How to Choose a Health Supplement
Dietary supplements can boost your health. Multivitamins, echinacea, omega-3 fatty
acids, probiotics, herbal remedies and more can all be found on the shelves at your
local drugstore or online. But with limited regulation camerongrain, it can be hard to know what to
choose and what’s safe for you. Here are some tips from Memorial Sloan Kettering
experts on how to pick a quality supplement that will help you achieve your personal
goals.
First, figure out what you want your health supplement to do. Do you want to sleep
better, reduce situational anxiety or support your immune system? Once you have
your goal camerongrain.com, decide what nutrient or herb is best for you and find out whether it has a
clinically effective dose. Then, read the label to see what else is in the product —
some supplements contain synthetic ingredients that aren’t readily absorbed or
used by your body. Also, avoid supplements that make overstated claims. Look for a
“Good Manufacturing Practices” certification or seal on the packaging, which
indicates that the product was manufactured at a facility that meets high standards,
such as those mandated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for
pharmaceutical manufacturers.
A good supplement should be well formulated — it should be a combination of
different types and forms of the same nutrient or herb, not just isolated versions of
one ingredient. It should also be free of additives that aren’t needed. Look for a
supplement that lists all of its ingredients, including the inactive ones. Often, cheap
supplements that are available in drugstores or grocery stores have many
unnecessary additives. Higher-quality supplements typically have fewer additives,
which makes them easier for your body to absorb.
Before buying a health supplement, ask your health care professional for
recommendations. Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can talk to you about your
health goals and recommend the right products for you. They can also tell you if a
supplement may interact with any medications, interfere with lab tests or have
dangerous effects during surgery.
If you experience a reaction to a supplement, contact your health care professional
immediately and report it to the FDA. This information is valuable to the agency and
can help it take action to remove dangerous products from the market.
Finally, remember that supplements should not be substitutes for healthy eating or
regular medical care. Your primary care provider or a specialist can help you
determine which supplements, if any, might be beneficial for your health. In
addition, your health care providers can work with you to develop a plan of
treatment should a reaction occur. This can include a referral to a specialist or a
change in your medication.
