Choosing a Dietary Supplement

With the growing popularity of dietary supplements, and the number of types that are for sale, it is important to know that what you are buying is right for you, and that you are buying from a reputable source. Dietary supplements can be very beneficial to your body, but they can also be a waste of money, and possibly dangerous if the incorrect ones are taken. When buying a dietary supplement, it is important to know:

•What is in the supplement

• If the ingredients are right for you

• The amount of each ingredient

• Who formulated the supplement

• Who manufactured the supplement

• Are the formulator and manufacturer trustworthy

First, and possibly most important, you should read the label and look at all the ingredients in the supplement. If you are purchasing from a website, make sure that they either have a label posted, or will send a picture of one if you ask. If they don't show a label, it is probably not a good idea to buy from them.

The importance of knowing the ingredients cannot be overstated. When starting a supplement program, you need to determine what nutrients your body needs. You do not want to take a supplement that does not provide what you are looking for. If you find a supplement you feel will work for you, you should try to consult your doctor prior to taking it. This is especially important if you are taking any other medications, or have any health problems.

Most of the time, dietary supplements include a variety of vitamins. Vitamins are micronutrients that the body must have for a multitude of functions. However, the human body does not produce its own vitamins, so they must be obtained from outside sources. The foods we eat provide a variety of vitamins, but many times this is not enough. Dietary supplements can be a safe alternative if taken correctly. Although it seems like you should get as many vitamins as possible, it is possible to take too many. Multiple types of vitamins are fine, but try to avoid supplements that have excessive amounts of each type.

Another common ingredient in dietary supplements is antioxidants. Antioxidants are nutrients that help stabilize free-radicals in the body and can help prevent cellular and tissue damage. Similar to vitamins, it is important to know which antioxidants are present, and in what amounts. The full effects of high doses of antioxidants are not fully known. Therefore, when choosing a supplement that contains antioxidants, make sure that the overall amount of antioxidants are not extremely high.

Depending on the supplement, there can be various other ingredients such as trace minerals. Going along with the theme, try not to overdo it. For the most part, your body only needs a relatively small amount of the bulk of the nutrients found in dietary supplements. There are some general daily values for many of the ingredients in supplements. These values are not the absolute authority, but are good reference points. Try not to take multiple times the suggested daily value. A little above the daily value should be fine, but try not to go overboard.

Manufacturer and Formulator

Just as important as knowing what's in the supplement is making sure that the supplement comes from a reputable source. The FDA does not fully regulate dietary supplements. Therefore there is the risk of buying from untrustworthy sources. However, there are ways to determine if the seller is reputable.

First, look at who designed or formulated the supplement. Many people sell supplements that have no authority on the subject. There are large well-known companies that employ teams of scientists and doctors to create their products, and obviously these are fine. When it comes to smaller sellers, try to buy from those who have supplements also designed by doctors, scientists, or dieticians. These professionals know what is best for your body, and are much more able to determine what you need than the average person. That is not to say that other people do not know what is good for your body, but for the most part it is better to buy supplements designed by professionals.

Next, make sure the supplement is manufactured in a reliable facility. There are certifications that indicate that the manufacturer is reputable. First, there is cGMP certification. This is an FDA certification that verifies that the manufacturer abides by Good Manufacturing Practices. There is also a certification for the supplement itself known as United States Pharmacopia certification. USP certification ensures that the supplement has the correct ingredient and product integrity, purity, and potency.

To summarize, it is very important to know what's in the supplement and in what amounts. It is best to take supplements that don't go overboard on the amounts of each ingredient. It is also important to buy USP certified supplements that are manufactured in a cGMP certified facility. Dietary supplements can be very beneficial to your body if the correct ones are taken. Following these suggestions can help you choose a safe and effective supplement that can greatly benefit your health.