Many people take supplements to address nutritional gaps or boost their health. Supplements come in capsule, powder or liquid forms.
Before starting a supplement regimen, it’s essential that you first consult a healthcare provider and get their opinion before selecting one for yourself. A clinician can provide personalized advice as well as monitor response and adjust accordingly.
Safety
Some supplement companies make honest errors but make costly mistakes, like mislabeling or making illegal claims about their products, buying adulterated ingredients, or including novel ingredients which could potentially interact with prescription medications. Other supplement companies add cheap, impure or degraded ingredients into their products to boost profits or “fairy dust” them to hide this reality using practices known in the industry as “fairy dusting.”
ConsumerLab and US Pharmacopeia provide independent testing organizations that conduct unbiased evaluations on supplements to check purity and potency, so be on the lookout for products with these certifications or check the company websites in order to locate a reputable vendor. Since the FDA doesn’t regulate dietary supplements in the same manner as drugs, any recall actions would only take effect once someone becomes ill from taking an unsafe supplement; even when asked by them directly to recall one it might take months, even years, before any action taken by retailers to do so.
Effectiveness
While some supplements are supported by reliable science, others rely solely on marketing hype or personal testimonials for support. To make the best health choices, it is crucial that you start by consulting a nutritionist or healthcare provider about your nutritional requirements and considering any supporting evidence of supplements being considered for use. Good news is, thanks to innovative advances in capsule production, there are now more ways than ever before for you to support a healthy lifestyle. From selecting materials to use to selecting specialized capsule designs (such as enteric-coated and elongated formats) that facilitate optimal absorption, today there are more ways than ever before to stay on your daily supplement regimen with convenient tablets and capsules that offer maximum nutritional benefit1.
Consumers traveling, commuting to work, or leading busy lives requiring supplement regimens in their daily activities must find ways to incorporate their supplements smoothly into their lives.
Talk to Your Doctor
Due to the FDA’s lack of oversight over supplements, it’s essential that you speak to your physician prior to taking them. Some supplements can interfere with other medicines or even be dangerous if you suffer from certain health conditions like blood clotting disorders. Be sure to bring an up-to-date list of all over-the-counter medicines and supplements you are currently taking at each appointment.
Dr. Mueller notes that supplement manufacturers often seek third-party testing of their product’s contents, in order to confirm what appears on its label and ensure accuracy of label claims. For best results, Dr. Mueller advises choosing certified by independent, third-party agencies like NSF, USP or ConsumerLab.
Studies on supplement use may have demonstrated some benefits; however, it’s essential to remember that supplements cannot substitute a nutritious diet and always seek medical advice before making decisions regarding convenient supplements in your lifestyle. While survey data such as that collected through National Health Interview Survey may provide some indication, more data must be considered when making informed decisions about adding them into daily life.
