Vitamin supplements are a booming industry. Whether you’re searching for a way to boost your immune system or want to grow healthier hair and nails, there’s a supplement for that. Experts estimate that vitamin supplement sales will total more than $278 billion by the year 2024. And with so many companies and brands to choose from, selecting safe and effective vitamin supplements can have its challenges. Before you make decisions about what vitamin supplements may be right for you there are a few things to consider.
Choosing Dietary Supplements
Vitamins and dietary supplements are everywhere. You can find countless bottles and boxes at your local grocery store, drug store, and even online. However, just because these vitamin supplements are accessible doesn’t always mean that they are safe and effective. When choosing supplements that are right for you be sure to consult with your physician first. A trained doctor can give you insight into what works and what simply doesn’t. And oftentimes we reach for supplements that our bodies don’t actually need. In some cases this can be harmful to our overall health. After you have talked to your doctor do a little research. Prior to making supplement purchases you should be able to clearly understand labels and serving sizes. Additionally, just because a dietary supplement is being sold does not automatically mean that it is effective and safe. Look for supplements that are regulated by the FDA. You can find out if the supplements you are taking are regulated by visiting the FDA website.
Why Vitamins and Supplements?
Experts agree that the majority of our nutritional needs should be met by our primary diet. However, everyone is different, and our nutritional and dietary needs all vary. Supplementing diets is a practice that goes back for centuries. The age-old practice can be traced back to the Han dynasty and to Aztec culture. Modern day supplements are different but we can still take advantage of their benefits, whether it’s fish oil for brain health or immune-boosting vitamin C. Most of us who eat a healthy, whole foods diet likely do not need to take supplements. But for those who do not, supplements can be essential to overall health. Some examples include vegetarians or vegans who only eat a limited variety of foods or others who follow a restrictive diet, people with food allergies, those with medical conditions that affect how their bodies absorb vital nutrients from food, and women who are pregnant.
Trustworthy Vitamin and Supplement Brands
With so many vitamin brands out there it can be hard to find the best option that works with your nutritional needs and meets the FDA guidelines. There are a variety of trusted brands to choose from including top-rated supplement brands such as the grocery store brand Trader Darwin from Trader Joe’s and the broad product line of Nature Made supplements.
Additional brands such as Nutrilite, available online via Amway, have taken a proactive approach when it comes to transparency and consumer education. Nutrilite follows the Dietary Supplement Good Manufacturing practices and strives to elevate their standards. How it works is that Amway grows, harvests, and processes its plants on their own certified organic farms. The company also offers resources to help customers and potential consumers make informed decisions and understand how it all works.
Making informed decisions about the dietary supplements you purchase doesn’t have to be confusing. Talk with your doctor to find out which vitamins and supplements might be right for you.