Just because a supplement is well-reviewed, doesn’t mean it’s the right one for you. Read on to learn how to choose the best supplements for your body.
Taking care of your body is important, and one of the best ways to care for your health is to take the best supplements and vitamins. However, what’s best for one person might not be best for everyone. Do you know how to choose the right products for you?
The majority of Americans take dietary supplements. But not everyone sees the results they want. This is usually because they aren’t taking the right ones.
Avoid wasting your time and money by learning which supplements are best for you. In this guide, we’ll teach you how to choose – keep reading to learn more.
Do I Really Need to Take Vitamins?
You might be wondering if supplements are truly necessary. The answer is yes! Even though a healthy diet matters too, taking supplements makes a huge difference in your life.
However, you can’t just take any old multivitamin. The cheaper ones are often simply made with rice powder and minimal beneficial ingredients. High-quality supplements like RUI-Products cost more, but you get what you pay for.
In addition to multivitamins, there are a few other supplements that you should take. Many people benefit from probiotics, fish or flaxseed oil, vitamin D during winter, and more.
That doesn’t mean you should skip eating whole foods as part of a balanced, healthy diet.
However, it’s hard, if not impossible, to get ideal amounts of nutrients from your diet alone. You’ll get the basic amounts you need to survive, but not the optimal amounts that will help you thrive.
When you have a busy, stressful life, that also changes the way your body processes things, and how many nutrients you need. The more stressed you are, the more you need antioxidants.
Ready to choose the best supplements for you? Here’s how to figure out just what you need.
1. Figure Out Your Vitamin Needs
Everyone’s nutritional needs are different. Some of the factors that affect what you should take include your diet, your age, your current health concerns, and any medical issues you’re at risk for.
For example, people with a high risk of osteoporosis should take plenty of vitamin D and calcium. If you’re planning to get pregnant, you should take folic acid, which has been shown to reduce the likelihood of birth defects. People who want to focus on their heart health will do well to take more omega-3s.
2. Research Carefully
Now, it’s time to do some research on the supplements that will benefit you the most. Start looking at the risks and benefits of each supplement you’re looking at, and exactly how it can help you.
Don’t just buy something because you heard or read about it somewhere. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
A good way to make sure you’re buying the right supplements is to check the containers for the right seals. A number of independent organizations run tests to make sure the supplements use ingredients that are completely safe.
Find out how much of each supplement you’re supposed to take, and how long you’re advised to take it for. If you have questions about certain ingredients, call the manufacturer.
3. Talk to Your Doctor
You should never make any changes that could affect your health without talking to your doctor first, and supplements are no exception. Your doctor will help you find out important information, such as potential side effects from the supplement.
There are a number of side effects that might surprise you. For example, people who take blood thinners can’t take high doses of vitamin K, since it makes your blood more likely to clot. If you have a surgery coming up, you should avoid taking omega-3s, since they increase your risks of bleeding.
A doctor will also help you understand how to fit new supplements in with your diet. Some supplements should be taken with food, while others shouldn’t.
Finally, there’s always a daily recommended intake for different supplements. This depends on factors like your gender and age. Health conditions and other factors can change that recommended level.
No matter what, you should expect that you’ll still have to eat healthy and stay on top of your medical care while taking supplements. You should also write down what you take, and keep track of any side effects that start to occur.
4. Consider Ingredients
It’s all too easy to take an overdose of certain ingredients that can become toxic, especially when you’re taking more than one supplement at once.
There are upper limits for certain minerals and vitamins set by the government for safety. Be sure to familiarize yourself with what those are, and then carefully read labels to make sure that you won’t accidentally overdose. Keep in mind that some supplements contain more than one thing. For example, your calcium vitamin might also include some vitamin D.
Don’t forget that you’re also getting minerals and vitamins from your foods, too. Also, supplements can contain inactive ingredients such as certain herbs that might be harmful in certain doses, or when mixed with certain things. Supplements don’t go through the same rigorous tests that medications do, so you have to be more careful.
You should always avoid any vitamins or supplements that contain over 100 percent of the daily value. At best, you’ll be wasting your money on more than you need, and at worst, you’re putting yourself at risk of taking dangerous amounts of ingredients.
Keep in mind that other additives, such as herbs, often don’t do much good, even if they’re not harmful. Look for the purest form of the vitamin or supplement instead.
Ready to Choose the Best Supplements?
Armed with this knowledge, you’re now prepared to choose the best supplements for your needs. Picking the right vitamins and supplements is important – your health and safety are at stake.
Want more natural ways to improve your health through your diet? You can grow a lot of safe, healthy herbs at home – check out this guide for more.
