There’s one saying which says “If you don’t have your health, you don’t have anything.” If you think about it, you will realize that it’s completely true. It’s because it really takes a bit of a health problem, something not deadly, such as a fever or an infection, to see that you only need your health to be happy, and alive, of course.
In order to ensure they receive the nutrients they need, a lot of people started taking natural health supplements. There are different types of supplements, depending on which one(s) you need. Not only they are super-healthy but also very convenient because they come in the form of pills or tinctures, so it’s pretty easy to consume them. However, in order to find the right supplements for you, there are certain things you should consider.
Know Your Needs
It’s true there are numerous supplements on the market, but that doesn’t mean you need all of them. That’s why, before you go shopping for supplements, you need to know which ones you need. That depends on your health condition. Namely, do you have a problem with acne, hair falling out, low immune system, slow metabolism, or something else?
Since you can’t know exactly which nutrients you are missing and what supplements you should take (unless you are a doctor), you should consult with your doctor. Tell them your problem, how you feel, the symptoms, and any other related information, and they will tell you what to do. Sometimes they, first, ask for a blood test or a different type of analysis, depending on your problem, before giving any answer. Sometimes, if the problem is not serious, they tell you what you should take.
Know What You Eat
Not everyone eats everything. Some people, like the vegans or vegetarians, eat a lot of fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds, and other plant-based foods, but they don’t eat meat, eggs, fish, and milk, which are also an important source of nutrients. In order for their body to function properly and not have any nutrient deficiency, they have to take certain nutritional supplements, such as omega fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals.
Regardless of your diet and eating habits, you should know what you eat and what you don’t eat. It’s because that will help you identify which foods, and with that nutrients, you are lacking. Then, you will be able to know which ones you need to compensate for the deficiency.
Choose Supplements Adequate for Your Age
Sometimes, you don’t have to have any health condition in order to need supplements. It’s because that also depends on your age. As we grow older, our body slowly stops working as efficiently as it used to previously. Therefore, some people start losing focus, have weaker bones, lose energy, and experience other conditions that are normal for a certain age. That’s why, if you are 50 or over, you should consult with your doctor and start taking supplements, such as those for boosting your brain function, vitamins and minerals, and similar.
Choose Supplements from a Reliable Brand
There are hundreds of different supplements on the market. However, they are not equal. It’s because their quality and efficiency depend on the manufacturer, the ingredients, and the production conditions. In order to find out which brands are reliable, you should:
- Check the manufacturer’s website, social media profiles, and customers’ reviews
- Look for third-party lab reports, also known as Certificate of Analysis
- Look for manufacturer’s transparency
- Look for natural supplements that have some or all of the following certifications: USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, Gluten-free Certification Organization, and the manufacturer is a certified B Corporation.
Know the Supplement and How to Take It
In order to buy a quality product, you have to understand its benefits, potential side-effects and risks, dosage, and the length of therapy. If a certain product is lacking any of this information, you should call the manufacturer and ask for that information. Of course, you should also check with your doctor, so they look at that information and check whether or not a particular supplement is safe for you.
Look for Active Form Supplements
Many natural supplements, such as vitamins and minerals, are harder to absorb which results in no effect on your health. In order to make sure they are fully-efficient, you should look for supplements that are bioavailable. You can check this on their label, as it would usually write “active form”, “bioavailable”, or “optimized”.
In the end, we would like to remind you that your supplements don’t replace your food. Therefore, you should make sure your diet is in accordance with the supplements in order to avoid excess nutrients. Otherwise, it may cause certain disorders in your body, such as nausea, vomiting, and headaches.