How To Determine if You Should Use Dietary Supplements
There are many different supplements that can be used to address specific health concerns.In addition to vitamins, minerals, and other ingredients, there are also herbs that come in many different forms.Before you start taking a supplement, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the different factors that you should consider.
Step 1: Ask your doctor about supplement interactions.
Some conditions that can make it dangerous for you to take supplements can benefit most people.The processing of vitamins and minerals may be affected by these conditions.Discuss what supplements are good for you with your doctor.If you already take prescription and over-the-counter drugs, ask your doctor or pharmacist if they have any interactions with supplements.The effectiveness of blood thinners can be reduced by vitamins K and K.
Step 2: Take into account supplement side effects.
Some supplements can contribute to certain health problems.Some supplements may cause you to have health issues.Depending on your personal history, your doctor can tell you if you are at risk for some of these side effects.Smoking has been shown to increase the risk of lung cancer.Taking vitamins may increase the risk of cancer.
Step 3: You should get your blood tested.
You should have your blood tested when you talk to your doctor.You can use this to determine if you have any deficiencies.You and your doctor can decide if supplements are right for you.A change in diet or a balanced diet can be suggested by your doctor to fix your deficiencies.The blood test is usually not covered by your insurance.Your doctor can suggest supplements for you.Your doctor can tell you to take vitamins if you have a deficiency.
Step 4: If you can help prevent genetic conditions, that's great.
You should discuss your medical history with your doctor.Some supplements can help you fight against certain diseases.Your doctor can help you make a decision.If you have a family history of cancer, your doctor may suggest supplements that help protect you from the disease.
Step 5: Use supplements to strengthen your body.
Some people may need to take supplements because of deficiencies in their food consumption or special needs.Because of the foods that they don't eat, vegan and vegetarian people may miss out on some vitamins.If you are a vegan or vegetarian, supplements can be used to fill the gaps in your diet.You may need more vitamins and minerals.Your diet is the best way to get the vitamins and minerals you need.If your needs aren't being met with the foods you eat, supplements can help.Women who are pregnant have special needs.Women who may become pregnant should take an iron supplement.Those who have other restrictions will need to take supplements.If you don't eat the recommended two to three serving of fish a week, you should consider adding a fish oil supplement.Adults over the age of 65 should take a supplement to keep their bones healthy.
Step 6: There are supplements that aren't miracle cures.
The purpose of supplements is to improve your health and well being.It doesn't mean that a supplement will cure the issue.You should always check with your doctor if you are unsure if a supplement will help you, since they don't have to back their claims with testing.Use the supplements to improve your health instead of expecting them to cure your ailments.That is what they are supposed to do.
Step 7: Talk to your doctor.
If you are taking a medication, you may want to ask your doctor if there are any side effects.Information about drug and supplement interactions can be found in pharmacists.If you take your supplements to the pharmacy, they can see what ingredients you have in them that could cause an interaction.
Step 8: Natural supplements can be bought.
Natural or non-synthetic supplements should be purchased when possible.Unless your doctor tells you differently, buy the natural supplements.The natural versions are closer to what your body expects.Some vitamins may be derived from whole foods.These can be a little more expensive, which may make it hard for you to buy them.
Step 9: There are different forms of the same supplement.
There are different forms of supplements.Some will be absorbed better than others because they have different concentrations.You will have to take more of one than the other.It is possible to say that magnesium comes as magnesium citrate and magnesium oxide.It has better absorption and is more expensive.It means you have to take less.You have to take more magnesium oxide to get the same effect.
Step 10: How much of the supplement are you getting?
Because of the small print, nutrition labels can be hard to understand.You can see how much of the supplement you are getting on the label.If the supplement is part of a pill, look for the label.This is the amount of the supplement you are getting.If the label reads "10MG of Magnesium," this means you are getting 10MG.The amount of magnesium taken away by the citrate in the dose is what makes it less than 10mg.
Step 11: Pick the right form.
It is possible to produce supplements as powders, tablets, capsule, or liquids.Some are better absorbed as a specific form.Do you know which form is best for the supplements you are taking?It will depend on your situation, there are no right or wrong forms of the supplements.B vitamins can be better absorbed in liquid form than in tablets and capsule.You can make your decision based on what is easiest for you to swallow.You might want to take the liquid form if you have a hard time swallowing pills.
Step 12: Buy from reliable manufacturers.
Make sure you buy your supplements from trustworthy manufacturers.One way to find out if a supplement is legit is to have them tested.Reputable manufacturers buy and use the best raw materials and invest in having their products tested for quality and purity.High quality organic supplements can be found.You can find seals of approval from reliable labs on the label.The supplements are not bad because they haven't been tested.If you are unsure of certain manufacturers, you can always ask your doctor.There are online ads for miracle minerals and supplements.These types of supplements are likely not regulated by the FDA.These claims are not true because supplements don't cure anything.You can call the manufacturer to find out more about their quality controls.Consumer information should be free of charge for the better companies.
Step 13: Take the correct amount.
Depending on which supplement you take, the specific doses you need to take will vary.You should always read the label to know how much you should take each day.You can overdose on supplements.If you are unsure, you can ask your doctor how much to take.
Step 14: Follow the recommended diet.
Just like drugs, supplements have recommended allowances.Your age, gender, and situation will affect the RDA of supplements.They will be different based on each supplement.There are many daily values that exceed the RDA.If you want to get the benefits of the supplement, you have to take a minimum of one day a week.
Step 15: Any side effects should be recognized.
If you take too many supplements, they can cause toxicity.The B vitamins do not cause problems because they are flushed out when you urinate.There are other people that can cause problems.Fat-soluble vitamins, such as Vitamins D, E and A, can cause toxicity because they are stored in body fat and can be released over time.