Are you wondering how to stay as healthy, vital and fit as possible? No matter what your specific concerns may be, there are dietary supplements designed to help. There are no magic pills; exercising and eating right are crucial. Still, supplements can play a big part in helping you feel your best.

The first step is determining what you want. For digestive support, look for prebiotics and probiotics. To boost your immune system, turn to antioxidants and multivitamins. For more energy, concentrate on vitamin B12, iron and caffeine. To help you get a better night’s sleep, try melatonin or valerian root. Many supplements contain more than one effective ingredient, and you may need to experiment before you discover the combination that works best for you.

Check For Purity

If what you buy is not a high-quality product, it won’t do much good. The Food and Drug Administration regulates dietary supplements, requiring evidence that they are safe for human consumption. However, much of the responsibility for purity and strength lies with the manufacturer. Be sure the supplements you select are made in conjunction with the FDA’s Good Manufacturing Practices, to ensure they are properly packaged, free of contaminants and accurately labeled.

Buy Direct

If the supplement brands you prefer have their own website, purchase products directly from them. For example, if you find bio complete 3 on Amazon, it will likely not be the freshest, most potent version of the product. It may not be the authentic product at all. Distributors sometimes get their hands on products close to - or past - their expiration date, or they may be obtaining counterfeits without realizing it. Avoid the issue by buying directly from the manufacturer whenever possible. Some manufacturers do not retail their own products; in that case, their website should direct you to authorized distributors. Never buy used products or open containers on auction sites.

Consult Your Physician

As with many health matters, the best place to start is with your physician. Your doctor knows your unique health history and can address your concerns better than anyone else. Asking for a professional opinion is especially important if you have certain conditions such as heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure. Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should discuss supplements with an obstetrician or pediatrician before starting a regimen.

Consult with your pharmacist or doctor if you are taking any medications, as supplements may interact with them. For example, several substances can thin the blood, including some prescription medications, vitamin E and ginkgo biloba. Taking too many of them can multiply their effects and lead to excessive bleeding, externally or internally. In other instances, a natural supplement may render a prescription drug less effective.

Conduct Your Own Research

Augment your conversations with your doctor by conducting a fair amount of research on your own. Online articles can be informative, but examine them carefully. The information should come from a reliable source. Many government agencies, research organizations, universities and respected medical establishments publish pieces on their own websites. Other sites may have trustworthy information, if articles are written by medical professionals or if they reference dependable sources. Studies are constantly uncovering new information, so seek out current data. Beware of blatant advertisements and claims that are too good to be true.

Check In With Yourself

After taking a supplement for a short time, ask yourself how you feel. Are you experiencing the benefits you anticipated? Do you feel worse than you did prior to taking it? Are there any side effects that you did not expect, either good or bad? Not all products show noticeable results right away, so be sure to allow the proper time period before evaluating their efficacy. However, if you are on your second or third re-order and you still don’t notice a difference, it may be time to try a different product. If you experience severe side effects, see your doctor immediately.

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Written By:

Paisley Hansen is a freelance writer and expert in health, fitness, and growing young. When she isn’t writing she can usually be found reading a good book or hitting the gym. She loves hearing from readers so feel free to contact her through Facebook.

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.

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