Nutritional supplements are a great way to improve health when you are low on something important. While most people know to take their multivitamins, there are a host of other supplements that can improve nutrition tremendously. When you’re shopping for supplements, you don’t just want to pick the cheapest thing on the shelves, these often contain fillers and low-quality ingredients that may end up being more of a waste of money than a help to your health. Here’s what to look for:
1. Make Sure You Actually Need It
Before you go buying a bunch of supplements, make sure you understand what each one is for and how it can help your health. There are supplements that can improve digestion while others will give your immune system a boost. Working with a naturopath or other knowledgeable health professional can help you target exactly what you need.
2. The Ingredients Are High-Quality
The supplement should contain high-quality ingredients and the ingredients should be sourced from a reputable supplier. Nutritional supplement testing ensures that ingredients are not only high quality, but that they are also potent and have a high degree of purity. This also means that the manufacturer has tested the product to ensure that it contains what it claims to contain and in the correct amount with no additional ingredients or contaminants present that would interfere with your body’s ability to absorb and use those compounds effectively. It must also be tested for stability or shelf life.
3. The Supplement Is Made in America
When you are considering a new supplement, it is important to keep in mind that there are many factors that can affect the quality of your purchase. One of these factors is where the supplement was made and whether or not it was manufactured in America. While there are benefits associated with buying American and local products, they can cost a little more than items made overseas.
4. It’s Free of Fillers and Binders
Fillers are added to supplements in order to increase the weight of the product and therefore increase its profit potential. They’re usually made from cheap ingredients like chalk or talc. Binders are also used to increase profit margins or two present a product that looks a certain way.
5. It Contains a Full Range of Bioactive Nutrients
Some nutrients should not be taken together when they are in supplement form. You want ingredients that improve effectiveness, not reduce it. Bioactive ingredients are often from natural sources as opposed to synthetic ones. This means that the body is more likely to absorb them and use them appropriately. Supplements made from whole food ingredients are some of the best options when you are low on specific nutrients.
6. It Contains High Doses of Each Active Ingredient
You want your supplements to contain mostly active ingredients to offer the full effectiveness of taking them. When you’re looking for a quality supplement, look for options with high doses of active ingredients. When you do this, you’ll take fewer pills but still get the same results you would expect.
7. The Ingredients are Grown without Pesticides, Herbicides, and Toxic Fertilizers
You want to find products that have not been produced with pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. They have numerous benefits including a healthier digestive system, better nutrient absorption and even reducing the overall toxic load in your body.
8. The Supplement is Non-GMO and Gluten-Free
A non-GMO supplement is one that doesn’t contain genetically modified organisms. GMOs are a health risk for some because the body may not process them as expected. Additionally, gluten-containing products can be problematic for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, as well as those who have allergies or intolerances to wheat products. Getting gluten-free options means that you can rest easier knowing your supplements are unlikely to cause further damage to your body.
Conclusion
It’s very important to choose quality supplements that have undergone the right testing and have only the things you need. Additionally, working with a naturopath or other practitioner can help you choose the products that are most likely to impact your health in a positive way. This is especially true if you are dealing with any chronic health conditions related to nutrient deficiencies. Trial and error with nutritional supplements could prove to be more harmful than helpful.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
