8 Tips For Choosing Quality Supplements

Dietary supplements are very popular. They are used today everywhere and come in many shapes and forms including vitamins, minerals, herbs and other natural products. 

But how can you choose a quality and safe supplement that is right for you ? Here are our 8 tips for choosing your next supplement:

Relevant to your condition

First and foremost you want to make sure you are taking something that is addressing your health concerns. For instance, you have osteoporosis, a medical provider may recommend calcium and vitamin D. Or if you are working on better heart health, your plan might include omega-3s. Seeking out the advice of someone familiar with the use of nutritional supplements can help in this department. Don’t only rely on Dr. Google, as not all of the information found on the web is reliable. 

Backed by science

When choosing a supplement company, it’s important to be selective and work with one you trust. Ask if they have any research on the actual product to back their claims, and then look over the research to see the results. Look for evidence about how well the product works in scientific studies from credible institutions. Search for such studies in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) PubMed database. 

Rigorous scientific analysis should also be part of the product’s manufacturing. What type of testing do they do on their products? 

Respectable company

Do your research and make sure that the company is reputable and that it operates with integrity. Look up to see if there have ever been any product recalls, lawsuits or import detentions. Are they using GMP standards? Do they do batch testing? These answers to these questions will tell you if a company can be trusted.

Safe Ingredients

The sourcing of supplement ingredients is a factor to be mindful of when choosing supplements.  Do they come from a non-toxic environment? Are they sourced ethically? Are there testing standards in place for proper identification of the ingredients?

A product manufactured under poor quality conditions may contain toxic substances that have been unintentionally added. A product that is adulterated or diluted of the proclaimed ingredients will not have the same outcomes. 

Check for good labeling practices, which means transparency in listing ingredients. Does the company reveal all of their ingredients or do they hide behind ”proprietary blends?” 

GMP: Check how it is made

When you see the GMP label on a supplement, you can be assured that identity, purity, quality, strength and the makeup of ingredients has been verified. The manufacturing standards make sure the product that you buy is what it says it is, and is a safe and effective product. 

Manufacturers who follow GMP guidelines have checks and balances in place to assure a safe product, without adulterants. The facilities and employees have to meet certain minimal standards that protect the safety of consumers. When you see a GMP seal, you can sleep more soundly.

Quality & Safety: Check where its made

Quality and safety are huge factors to consider. Be wary of supplements made outside the United States and Europe. These countries have regulations and high standards of manufacturing. When you see a made in the USA label, you can feel good that you are working with a product that lives up to high standards. 

Many other countries aren’t regulated. Products made in Indian, China and Mexico have been shown to contain adulterants. Some products made in other countries may have toxic ingredients. You want to know what you’re getting.

Realistic results

Unfortunately, the supplement field is full of fraud. If a product claims it will cure a disease, be on guard. Any supplement that sounds too good to be true likely is. 

Buyer beware is the rule in the supplement world. Checking the reputation and the results of research on the product will help guide your decisions.  

Side effects and other risks

What risks may you be taking by adding a supplement to your regimen? Has research shown the product to be one that is safe. Are there possible interactions with other drugs or supplements that you are taking? What type of side effects can you anticipate from the product? 

When taking a supplement, you want the side effects to be positive, not negative. See if the research that has been conducted to show potential side effects. If your immune system is compromised, you certainly want to make sure you’re not including a product that may affect your health negatively. 

Look for the label to state inactive and active ingredients. You want to know what you’re putting into your body. While the active ingredients are what assists you to your health goals, inactive ingredients should be made of benign ingredients and not contain adulterants. 

At LifeBiotic, we are committed to bringing you top quality supplements. Our team goes the extra length to live up to our own high standards. We stand proudly with top research and production standards that assure safety and quality. From the research lab, to the bottle in your hand, the results that our customers feel speaks to the quality we provide.