Adding supplements into your wellness routine has the potential to increase your health and boost your quality of life. However, you should not simply head to the nearest store and pick up whatever popular supplements are displayed on the shelf. Instead, you should take time to learn how to navigate around the three major concerns with supplements. What are those concerns, and how can you deal with them successfully? This blog post explains.
Effectiveness
It is not required that a supplement is proven to be effective before it hits the market. Since you don’t want to waste your money on a product that may offer little to no benefit, it is important that you do some research. To get you started, here is a list of a few supplements that have been well-studied and are known to offer substantial benefits:
- Calcium and vitamin D are beneficial for bone health.
- Folic acid deceases the risk of birth defects.
- Omega-3 fatty acids may decrease the risk of heart disease.
A qualified holistic physician can offer suggestions on other supplements that are consistently effective. They may even offer nutritional testing that can help you identify which specific supplements are most likely to benefit you personally.
Safety and Risk
For the most part, supplements are safe. However, you might run into adverse side effects if you take extremely high doses or combine a lot of different supplements. Be sure to seek medical attention if you notice any severe symptoms that could be related to your supplements.
There is also a risk that your supplements could interact with certain medications. For example, vitamin K can interfere with warfarin (a blood thinner), and some antioxidant supplements might reduce the effectiveness of chemotherapy. To minimize your risk, be sure that your doctor knows which supplements and medications you are currently taking. They may advise you to stop some supplements in order to maintain your health.
Quality
The FDA has established guidelines that supplement companies must adhere to in order to ensure that the purity and strength of their products meet certain standards.
There are also independent organizations that test supplements to make sure they contain the ingredients listed on the label, have minimal levels of contaminants, and are properly manufactured. Such organizations include ConsumerLab, NSF International, and U.S. Pharmacopeia. If a product meets their standards, it will have a seal of approval.
If you ever have questions about how to find a high-quality supplement, ask a holistic doctor. They can recommend brands and specific products that have a good reputation.
Navigating the wide world of dietary supplements can be tricky at times. Be sure to look for products that are effective, safe, and high-quality so you can enjoy all the benefits of a balanced wellness routine.
Meet the Practice
Dr. Derek Murphy is a holistic physician who is proud to offer nutritional testing and supplement guidance to patients in the St. Cloud area. If you are just getting started on your supplement journey or are looking to refine your supplement routine, he would be pleased to consult with you. Contact our office at 407-319-7541.
