How to Choose Health Supplements
Although much remains to be done with health supplements. Ways to stop the risk of supplement manufacturers, as there are some things consumers can take to ensure that the supplements they use are safe and offer real benefits:
Consult your doctor or pharmacist
Even beneficial products can be dangerous. Some of them should not be eaten if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a chronic illness, are taking a medication that adversely interacts with the supplement, or you’re going to undergo elective surgery.
Beware of these categories
The FDA said the weight loss supplements, sexual improvement and bodybuilding have been problematic, because some contain steroids and prescription drugs.
Look for the mark “USP Verified” (verified by USP)
It indicates that the manufacturer has voluntarily requested to supplement the U.S. Pharmacopeia, a reliable authority and non-profit dedicated to establishing standards, to verify the quality, purity and potency of raw ingredients or finished products. The USP publishes a list of verified products on its website in www.uspverified.org.
Do not assume that more is better
There are possibilities of overdose even with beneficial vitamins and minerals. Avoid any product that claims to contain “megadoses.”
Report problems
If after taking a supplement you experience any symptoms, tell your doctor. And if you end up suffering from serious side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist to report to the FDA, or do it yourself at www.fda.gov / medwatch or call 800-332-1088.
Research in the right places
Be skeptical about claims that are made of supplements in advertising, on television and by vendors. Beware of those claims that are too good to be true, because surely they are not. Consumer Reports offers several links on the Internet to assess www.ConsumerReportsHealth.org supplements.