What You Need to Know About Supplements

Supplements can be a wonderful thing to add to your routine. They are meant to fill in the gaps to ensure you get all the essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients needed to be healthy. But within the world of supplements, there are a lot of variables to be aware of, as not all are made equal.

Things to Consider When Buying Supplements

It can be quite overwhelming to stand in front of a shelf of options and know which are the best supplements to purchase. Here’s a look at five things to consider as you purchase supplements and hunt for the best options out there.

What Is Your Goal – Why Are You Taking Supplements?

Because each person is unique, it’s important to be specific in what your health and wellness goals are. Why are you taking supplements? What is the gap or need you are hoping to address?

Some of the most common reasons to take supplements include:

• Boosting the immune system
• Giving you more energy
• Helping with focus
• Filling nutritional gaps when diet isn’t enough
• Helping with nutrient absorption
• Help to prevent certain health issues
• Improve your mood
• Losing weight
• Building muscle

It may not be just one reason you want to take supplements, perhaps you have a few goals in mind. Just remember, there is no single supplement that ticks off all these boxes, so the more health goals you have – likely the more supplements you’ll need to take.

It’s All About Quality – Become an Informed Shopper

The next thing to consider is quality. As stated, not all supplements are created equal and just because one particular product or brand may be trending and popular, it doesn’t mean it’s the best option. The best advice is to get into the habit of reading the label and knowing what makes a supplement “good”.

The key items to pay attention to on the label are:

• Active ingredients
• Flavorings
• Binders
• Fillers
• Dosage size/directions

You may also notice that a supplement has a quality testing label meant to assure consumers that it was manufactured properly and that the label is correct. This is certainly helpful information but remember a quality label doesn’t guarantee that it will be effective and safe for you.

What Is a Proprietary Blend?

As you start to focus more on the labels, you may notice that some supplements are “proprietary blends”. What this means is the manufacturer has created its own recipe or blend of ingredients. Generally speaking, the amount of each ingredient isn’t typically displayed on the label, which can make it hard to make a good choice.

What About Health and Safety Risks?

Before taking any supplements you need to know about any potential health and safety risks. If you’re taking any medication or other supplements, there can even be contradictions that make your medication less effective.

You can speak to your doctor or pharmacist to get more information. Also, look into any potential side effects, so you know what signs to look for. Side effects can range from mild inconvenience to severe.

There are Deals to Be Had – Shopping on a Budget is Possible

What you’ll notice very quickly is just how expensive supplements can be. Price isn’t always a clear indicator of quality either, so you mustn’t get sucked into that mentality that you need to spend more than you’re comfortable with. There are always promotions, deals and sales to be had like protein and meal replacement supplements.

Find Supplements That Fit Your Needs

Using this advice and factoring in these considerations will help you to make informed purchases when it comes to your supplements. And remember, when in doubt it’s best to consult a healthcare professional before taking any supplement.

Photo by cottonbro studio
Photo by Polina Tankilevitch