Home
>
Nutritional Supplements
>
Shopping for Supplements -- Living Healthy and Saving Money

Shopping for Supplements -- Living Healthy and Saving Money

When it comes to personalized weight loss programs and their role in weight loss success, diet gurus and so-called experts have had a lot to say when it comes to nutritional supplements. Usually what they are writing and saying and urging you to do is BUY! BUY! BUY!

And what you should be buying is their particular brand of vitamins, minerals, healthy weight loss shakes, etc. What most of them are doing is using the same company to produce and package the same product, same ingredients, under a different name.

They can then call theirs the latest and greatest supplement--something they've discovered or the latest secret revealed. Really?

If it weren't so serious, it would be laughable. But anything that effects your health is serious!

Here are some simple "healthful" tips on buying nutritional supplements. I'm not recommending any particular supplements. Whether you need more Vitamin D, E, Calcium or Iron is a determination you and your doctor can make together.

Instead, these health tips are meant to arm you with knowledge to guide you when you are looking to add vitamin and mineral supplements to your diet.

Common Sense

As with a lot of things, common sense should help us in making decisions. Whenever you read or listen to any advice about nutritional supplements, what you are hearing should have the ring of truth. In other words, if it doesn't sound right, don't pull out your wallet just yet!

Weight loss professionals and nutritionists agree with what you already know is just plain common sense: the best way to stock up on vitamins and minerals is by eating right.

Popping a pill is no substitute for a balanced diet. You can never expect the same results nutritionally speaking when you take a supplement as opposed to eating the right balance of carbohydrates, protein, and some fat. That's why they are called supplements. They are meant to help make up deficiencies which could lead to serious health conditions.

But if you decide to take a vitamin and mineral supplement, here are some things to keep in mind.

1) Don't waste your money on natural vitamins.

Your body can't tell the difference between synthetic (man-made) vitamins and so-called natural ones. However, the synthetic ones are usually cheaper. The exception to this rule is vitamin E. Your body absorbs the natural form better than the synthetic version, although vitamin manufacturers add enough synthetic vitamin E to make up for the difference--and it's still cheaper!

2) Generic brands are just as good as the more expensive ones.

3) Read the label to make sure the expiration date hasn't passed.

Just like foods, supplements should not be used after their expiration date. Check before you buy, don't assume your local (or online) pharmacy checks expiration dates.

4) Don't assume that more is better.

In fact, vitamins A and D, iron, zinc, and selenium can be toxic in high doses, while others can have unpleasant or serious side effects. Your safest bet is to look for supplements that provide no more than the recommended daily dose of each nutrient.

5) Keep supplements away from children.

Those pills may look and sometimes taste like candy to a child, but they can be deadly. Iron supplements cause more poisoning deaths in children than any other substance.

6) Tell your doctor about all the supplements you're taking.

Some vitamins and minerals can interfere with certain medications. Many bad side effects have occurred because of a lack of communication between doctor and patient. I blame BOTH sides in these cases.

You are the only one responsible for your health. Interact with your health care provider and antispate her questions.

The Verdict?

Nutritional supplements can be a very helpful part of your overall health and fitness program. There are many good and well priced brands.

But as with any other pill you might be considering adding to your body's system, use common sense, consult with your doctor, and don't forget that if you want to live healthy and look fantastic while doing it, you have to eat a balanced diet. There's no substitute for that. . . . I guarantee it!

Mark Fuqua
http://www.weight-loss-professional.com
With 3 earned degrees and more than 16 years of experience as spiritual leader, pastor, director of marketing and investment banker, Mark Fuqua brings to the discussion table a breadth and depth of unique experience coupled with academic acumen. He is Consultant and Chief Editor of Diet Basics, a website dedicated to healthy weight loss success.

shuttle from Midway Glen Ellyn ..

In The News:

A new camera called NUCA uses artificial intelligence to create deepfake photos of subjects by stripping away clothing in close to real time.

The Kimberley Kube trail-ready camper has a compact but spacious design and combines luxury, functionality and ruggedness for a weekend getaway.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Emails instructing you to reset your password for an account may be legitimate, or they may be scams. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains.

Northrop Grumman's Manta Ray uncrewed underwater vehicle aims to revolutionize undersea missions — it glides through the ocean without human assistance.

Learn how to work Google's calendar application to streamline and organize your daily tasks from technology expert Kim Komando.

If you do not want Facebook to have automatic access to your private photos, follow our tips to protect yourself. Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson shows you how.

Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson goes into detail about Apple’s recent iOS update that allows iPhone users to instantly translate spoken language simply by using the Action Button.

Safeguarding your digital life with a reliable physical backup isn't just a precaution, it's a necessity. Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson provides the essential backup checklist.

Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson reveals how a Redditor exposed false recycling claims at their apartment, highlighting a report that only 21% of U.S. recyclables are processed.

Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson offers a travel toolkit featuring five technology tools to help you with booking flights and hotels for your summer vacation.

The bubble behind the clock on your iPhone can appear in different colors. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains what each of those colors mean.

Scammers are using the power of artificial intelligence to mimic voices of people and are using the fake voices to commit crimes, like kidnappings.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Tech guru Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains the science behind the Invisibility Shield, a 6-foot shield that makes people become invisible.

The International Olympic Committee on Friday announced plans to use AI in various Olympic aspects, including athlete identification, training and judging.

Tech guru Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains an easy trick to avoid squinting while working or surfing the web by zooming in on your personal computer.

Streaming giant Roku has recently been targeted by a pair of cyberattacks, and the company confirmed over a half million Roku accounts were compromised.

The Land Aircraft Carrier combines an all-terrain, six-wheeled vehicle with a two-seat aircraft, which features electric vertical takeoff and landing.

The European Union has sent TikTok a "request for information" on the video sharing platform's newest app, TikTok Lite, under the Digital Services Act, with the aim to clean up social media.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

The FBI is warning the public about a recent phishing scam via text that claims its targets owe money in Pennsylvania for unpaid road toll charges.

Your Apple Music settings may be revealing to your contacts what you're listening to. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains the process to change those settings.

Learn how to secure social media accounts, implement legacy contacts, and create a digital estate plan to protect your online assets from 'ghost hackers' after your death.

A ported phone number scam is leading to more people having their identities stolen by sophisticated scammers. Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson tells you what you need to know.

Shopping for Supplements -- Living Healthy and Saving Money

Nutritional Supplements