What Consumers Need to Know About Supplements Before Making a Purchase
Countless men today choose to use supplements. Many of these supplements claim they provide health benefits. However, they are not regulated.
How can a person find the best supplements for men? What should they look for when making this purchase? Many factors need to be considered when shopping for these products to ensure the person will get a supplement that will improve their health.
What Are Supplements?
To be considered a supplement, a product must have at least one dietary ingredient in the form of vitamins, minerals, probiotics, or other nutrients. This product is taken by mouth and might come in capsule, liquid, or gummy form, among others. Many people don’t need supplements because they get what their body needs from their diet. However, certain people need some help in this area, and they need to ensure they get the best supplements for men or women. If they don’t, they won’t see the desired benefits.
Why Supplements Aren’t a Cure-All
A person cannot take a supplement and expect it to replace a healthy diet. They still need to eat a variety of foods to ensure their body gets vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients needed to thrive. Supplements supply a concentrated amount of select nutrients, so alone they aren’t enough to offer the nutritional benefits a person needs.
Who May Benefit from Supplements?
Healthy adults typically don’t need supplements. However, a male who struggles with a nutritional deficiency or one who has a medical condition that leads to nutrient malabsorption will find supplements help them meet their nutritional requirements. Men who have opted for bariatric surgery will need supplements as their body adjusts to its new nutritional requirements and some vegans and vegetarians benefit from supplementation. In addition, doctors recommend certain supplements, such as vitamin D, to patients who struggle to maintain healthy levels of certain vitamins and minerals in their bodies.
Choosing the Right Supplements
One thing a person must remember is dietary supplements aren’t regulated. The Food and Drug Administration doesn’t oversee the production of these products, so it falls on the buyer to know what they are getting. The only government regulation when it comes to these products is manufacturers must adhere to Current Good Manufacturing Practices. For this reason, a person should only buy those supplements that have undergone third-party testing.
This testing is carried out by several companies and will provide a consumer with the information they need to make an informed decision regarding a supplement. The testing looks at things such as consistency between batches, the accuracy of label information, and whether the product is free of harmful contaminants. Athletes should also ask about products that are NSF Certified for Sport. These products do not contain substances banned by major sports organizations.
Potential Interactions
A person should never take supplements without speaking to their doctor. When combined with other supplements, OTC medications, prescription drugs, or alcohol, dietary supplements may produce some negative side effects. For instance, vitamin E should not be combined with blood-thinning medications, as it increases the risk of bleeding. Supplements might also alter blood results, leading to inaccurate information.
Healthy men and women should focus on eating a healthy diet, as this is the best way to ensure their nutritional needs are met. However, certain people find they need supplements, as they may have a nutritional deficiency or a medical condition that prevents them from absorbing certain nutrients. When this is the case, know what to look for when buying, and talk with your doctor to ensure the right product is selected. We all need help at times, and supplements can provide this help. Learn more today to see which supplements might be of benefit for your unique circumstances.