Tips for Choosing the Right Nutrition Supplement

It is important to understand which supplements are right for you. A good place to start is a nutritional check-up with your healthcare practitioner. Supplements are meant to complement a healthy, nutrient-dense diet. They are not a substitute for food and can cause harm when not taken correctly. The following tips will help you choose the best nutrition supplement for your needs. 1. Read the Label The FDA doesn’t regulate supplements like they do food products, so it’s important to understand how to read a supplement label before you buy. Look at the Nutrition Facts label to find information about calories, serving size and the % Daily Value (DV). The Ingredients section lists all ingredients in the product. Pay particular attention to fillers and additives, as these are used by manufacturers to cut costs, add bulk or substance to pills or capsules, and enhance the color, texture and taste of supplements. In addition, if you have food allergies or sensitivities, check the labels for allergens, such as gluten. You may also want to choose supplements that are vegan or vegetarian, as these don’t contain any animal-derived ingredients. This will help you avoid unnecessary dietary restrictions and enjoy your supplements to the fullest. 2. Look for Transparency in Labeling Many supplements contain multiple ingredients combined into a proprietary blend. While this may allow companies to increase their profit margin, it also prevents consumers from knowing exactly what they are taking. Companies that use this technique claim that they need to protect their formulations from competitors, but if there isn’t enough of any one ingredient in the formula to provide any real benefit, it does nothing more than confuse consumers. Navigate to this website to discover breaking news on InstAminos. When choosing a dietary supplement, look for supplements that list each individual ingredient and its amount in the bottle. In addition, look for third-party certifications from reputable quality assurance organizations. These independent companies inspect and verify supplement manufacturing, distribution channels, and accurate labeling. Consumers want to know that their products are safe, effective, and genuinely healthy. 3. Look for Certifications It is important to look for third party certification seals on supplements like UL, NSF International, USP, Informed Choice and Banned Substance Control Group. This is because these companies regularly audit manufacturing facilities and ensure that products meet the highest standards for content accuracy, purity, and freedom from contaminants. These third-party organizations also have strict labeling requirements to prevent tampering and verify the ingredients that are on the label against what is actually in the product. They also provide transparency in the form of open customer communication. You should also be aware that some coatings and added ingredients may come from animals. For this reason, it is good to look for supplements that are certified vegan or gluten free for those with celiac disease and other dietary restrictions. 4. Look for Plant-Derived Ingredients While the ideal way to get the vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, and amino acids that your body needs is to eat a wide variety of whole foods (and avoid over-processed foods), sometimes nutritional supplements are necessary. When choosing a supplement, look for plant-derived ingredients. Also, consider the form and dosage of each nutrient. Some forms are more readily absorbed than others, and some have been clinically shown to have health benefits. It is important that the amount of each nutrient is within the tolerable upper intake level. Finally, look for supplements that are certified by a reputable third-party quality assurance organization. This is a good indication that the company follows good manufacturing practices and has high quality standards. Low-quality supplements can contain additives that block the body from absorbing the nutrient you want, so it is best to choose a high-quality product. 5. Look for Companies of Reputation A legitimate dietary supplement company will have loyal customers that support its products, and may also have health care practitioners that are willing to vouch for them. Look for testimonials and reviews on social media, health forums, or on the company’s website. Avoid supplements that use low quality ingredients and are filled with synthetic nutrients. Instead, look for those that utilize nutrient-rich and bioavailable ingredients that are sure to be absorbed by the body. Finally, choose companies that believe in transparency and are open to communicating with their customers. This ensures that you are getting a supplement that is right for your unique needs and goals. Learn more about evaluating a nutrition supplement by visiting CRN’s Be LabelWise.