3 Most important keys to know before starting a supplement
So you are Looking to Start Taking a Nutrition Supplement?
Before starting any supplement, make sure your nutrition is in check. If your diet is not balanced, a supplement is NOT going to fix the problem. Always check with your doctor before starting any supplement. Certain medications may have interactions; therefore, it is also recommended to speak to a pharmacist before starting a supplement and check for medication interactions.
There are thousands of different supplements on the market; this is a multi-billion dollar industry! Certain supplements may be beneficial, while others are not. In this blog I am focusing on what to look for to make sure the supplement is safe to intake.
When looking for supplements, knowing what is ACTUALLY in the supplement is key! Unfortunately, supplements are not regulated by the FDA which means we don’t know what is truly in these supplements. Studies and lawsuits have shown that some brands don’t even have the ingredient/supplement that is claimed to be in the product, even in the product. On top of that, supplements could potentially have banned substances and/or items that could be harmful.
Look for 3rd party certificates to ensure product safety
Third party certification helps to ensure safety of the product. For athletes, these certifications also help to ensure that you are not going to get a banned substance. For certain health conditions, like celiac disease, this is also very important as you need to know if an item is safe to consume.
Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) are seals that are most common in the supplement industry and have standardized testing to ensure a safe supplement.
Third party certification may vary slightly depending on the company, but typically represents a four stage process:
Product and manufacturing review
Pre certification sample testing
Product certification and logo use and web listing
Post certification requirements and testing
With this continuous review; the third party certification companies will inform consumers if a product falls away from certification and may even perform recalls.
Supplements are typically accredited by one company; so knowing the various companies is important.
Third party certification options include:
USP Verified
https://www.usp.org/verification-services/verified-mark
NSF content Verified
https://www.nsf.org/knowledge-library/what-is-nsf-certification
Sports:
You don’t want to be banned from your sport or miss games because of taking a supplement that had a banned substance!
NSF Certified for Sport
Informed Sport/Choice
https://sport.wetestyoutrust.com/
https://choice.wetestyoutrust.com/
BSCG
https://www.bscg.org/supplements-for-athletes-consumers-and-animals/
BSCG offers a few different options, so make sure what you need is certified! Per their website:
“BSCG Certified Drug Free® provides protection against drugs on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List as well as, prescription, over-the-counter (OTC), and illicit drugs not banned in sport.
BSCG Certified Quality™ conducts testing to verify ingredient identity and label claims meet specifications as well as checking for heavy metals, microbiological agents, pesticides, and solvents.
BSCG Certified GMP™ provides onsite audits to verify that manufacturers are in compliance with Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP).”
Direct sites to check for certified products:
Websites are listed with their respective certification. The companies list the certified products on the website or you can look for the certification seals on the products while shopping. Some of the companies are releasing apps to make this easier for consumers.
Informed Choice:
https://choice.wetestyoutrust.com/sites/default/files/generated-pdf/file.pdf
NSF:
https://www.nsf.org/certified-products-systems
https://www.nsfsport.com/certified-products/
Bottom line:
Supplements might be beneficial and your doctor may even recommend one for a specific reason; but you want to do your research before purchasing. Use the websites above or download one of their apps to make sure YOU are staying safe!
Summary:
Check with your doctor
Check with pharmacist to ensure no medication interactions
Find 3rd Party Certified Supplements
Additional Resources:
Dietary Supplements Market Size & Trends Report, 2021-2028 (grandviewresearch.com)
https://www.consumerreports.org/supplements/how-to-choose-supplements-wisely/
https://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/ny-ag-takes-aim-popular-herbal-supplements-n299161