Not All Supplements Are Created Equal
From the tasty gummy vitamins you may have taken as a child to the daily vitamins you consume as an adult, you probably consider supplements a key component of your wellness regime. As a matter of fact, with the lack of nutrients provided in our modern diet, consuming supplements has become necessary to help ensure we provide our bodies with the nutrients they require on a daily basis.Â
The problem is, not all supplements are created equal and some really aren’t helping you on your wellness journey. Rather some companies rely on fancy labels with attractive claims to cover-up sub-par products, utilize synthetic ingredients and fillers in place of real whole ingredients, source products and ingredients that are undertested and lack certifications, and the list goes on.Â
Rest assured, there are plenty of high-quality supplements out there for you to choose from.Â
That leads to a few questions: How do you know if a supplement is safe? How do you know if a supplement will be helpful? In other words, how do you decipher the good from the bad and the exceptional from the average?Â
Let’s explore six supplement shopping mistakes and how to avoid them.Â
Trading Quality for Savings. More often than not, it’s the suspiciously cheap supplements that are the most problematic. Some of them are poorly sourced and processed leaving you with a potential timebomb in your health journey. Others are just plain old placebos full of fillers.
If the price is too good to be true, you might want to keep searching.
Choosing Synthetic over Whole. Synthetic vitamins are made artificially through an industrial process using chemicals. They are bonded with ingredients that are designed to mimic natural vitamins. Our bodies recognize these vitamin lookalikes and do what they can to remove them. This means that a very little amount of synthetic vitamins are absorbed by the body.Â
Ignoring Nutritional Details. We live in a culture where, in many cases, more is better and we get caught up in thinking that if a little is good then a lot is great. Well, that’s not the case when it comes to supplements and nutritional needs. Our bodies require different nutrients in a variety of quantities. With that, it’s always important to study the label and dosage before purchasing and consuming a supplement.Â
Going for Sweetened or Flavor-Enhanced Options. Sometimes, the healthiest items are not the tastiest. Going for sweetened or flavor-enhanced supplements means exposing yourself to artificial additives. A great way around this is consuming capsules that you can swallow with some water or juice.Â
Settling for Subpar Sourcing and Processing. Shop for supplements the way you shop for food or anything else you consider important to your life and health. This means doing your research. Just a few quick searches should give you information on the supplement brand, where they source ingredients, and how the supplements are processed.
If the information is absent and unimpressive, consider another supplement brand.Â
Underestimating the Value of Certifications. Today, it’s not enough to claim a product is safe and of the highest quality, anyone can make claims. When it comes down to it, a company must prove the safety, quality, and efficacy of their products. That’s where certifications come in. A brand that invests in certifications is serious about its product quality and safety. Many of these certifications including USDA Organic and NSF International to FDA’s Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) require yearly audits where manufacturing processes and products are tested and verified.Â
Hallmarks of a Good Supplement
Now that we know what to be aware of when it comes to selecting supplements, let's go ahead and explore four signs that a supplement is worth your investment.Â
High-Quality Ingredients. Shoot for high-quality food-based supplements as they closely match the vitamin complexes found in nature and typically contain the cofactors required to assist the body with the absorption of the nutrients making them more effective. This includes ingredients like wild mushrooms, organic Wild Microalgaeâ„¢, and more.Â
Rich in Micro and Macro Nutrients. A good supplement offers numerous nutritional benefits in one package. This makes combination supplements like Essentials by New Earth fantastic mainly for the sake of convenience.Â
Adaptable to Different Dietary Restrictions. This is particularly important if you are on a restricted diet whether it is keto, vegan, or even dairy-free.Â
Adequately Certified. It is also important to go with a brand that is recognized by different quality control groups. These include USDA Organic, Halal, and GMP among many others.Â
When it comes down to it the right kind of supplements are part of the recipe for a healthy lifestyle. It may take time to find the right supplement that fits both your needs and your quality and safety standards, but when you do, it can have a positive impact on both your health and quality of life.Â
Looking for a solution today? We invite you to explore our third-party certified superfood supplements!Â
