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How Can You Choose a Good Supplement?

How can you find a good supplement to provide the nutrients you need? We offer some resources to help with the search.

The topic of supplements has long been controversial, with some health care professionals claiming that people who eat a well-balanced diet need no additional vitamins or minerals. Others, in contrast, are enthusiastic about the healing power of some particular nutrient added to the diet. For most people, a multivitamin may provide a bit of nutritional insurance. Some individuals need supplements because they are taking drugs that deplete the body of nutrients. But how do you find a good supplement?

Choosing a Good Supplement:

Q. With the wide variety and brands of supplements available and, as far as I am aware, no FDA regulations, how does one choose a quality product? I need to take vitamin D, calcium and magnesium.

Sometimes when I think I have chosen a good product labeled “all natural” and I read the label, I find other added ingredients (such as mannitol and sorbitol) that I am not supposed to consume for my gut health. Where can I turn for advice?

A. There is no substitute for reading labels when you need to avoid certain ingredients such as mannitol, sorbitol or other so-called sugar alcohols. But it is very difficult to tell which supplements meet quality standards. You won’t find that on the label.

Check ConsumerLab.com:

ConsumerLab.com is a good resource even though there is an annual subscription fee for its reports. It recently reviewed multivitamins and found that 46 percent fell short. Gummy multivitamins were especially problematic. This information can be crucial for finding a good supplement.

Do You Need a Supplement?

One of our favorite sources for determining which vitamins and minerals might be needed, above and beyond a diet rich in veggies and fruit, is Dr. Tieraona Low Dog’s book, Fortify Your Life. In it, you’ll find an explanation of the main vitamins and minerals along with details on which medications may be leading to nutritional inadequacy.

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About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
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