Tips on Choosing the Best Nutrition Supplements

Dietary supplements can be a great way to fill in nutrient gaps, especially for those who struggle with following a healthy diet. However, the vast majority of micronutrients should still come from food sources.

In order to choose the best nutritional supplements, it is important to consider a few factors. In this blog post, GBU physician Tiffany Graham shares her tips on choosing clean and high-quality supplements.

Assessing your nutritional requirements is the first step towards making the right choice nooLVL. Be aware of your age, gender and your lifestyle. Additionally, consider the health issues you might have. Do you need an all-purpose multivitamin or are you looking for specific needs like bone health, heart health, or prenatal support? Finding out what you require can help narrow your choices and pick products that cater to your individual demands.

Look for the NSF International or US Pharmacopeia seal

Since the FDA doesn’t verify that dietary supplements contain what they claim to, some third-party organizations take on this role. Look for the NSF International or US Pharmacopeia seal to ensure that the supplements you’re buying have passed extra testing.

The NSF developed the nation’s first independent testing and certification program specifically for dietary supplements, called NSF/ANSI 173, which covers ingredients, content, and manufacturing facilities. Products that earn the NSF Content Tested and Certified mark have been analyzed by NSF and must pass annual product review and bi-annual manufacturing facility audits to maintain their certification.

For athletes, there’s the NSF Certified for Sport mark, which goes beyond content to ensure that supplements meet the requirements for performance-enhancing substances and are free of masking agents. This way, athletes can be confident that the dietary supplements they’re taking are high-quality and won’t interfere with their drug regimens. The best way to learn more about nutrition supplements is to talk to your internal medicine physician in Cary.

Check the label for the % Daily Value (DV) of each nutrient

The % Daily Value (DV) system helps you compare products. It is based on how much an average adult needs in terms of each nutrient, using a standard 2,000 calorie diet. 5% DV or less of the nutrient is considered low, while 20% DV or more is high. As a general rule, look for foods higher in nutrients like dietary fiber, vitamin D, calcium, iron, and potassium, while choosing those low in saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars.

Be sure to check the footnote at the bottom of the Nutrition Facts label that indicates the DVs are based on a 2,000-calorie-per-day diet. This means that if you consume more or less than 2,000 calories per day, your DVs may vary. You should also look at the individual nutrient amounts listed in the Nutrition Facts table. Only nutrients that are required to be listed will have a % DV, while others will simply be expressed in grams (g), milligrams, or micrograms.

Read reviews from other consumers

Since the Food and Drug Administration doesn’t regulate dietary supplements in the same way as it does prescription drugs, you may need to look for third-party verification organizations that can verify whether your chosen supplement is safe to use. A third-party verified product will display a seal on the label and can usually be found on the organization’s website.

In addition, make sure to read reviews from other consumers. Many people share their experiences with nutrition supplements on review platforms, social media, and health forums. It is a good idea to choose a brand that has plenty of satisfied customers and healthcare professionals who endorse their products.

Talk to your doctor

Because supplements are not regulated in the same way as drugs, it is important to talk with your internal medicine physician in Cary before adding any new vitamins or dietary supplements to your diet. They can help you find a reputable brand and make sure that any supplement will not interfere with any prescription medications or health conditions that you may have.

You should also be aware that not all doctors are savvy about nutrition and supplements. Some are genuinely interested in it and have educated themselves, while others do not. A dietitian or nutritionist would be a better source of information, since they are educated in the field.

Finally, it is important to remember that dietary supplements are meant to enhance the benefits of a nutrient-dense, healthy diet, not to replace it. Be smart about your choices and always read the label, and remember that more is not better. Be wary of any products that promise miracles or contain ingredients that are not listed, as these could be dangerous.