Americans are becoming aware of deficiencies in their natural systems, whether those deficiencies are low amino acids, vitamins, minerals, or fatty acids. It is very easy to become overwhelmed while trying to keep track of all the nutrients you need. Supplements may be a great way to address this problem. They are simple to take, easy to keep track of, and available in almost every grocery store and drugstore. However, how do you separate the good supplements from the bad, and how do you know they will even work? In this blog, I’ll detail some easy steps to keep in mind when searching for supplements.
1. Make sure that the company you are buying from is legitimate!
Do they have a website? How are their reviews? Do they spend a lot of time on Research and Development and do they share those results? Make sure to verify their integrity before you buy.
2. Make sure the supplement is quality!
Look for stamps like Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP) or National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) on your supplements. These are third-party organizations that verify the quality of the product.
3. Examine the ingredients.
Look to see if the supplement has a dosage large enough to achieve a therapeutic effect. Is there clinical research backing up the effectiveness of the ingredients? Sanesco has resources available that clearly detail and cite research that measures the impact of our supplements and their ingredients. Everything we put into our supplements has a purpose and that purpose is backed by research! If you can, make sure that the ingredients are in their optimal form. For example, B vitamins in their active, most bioavailable form. A supplement does you no good if your body cannot process it well!
4. Last but not least, check the expiration date!
You don’t want to accidentally get something that is past its prime, and you certainly don’t want a product without an expiration date. Active ingredients will become inactive over time. If the bottle doesn’t expire, this product may not be the best.
That’s all for now! Keep to these basic steps and your supplements should be safe and effective! Always make sure to keep up to date about what you’re putting in your body. Onward to better health!
Want more information about Sanesco’s high quality nutritional formulas? Click here.
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References
- Dickinson, A., & MacKay, D. (2014). Health habits and other characteristics of dietary supplement users: a review. Nutrition journal, 13(1), 14.
- Greger, J. L. (2001). Dietary supplement use: consumer characteristics and interests. The Journal of nutrition, 131(4), 1339S-1343S.
- Sato, K., & Shizumu, S. (1980). Level of methionine synthase activity and interconversion of methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin in a facultative methylotroph, Protaminobacter ruber. Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology, 26(6), 557-569.
Clinical Contributor
Tory Todd
Clinical Support Intern
Torey Todd is a recent graduate of UNC-Asheville with a major in Cellular and Molecular Biology and a minor in Neuroscience. Torey desires to enter the medical field and have a positive impact on it in a meaningful way, with the goal of empowering patients to live to their healthiest lives. Torey spends his free time working with the local Boy Scout troop as an assistant scoutmaster, hiking with his dogs, reading an engaging book or contra dancing the night away.
