How Do You Know If Your Health Supplements Are Safe?

Have you considered adding an organic health supplement as part of your daily diet? If so, you’re certainly not alone. Millions of individuals of all ages take a variety of health supplements to help them fill in any gaps in their nutritional needs to ensure quality health. Taking a health supplement can help you address any weaknesses in your diet and help you remain active and healthy for years to come.
But with so many options, how do I know I’m taking the right health supplement for my specific needs? And how do I know they’re even safe? These are valid concerns, but for most people, taking an organic health supplement is a safe and effective way to round out your diet and ensure you’re getting the nutrients your body needs to fuel you through your day. Keep reading to learn more about health supplements and how they can make a real impact on your overall health and wellness every day.
What Do Health Supplements Do?
Let’s start with the basics. What exactly is the point of health supplements? According to the US Food and Drug Administration (the FDA), the purpose of a health supplement is to “supplement” your daily diet with specific vitamins, herbs, minerals, amino acids, or enzymes to help round out a healthy diet. Found in a variety of forms, such as tablets, powders, liquids, chewy gummies, or capsules, a health supplement is designed to help you obtain the nutrients your body needs when your daily diet just isn’t cutting it.
The health supplement market is huge. Just take a stroll down the aisle in your local grocery store or pharmacy and you’ll be sure to find a health supplement for almost any nutritional need. From a daily multivitamin to protein powder and melatonin supplements, there’s sure to be a health supplement out there to address your health needs.
Why Do People Take Health Supplements?
People take health supplements for a wide variety of reasons. In part, that’s why there’s simply so many different options when it comes to finding the right health supplement. Whether you’re looking to address an existing health problem or fill in a current gap in your daily diet, there are many different reasons to consider health supplements.
The main benefits really come down to which health supplements you’re using. For example, if you take a vitamin D3 supplement, you can expect a range of health benefits, including improved immunity, stronger bones, reduced inflammation, and even potentially a better mood. This, of course, is why it’s so important to know why you want to take a health supplement before simply loading up on those that might sound good. Determine your health goals first—then seek out a supplement that fits your needs.
What are the Benefits of Health Supplements?
What are some of the top benefits to taking a health supplement or two? Some of these primary reasons include:
- Ensuring you get the vitamins and nutrients you need.
- Rounding out a balanced diet.
- Boosting athletic performance.
- Lowering your risk of developing cardiovascular disease (and other diseases)·
- Maintaining good vision.
- Boosting your immune system.
- Sharpening your cognitive capabilities.
- Help you sleep at night.
- Help you maintain a healthy weight.
- Provide vital nutrients you may not get from a special diet, such as a vegetarian or vegan diet.
Are Health Supplements Safe?
One of the most common questions surrounding the world of health supplements is a very important one: are they safe? In most cases, the answer is a resounding yes. The FDA regulates, evaluates, and clinically tests any new dietary supplements that hit the market. However, health supplements do not necessarily require the FDA approval, but this governing body does still closely monitor and test new health supplements to make sure they’re safe. Thus, the FDA may not check to see if each new supplement delivers on its promises (like making you look 10 years younger), but they do make sure that the health supplement itself is safe and will not harm your overall health.
But keep in mind that there are still potential risks. Many health supplements have active ingredients that can affect your body and health. Depending on your current medical condition and overall health, these active ingredients may cause adverse effects. This is why you should be cautious about combining different health supplements because different active ingredients may not work well together. You should also be aware of using health supplements while taking prescription medications.
Also be sure that you’re not consuming too many health supplements or too much of just one vitamin. A key differentiator here is fat-soluble compared to water-soluble ones. Water-soluble vitamins, like Vitamin C, generally are safe no matter how much you consume because your body simply passes the excess through your urine. Fat-soluble vitamins, however, such as Vitamin A, build up in your body and may cause issues when you consume more than the recommended amount you see on the bottle.
This is why it’s really important to talk first with your doctor before you begin taking any health supplement or make a change to your diet. Chances are, few people can provide better insight into your health than your own doctor. Speak with them and they’ll be able to help you understand the potential effects of taking a health supplement. They may even be able to advise you on which ones will work best to help you meet your health goals.
Conclusion – Are Health Supplements Safe?
As you can see now, health supplements can be a safe and effective way to boost your overall health and address any existing gaps in your diet. But if you’re pregnant, under eighteen years of age, or experiencing a major medical condition, you should talk to your doctor before taking any health supplement. They can help you assess your specific healthcare needs and may even be able to help you find the perfect organic health supplement for you.