energy, helping to ensure that you are both on the same page before the bills pile up. And if your health philosophies don’t align, you can part ways amicably before committing to a treatment plan that doesn’t feel right.
A Unified Approach to Health Culture
As I’ve said many times, in the U.S., we don’t have a unified health culture like other countries. For example, in Japan, a more consistent and collective approach to health is deeply ingrained in the culture. The Japanese strongly emphasize preventive care, balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, and mindfulness. Practices like walking or cycling for daily transportation, consuming a diet rich in fish, vegetables, and fermented foods, and even incorporating communal health practices like onsen (hot spring baths) are all part of a unified cultural approach to health. These habits are considered normal, daily health maintenance—not extreme interventions.
Because of this unified mindset, the Japanese are less prone to overreact to new health trends or quick fixes. Their health culture has a tighter range of “normal,” where practices are shared and passed down across generations. In contrast, the fragmented health landscape in the U.S. makes it easier for individuals to become overwhelmed by conflicting advice or the latest media-driven health fads.
That’s why it’s even more critical for Americans to create a strong personal health philosophy. Without a collective cultural baseline, we must control our health decisions, ensuring they align with our priorities.
Doing so can avoid the reactive, fear-driven responses that dominate much of our health culture today.
As we navigate an ever-evolving health landscape, forming this intentional health bias will help you make more informed decisions and give you the confidence to stick with what works for you. After all, true health isn’t about following the latest trend—it’s about understanding yourself, your needs, and your desired approach to health. And it’s about protecting that perspective, no matter what offers or recommendations come your way.
So, how about you? Have you thought about your health philosophy, or do you already have one? Let me know in the comments!
See you next week,
Dr. Alice
A little more about Dr. Alice Burron and The Health Navigator Group:
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