The Problem With "It Worked for Me!". The One-Third Rule
We need to be more careful about following generalized health advice. Sometimes, it can do more harm than good.
Let me explain this through something I call the One-Third Rule.
Here's how it works.
Someone discovers a supplement, a diet, a technique, a tool, or a new strategy that produces amazing results, in him/her.
Naturally, they're excited about it. They start recommending it to friends, family, and eventually anyone willing to listen.
What’s happening is that they assume that because it worked for them, it should work for everyone else. And that's simply not how our bodies work.
The One-Third Rule
Think of it this way. Whenever someone recommends something, there are three possible outcomes:
One-third: You try it, and it works! You experience positive results.
One-third: You try it, and absolutely nothing happens. No significant changes.
One-third: You try it, and it actually makes things worse.
Now, these aren't scientifically established percentages. They're simply a way to illustrate an important reality: People respond differently to the same intervention.
Our biology, lifestyle, environment, health history, and current condition all influence how we respond.
Now, let's talk about The Power of Influencers.
Imagine recommending something to an audience of millions. Remember that there are more than 3 billion IG users alone.
Even if only a fraction of those people experience positive results, that's still an enormous number of satisfied followers. Those people share their success stories, leave testimonials, and encourage others to try the same thing. And suddenly, something that worked for a relatively small percentage of people becomes the next big health trend.
Millions of success stories don't necessarily mean something works for everyone. Sometimes, they simply reflect how enormous the audience is.
But what about the people who experienced no improvement, or worse, negative effects?
Their stories rarely get the same attention. And that's how generalized advice can create the illusion that something works for everyone.
So, what's with all of these?
I'm not saying you shouldn't listen to recommendations or try new things.
I'm saying stop assuming that someone else's solution is automatically yours.
What works for one person might do nothing for another, and could even be harmful to someone else.
That's why understanding your individual needs, your current condition, and how your body responds is so important.
Health isn't about following what worked for someone else. It's about discovering what actually works for you.
So focus on a better understanding of yourself.
Prevention as Lifestyle
