When grabbing supplements from the store shelf or shopping on e-commerce platforms, choosing safe, high-quality ones can feel daunting. Fortunately, you can take a few tips to help make the process easier.
Look for third-party seals like NSF International, USP, UL, and Consumer Lab to verify that the products contain what they claim. Also, look for membership in well-established trade associations.
Manufacturer’s Reputation
In a perfect world, your supplements would contain exactly what is on their labels, and any claims about their benefits would be accurate. However, there isn’t a lot of regulation of dietary supplements in the US, so many scammers have found a way to make money from unsuspecting consumers. It is important to find out if the manufacturer you are buying from has been in business for a long time and has an excellent track record. Avoid supplements that make drug-like claims, promise miracle results, or are advertised as a “limited edition.” It is also a good idea to steer clear of companies that frequently change their names.
This could be a sign that they are using stolen products to sell them or that their manufacturing facilities are not up to standard. You should learn more about the company by searching for its name and website on trusted review sites. You can also check if their products have been verified by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP). This independent not-for-profit organization sets federally recognized public standards for medicines, dietary supplements, and food ingredients.
Price
Whether you shop in stores or online, price should be a major factor when buying supplements. If a supplement’s price is too low, it may be counterfeit or contain ineffective ingredients. However, if the price is too high, it could be a sign that the seller has inflated shipping costs or is avoiding taxes and other fees. Moreover, it’s important to buy local supplements when possible. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also support the local economy. You can also trust local supplement stores to provide quality products since their employees are passionate about healthy living. You can click here for more information and health supplement options.
Third-Party Certifications
Supplements are a convenient way to boost your daily health habits and address specific nutritional needs. However, the supplements you choose can make or break your overall wellness goals. This is why looking for third-party certifications when shopping online is important. These certifications help ensure that you are getting high-quality supplements from reputable manufacturers.
To earn a third-party certification, a company must meet certain criteria, including independent verification of management systems and supply chains, product or service testing, and compliance with applicable regulations. This certification demonstrates that a company is committed to quality and safety, which can help build trust among customers and investors.
While the FDA doesn’t regulate over-the-counter supplements, third-party certifications like those from USP and NSF can help you identify quality products. You should also watch for claims that seem too good to be true. In addition, be sure to buy from a trusted source, such as an integrative healthcare practitioner who can recommend the right supplements for your unique needs and wellness plan. This can help prevent you from purchasing low-quality, fraudulent supplements that may cause harmful side effects.
Ingredients
The ingredients used in supplements vary by manufacturer, and the FDA doesn’t regulate them as strictly as prescription drugs. As such, buying products that don’t offer what the labels claim is possible.
One way to ensure that you’re getting what the label claims is to look for third-party marks and seals of approval. These third-party organizations evaluate a product’s strength, identity, purity, and composition. They may verify that the supplement meets standardized good manufacturing practices (GMPs).
Companies that display these third-party marks and seals can often provide a Certificate of Analysis, which provides detailed information about each batch of a specific product. The COA may be printed on the label or accessed on the company’s website. It’s also important to check whether your products are free of common food allergens, such as dairy, gluten, fish, shellfish, peanuts, soy, and wheat. Some manufacturers note that their products are certified vegan or USDA organic, which doesn’t necessarily mean they contain no allergens.
Safety
Unfortunately, supplements aren’t evaluated for safety or effectiveness in the same way as prescription drugs. This means that even though a supplement may contain what’s on the label, there could be other ingredients or contaminants. For this reason, it’s important to only buy third-party tested supplements with a Good Manufacturing Practices certification.
A supplement with a USP Verified mark has passed quality assurance tests, including verifying the ingredients’ identity, strength, purity, and potency. USP also ensures manufacturers create products in facilities following Food and Drug Administration guidelines. It’s also important to avoid supplements that claim to cure specific diseases or are marketed as “breakthroughs” or “discoveries.” These types of claims are often fraudulent and can cause harm. Remember, supplements are designed to supplement your diet, not replace it. You should always consult your healthcare provider before taking any supplements, and if you’re considering buying them online, beware of products that are too cheap to be true. They may be counterfeit or expired.
