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.
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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.
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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 USP Supplement Verification Program. Supplements that pass the standards of the USP receive a USP Verified Mark on their labels.
Seeing the USP Verified Mark on a supplement label means that the product has been tested to ensure that what’s on the label is in the bottle.
USP tests a supplement’s ability to be absorbed by the body, the level of harmful contaminants, and that the supplement has the quality ingredients promised on the label.
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Will Your Current Meds Like Your New Supplements?
We all know that oil and water don’t mix, but what about supplements and medications? Most people who take multiple medications, prescribed or over-the-counter, are aware of the possibility of adverse drug interactions.
When taking supplements and pills, however, many don’t think about something “natural” having an adverse reaction to their current medication.
Some supplements may contain vitamins or minerals that may counteract the effectiveness of prescribed medications.
In other words, a supplement can stop your current medication from doing its job or exaggerate how your body responds to your current medication.
You must also consider supplement-to-supplement interaction when taking multiple supplements. Just like oil and water, some supplements don’t mix well when taken together.
Talking to a pharmacist before you purchase a supplement will help avoid adverse drug-to-supplement or supplement-to-supplement interactions.
Do You Need THAT Supplement?
I salute you for wanting to be healthier and considering supplements to help you achieve your goals. However, you may not need the supplement that you are considering adding to your pillbox.
A great place to start in helping you determine which supplements you will benefit from are your lab results.
Yes, the labs that your health provider orders during your annual physicals can give you insight into what your body needs.
Your lab results may reveal a vitamin deficiency or that your body is getting enough vitamins and minerals through the foods you eat.
Supplementing a deficient vitamin or mineral may be more beneficial than consuming supplements that you have no problem getting in your diet.
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Your healthcare provider can give insight into which supplements may benefit your health the most and guide you to purchasing the supplements your body needs.
Knowledge is key to selecting the right supplement for your health.
The next time you are standing in front of the neatly stacked, health-inspiring supplement bottles, you will know that some of them don’t belong in your shopping cart. When quality supplements are properly implemented, your health is enhanced, not harmed.