With so many supplements and pills to choose from in the aisle of your local pharmacy, grocery, and vitamin stores, “How can you possibly decide on which is best for you?”
An even better question to ask yourself is, “Will the supplements and pills that I choose do more harm than good?”
Well, you’re asking all the right questions. Here’s what you absolutely must know and look for to select a vitamin that’s the right fit for your health.
READ: Multivitamins: Good for You or Not? Experts Weigh In
All Vitamins are NOT Created Equal
We’ve all seen the supplement bottles with an image of lush green pastures and smiling faces that just reek of health.
We check the price, throw it in the shopping cart and strut to the checkout counter knowing that we’re on the road to health and prosperity. But, hold it right there!
Just because a supplement has made it on the shelf doesn’t mean that it’s safe or even does what the label promises.
READ: What Vitamins Should I Be Taking For Heart Health?
In fact, before a supplement is marketed to the public, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not have the authority to verify if it’s safe or effective.
The FDA can only remove a supplement from the market if it has been found to be unsafe (by the manufacturer or consumers) or makes false or misleading claims.
To put your mind at ease, manufacturers can elect to have their supplements verified by the