Recent Posts
Everything You Need to Know About Vivelle-Dot Generic
Ozempic vs. Mounjaro: The Differences Explained
How Long Does Estradiol Take to Work? A Complete Guide

8 Facts to Know When Taking the Most Popular Supplements

Imagine you log into Instagram and see your feed full of health posts. Your favorite accounts are posting about the most popular supplements and their benefits.

It can be easy to see those posts and think you should take those supplements. They help your favorite creators, so they must help you, right?

Unfortunately, there’s more to supplements than meets the eye. Keep reading if you want to take supplements.

1. Major Claims Are Just That

Whenever you hear claims from supplement manufacturers or your friends who love a particular supplement, be skeptical. The most popular supplement brands make claims about their products.

For example, you may have heard of some of the most popular collagen supplements. Companies that sell those products want you to believe they can help you get healthy, long hair.

Sure, your hair may grow while you take the supplement. But it probably won’t grow as long as you expect or hope, or it may grow slowly.

Remember that those claims on supplement bottles are claims and nothing more. Just because your best friend had great results doesn’t mean you will.

2. They’re Supplements, Not Alternatives

Remember that supplements are supplements. You shouldn’t take them as an alternative to eating a healthy diet.

Of course, it’s easier to say that, but eating a healthy diet is essential for everyone. A supplement is supposed to cover the small things that your diet might not have.

Perhaps you’re a vegan and so need to take a vitamin B12 supplement. In that case, you should take a supplement so that you get all of your nutrients.

But if you’re taking the most popular supplements to avoid eating healthy, that’s a problem. You should try to get some fruits and vegetables each day, and use supplements as necessary.

3. They Come in Many Forms

If you’ve looked around a pharmacy, you’ve probably seen the most popular supplement brands offer different forms. You can take a supplement like a regular pill, as a capsule or tablet.

Some supplements also come in a gummy form, so you can chew the gummy to get your vitamins or minerals. A gummy supplement is an excellent option for kids and anyone who doesn’t want an extra pill to take.

But you can also find supplements that offer a single vitamin as well as multi-vitamin supplements. A multi-vitamin can be useful if you have different deficiencies, but single-nutrient options can also fill your dietary needs.

Consider a few different forms of the most popular supplements. That way, you can choose an option that’s right for you and your health.

4. Not All Are Safe

Unfortunately, not all supplements are safe for all people. Some supplements can reduce the effectiveness of certain medications, for example.

If you’re on a blood thinner, you may want to avoid supplements like vitamin K and CoQ10. They can lower your medicine’s effectiveness, which may increase your risk of a heart attack.

Other medications may interact with other supplements and keep your medication from working properly. You should consider the meds you’re currently taking and talk to your doctor.

Once you decide a supplement is safe for you, you can take it. But don’t assume it’s safe just because it’s available at your pharmacy.

5. Safe vs. Safe Conditions

Another thing you should consider when taking the most popular supplements is the difference between safe products and safe conditions. Some supplements state they’re safe, but they may be referring to the manufacturing conditions.

The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) doesn’t regulate the safety of the supplements themselves. Instead, the Act requires that companies produce supplements in safe conditions.

Because of that slight difference, a company could use safety measures when manufacturing its most popular supplements. But it’s possible that the supplements have issues.

Talk to your doctor before starting a new supplement or switching brands. That way, you can make sure you take safe supplements.

6. They’re Part of Your Medical History

If you’ve never taken prescription medications before, you may not think of supplements like meds. But they are a part of your medical history.

When you visit the doctor, you should report your supplements to your provider so that they can add the supplement to your records. Even if you’ve only taken supplements for a short period, they’re important to note.

Your current supplements could affect the medications that your doctor prescribes. After all, your doctor wants to avoid negative interactions between drugs.

If you don’t tell your doctor about a supplement, they may prescribe you something that isn’t right for you. Make sure you’re honest about the most popular supplements that you take. It’s in your best interest.

7. Less May Be Better

If you need to supplement multiple vitamins and minerals, you may think about taking a multivitamin. In some cases, that may be your best option.

But if you only have a couple of deficiencies, you should also consider individual supplements. Sometimes, getting too much of a vitamin or mineral can also cause problems.

If your diet already includes quite a bit of iron, for example, you should avoid supplementing with iron. In that case, you may want to avoid a multivitamin, even if you need more vitamin B12 and more calcium.

And don’t forget about potential interactions with other supplements and medications. You should stick to the supplements that you need. Ask your doctor for their recommendation to choose products that will benefit you.

8. Your Doctor Is On Your Side

It may sometimes seem like your doctor asks about supplements to judge you. But in most cases, your doctor wants the best for you.

They don’t necessarily think you’re crazy for taking multiple supplements. Your doctor wants to know so that they can give you the best care possible.

It can be easy to feel embarrassed about your medications. However, sharing them will help you in the long run.

Taking the Most Popular Supplements

For many people, the most popular supplements can provide an easy way to get important nutrients. But there’s a lot more to these products than meets the eye.

If you take prescriptions or have a specific diet, a supplement can help. But the wrong one can cause problems and interact with your other drugs.

Speaking of which, do you take prescriptions? Save time on your health and order your next refill online.

Works Cited

https://www.fda.gov/food/food-labeling-nutrition/label-claims-food-dietary-supplements

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/7-supplements-for-vegans

Contact Us

https://ods.od.nih.gov/About/DSHEA_Wording.aspx

How to Order