Taking supplements is similar to exercising—no one supplement will work for all individuals. As such, a supplement may work spectacularly for others, but not for you.
Because of that, buying the most popular product on the market isn’t a good idea, even if that product does exactly what the brand claims. Sure, it might be capable of improving bone health, for instance, but that might not be your primary goal for taking supplements. Simply put, you need to consider several factors before choosing which supplements to add to your diet, and that’s what this guide is all about. Discover the essential things that you need to consider below.
- Medical Advice
Why bother mentioning minerals, vitamins, protein supplements, and even herbal supplements to your doctor? Is it really necessary? As it turns out, there are many reasons you should.
For one, taking supplements and certain medications at the same time may result in several health hazards. Another reason is that determining some supplements’ necessity might require a blood test. There’s more—some supplements might result in adverse side effects.
Meanwhile, you need to be particularly cautious if you have a pre-existing health condition. Even if your condition isn’t that serious, the supplement might exacerbate it. In other words, don’t disregard that warning you see on most supplement bottles to check with your doctor first before taking them.
- Quality
Online supplement sales are rapidly growing. However, not all products are equal in terms of quality. There are vast differences in their ingredients, formulas, and even forms. There are thousands of liquids, capsules, and powdered supplements available globally.
So, how do you find a safe and efficient product? It’s where doing your research comes in and becomes of great help. Doing your research before purchasing and taking any supplement can help narrow down your options for the kind of product that would be right for you. The good news is that there are piles of evidence against and for certain products, and so many dieticians and other expert medical professionals who are doing their best to help steer the public in the right direction. Some of them publish useful information and reviews online, and are just a click away.
- Type Or Form
As already mentioned, supplements exist in many forms. There are more varieties available now than ever before, so deciding which to take can be daunting. Should you go with pills or sublingual dissolvables? Gummies or powders? Liquid gels or chewables? Doing your research in advance before buying a supplement can help a lot.
However, what you have to consider, generally, is your tummy. Go for capsules rather than hard tablets if you’re experiencing difficulties with digestion. Your stomach can break down capsules more easily. Those who struggle with swallowing pills might be better off with powder, liquids, or chewables because these forms are more palatable.
- Brand
If you want a good-quality supplement, go for a trusted brand. It’s important to buy and take products only from reputable brands since supplements are loosely overseen and regulated. Thousands of different supplement companies exist, but you should avoid most of them because of products that are of mediocre quality and ineffective. Some even advertise misleading claims and have inaccurate dosage information.
Again, this is where doing your homework offers substantial help. The importance of making sure that you’re dealing with a reputable brand is especially true if you’re going to purchase supplements online. Choose only trusted brands—those with transparent labels, third-party testing, and proper certification. For instance, when it comes to whey protein supplements, you should always go for the world’s bestsellers, such as Optimum Nutrition. However, make sure to only purchase from a legit Optimum Nutrition supplier for your sports nutrition needs.
- Harmful Ingredients
Make sure that there are no harmful ingredients included in your supplement before taking one. Also, look for substances that you may be allergic to.
Immediately search the term on Google if you read an ingredient name that you aren’t sure of. The Internet has a lot of information about common ingredients in supplements. Most of the time, they also explain to whom the substances may cause adverse effects.
Aconite, comfrey, and dyes are some things you have to watch out for before taking any supplement. These ingredients have been found to increase a person’s chances of developing cardiac problems.
- Specific Instructions
Whether you’re using a supplement to manage body aches and pains, or to enhance your performance during training, ensure that you’re taking the proper dosage by reading the instructions on the supplement’s packaging. Keep in mind that improperly using these products can be detrimental to the user’s health.
Supplements’ packaging often also contains warnings and additional information. These details will let users know when and how they should take the product, and who should be the only ones taking it. Some people are restricted from taking a specific type of supplement, so always check the label.
- Expiry Date
Many people forget to check the supplement’s expiration date before taking it. Yes, supplements actually do expire. They often only last you a couple of months, and, then, you’ll need to restock. Ensure that the products you’re purchasing won’t expire before you use them.
Note that some supplement stores often discount items nearing their expiry date, so it’s probably too good to be true if you see some with significantly lowered prices.
- Cost
Cost is still one of the things to consider when planning to purchase and take supplements. The cost of supplements varies, depending on where you’re getting them and what brands the products have. One reason why some brands are cheaper than others is that they use lower-grade ingredients for their supplements. While it’s true that cheap doesn’t always mean bad, and expensive doesn’t always mean good, you pay for the quality, generally. Would you prefer to save on cost and take a less potent product, or go for a more effective supplement with a higher price tag?
Wrapping Up
Taking supplements isn’t as simple as eating food. That’s precisely why you shouldn’t take supplements without prior knowledge, or it’ll become a disaster. However, with this guide, you should at least know enough about supplements so you can avoid major issues.