Choosing High Quality Dietary Supplements

Vitamins, minerals and dietary supplements aren't all created equally. Dietary supplements are regulated, but not as closely as medication, and there are no standards that require that ingredients listed on the label match what is actually inside the capsules or tablets. It's also important to remember that label claims made for the effects of dietary supplements are not approved by the FDA.

If you're pregnant, nursing a baby, or have a chronic medical condition, be sure to consult a nutritionist, dietitian or health care provider before purchasing or taking any dietary supplements.

If you're simply searching for some extra vitamin supplements to ensure your nutrient intake is adequate, then start with a simple program like this:

• Multi-vitamin
• Calcium and vitamin D
• B-complex
• Omega-3 fatty acids

Unless you have consulted with a health care provider, please follow the dosage instructions on the labels. When you're ready to shop for supplements, please take the following points into consideration:

• Join ConsumerLab.com to find out which brands of supplements they've tested.
• Read the labels. Ingredients for the supplements should be from organic sources whenever possible.
• Know which dietary supplements should be taken on an empty stomach.
• Dietary supplements should be tested for toxic substances and any kind of contamination such as lead or mercury.
• Look for hypoallergenic products if you have sensitivity problems. Avoid wheat, yeast and corn.
• Look for an expiration date and make sure the product is fresh. If there is no expiration date on the label, buy something else.

Vitamin and Mineral Facts

• 10 Facts About Vitamin B-12
• 10 Facts About Calcium
• 10 Facts About Magnesium
• 10 Facts About Vitamin C

^Source:

^{United States Food and Drug Administration Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. January 2002.}