Have you ever stood in front of a shelf full of vitamins and supplements, wondering which one is your best option? If so, you are not alone. The sheer number of products available today can make choosing an overwhelming challenge.
However, there are some ways you can narrow the choice to select vitamins or supplements that will work effectively and meet your ethical expectations. Here are some things you should be looking out for the next time you stand bewildered before such a considerable range of options:
Choose the right type
When choosing vitamins and supplements, the Gummies Garden Team recommends that you start with the ingredients label. Study it carefully to see the exact quantities of each component. For example, some Vitamin C tablets supply only 500mg per dose, while others offer 1,000mg. This is especially important if you are looking at multivitamins.
They usually contain a range of vitamins and supplements but the ones you need might not be present. There are several forms of Vitamin B, and the bottle you are holding might not contain them all. The label will not tell you what each vitamin and mineral is for and prior research is necessary. Once you know what vitamins and minerals you desire, start eliminating products that do not meet your requirements.
Many multivitamins and supplements are labeled to give you an idea of what they aim to combat. For example, you could find an immune system boosting supplement that contains ingredients like Vitamins A, C, D, and E in addition to zinc, selenium, and iron. Others focus on improving your concentration and productivity while combating fatigue. These supplements contain B vitamins, Vitamin C and D3, omega acids, and magnesium. Some supplements, like calcium d glucarate, help with inflammation and getting rid of toxins in your body. You can also find daily vitamins for women or men, which can be specific for each person’s gender and age.
Knowing what you need
You can get the necessary vitamins and minerals from following a healthy diet rich in fresh vegetables as these foods will supply your body’s needs. Other foods are fortified with additional vitamins, aimed to ensure your intake is sufficient. There is no harm in taking a multivitamin to supplement your diet and top up.
The concentrations of vitamins and minerals in these supplements are not high enough to put you in harm’s way. Indeed, most excess vitamins from a supplement are expelled from the body as waste, usually in the urine.
If you suspect a severe vitamin deficiency, it is best to speak to your doctor before buying any supplements. A medical healthcare professional might want to make a diagnosis based on any symptoms you present or may even go as far as ordering blood tests to check for deficiencies. Only then should you take a supplement that contains a high concentration of a specific vitamin or mineral.
This is also an opportunity to discuss any potential interactions of a concentrated supplement or multivitamin with other prescription medications that you take regularly. The chances of a negative interaction are minimal, but it is worth checking out beforehand. Sometimes, you need to take a high concentration of vitamins or minerals because of chronic medicine. For example, Methotrexate should be accompanied by folic acid to compensate for what the drug takes out of the body.
Method of ingestion
Vitamins and supplements come in two main forms: capsules for swallowing, chewable pieces, and powders. Supplement powders usually contain other dietary requirements, such as protein, and are best served mixed in water or milk. They enter the digestive system and begin metabolizing quickly.
Gummies are chewable and ideal for someone who cannot or prefers not to swallow capsules. Most come in flavors that make them more palatable. However, you should check that colorants and flavors the manufacturer adds are natural and low in sugar.
Experts advise that you take any vitamins or supplements with food to start working right away. Without food in your system, there is a greater likelihood of your supplement’s contents being ejected from the body as waste.
Trusted manufacturer
While the ingredients of one supplement might be identical to another, this does not make them equal. Research the manufacturer to determine where they source their raw materials and whether they are tested for potency and purity.
The test for purity is vital as it ensures that ingredients do not contain contaminants, such as heavy metals, which could do great harm to your body if ingested in excessive quantities. Ensure that ingredients come from sources that have not been subjected to genetic modification practices.
A manufacturer should have a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certificate or endorsement on its website. This means that it follows ethical practices in testing its products on subjects. This is a key component of quality assurance. https://www.vitaliving.com/ is a reliable source for you.
You could also look at reviews online to see what other customers think of the producer and their products. Even if there are some unfavorable reviews, look at how the manufacturer dealt with them and whether they have an excellent customer service reputation. These practices are hallmarks of high-quality products.
More about vitamins and supplements:
– A full guide to vitamins and minerals
– Online sources of muscle building supplements
– Synthetic vs natural supplements – does it really matter?
