Contents
What are Nutritional Supplements?
How to Find the Right Supplements
How to Take Supplements
Nutritional Supplement Tables
Vitamins
Minerals
Botanicals
Amino Acids
Essential Fatty Acids
Digestive Enzymes
Phytochemicals
Fiber
Probiotics
Unique Nutritional Compounds
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How to Find the Right Supplements
To buy the nutritional supplements that suit you best, follow these four steps:
- Identify the specific supplements that interest you.
- Consult your healthcare provider.
- Find a reliable retailer.
- Choose a particular supplement.
Identify Supplements
Use the nutritional supplement tables in this guide to research and identify supplements that may benefit you.
Consult Your Healthcare Provider
Though nearly all nutritional supplements are available over the counter, you should still consult your healthcare provider before taking one. Doing so will help you:
- Determine whether the supplement meets your needs
- Decide on the proper dosage or regimen
- Identify complications the supplement might cause, such as interfering with medication you already take
Find a Reliable Retailer
You can buy nutritional supplements from several sources:
- Websites: Internet suppliers are typically less expensive than retail stores, and shipping may take only two to three days. Since not all web-based retailers are trustworthy, compare sellers, read consumer reviews, and look for certification from independent labs before buying supplements online.
- Nutrition stores: Nutrition stores such as GNC and The Vitamin Shoppe usually offer several lines of supplements (some offer their own brand exclusively). Though often pricier than catalogs or websites, stores have full-time staff to answer your questions.
- Natural food stores: Natural food stores such as Whole Foods, Wild Oats, and local co-ops usually have a wide selection of types and brands of supplements, and some also have salespeople who are knowledgeable about nutritional supplements.
- Other retailers: Dozens of nationwide retailers, including pharmacies and supermarkets, now offer nutritional supplements. Some even sell their own lines. Prices at these stores are lower than those at specialty stores, but low prices come with minimal customer service and, sometimes, poor quality. Even so, if you know the exact brand and form of supplement you need, discount retailers are tough to beat in terms of price and convenience.
Many manufacturers and suppliers will also send out mail‑order catalogs upon request.
Choose a Particular Supplement
When choosing a supplement, you’ll have to decide what form you want the supplement in and what brand to buy.
Choose a Form
The form of a supplement you should choose depends on personal preference and how you plan to use the supplement. For instance, if you’re taking a supplement to deal with a skin rash, you may want to choose an ointment. If you have trouble swallowing pills, look for a form that doesn’t require swallowing.
Choose a Brand
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)—the U.S. government agency that oversees the quality and safety of food and medicine—provides only limited oversight of the nutritional supplements industry. For this reason, most supplements lack the rigorous clinical testing track record that foods and medications have. Buy only those nutritional supplements that have received verification from an independent quality testing laboratory, such as www.consumerlab.com, the industry leader. The ConsumerLab Approved Quality Product Seal of Certification indicates that a supplement actually does contain the quantity and quality of ingredients that the label claims.
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