Buying health supplements is a fantastic way to ensure you get all the daily nutrients your body needs. A shocking nine out of ten Americans do not consume all the nutrients they need from food for a variety of reasons.
While it is a positive and healthy action, there are several pitfalls to avoid when it comes to your health supplement shopping.
Here are some of the most common mistakes and what you can do to avoid them.
1. Not Choosing Supplements Specific to Your Needs
There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to supplements for health and nutrition.
You cannot grab any bottle from the shelf and think, “this will do!” because it likely won’t. There are so many options for supplements depending on individual needs.
Here are some of the personal circumstances that have different nutritional needs:
- Age (e.g. children and over 65s)
- Pregnancy
- Athlete or in training
- Specific illness or deficiency
By choosing the correct supplements, you will see more advantages and health benefits. If you are unsure which supplements you need, ask your doctor. Or, you could try a multivitamin supplement to cover all bases.
2. Failing to Vet a Store or Online Supplier
Not all health stores are made equal, and that is something to be aware of when health supplement shopping.
When buying supplements online, do not enter your private information into dodgy websites. Make sure any website has the padlock icon to the left of the URL so you know your credit card information is encrypted. And do not buy from any website that looks unprofessional.
Always check online supplement reviews both on the website and on third-party operators like Google. That way, you know the online store is legitimate.
3. Not Shopping Around or Comparing Prices
Once you have researched and found supplements you like, make sure you compare the price of that supplement on several websites.
Big-name health stores often markup the price of popular supplement brands because they rely on customer loyalty.
Type the exact supplement name into Google and see what comes up. Make sure products on other sites have the exact same name or it might be a clever copycat and not the real deal.
Always check Amazon and watch out for those dodgy websites, too.
4. Failing to Read the Label and Ingredient List
One of the biggest health supplement shopping mistakes is failing to read the bottle. Most websites list any details in the product descriptions, but you should also read the label when you receive the supplements to double-check.
You could be allergic to one of the ingredients, or the brand may include harmful substances in its supplements. Plus, many supplements are not safe for pregnant women or children because of the dosage of certain vitamins.
Avoid These Health Supplement Shopping Mistakes
Supplements are a great way to look after your health and ensure you consume all the nutrients you need. And now you know how to avoid the common mistakes of health supplement shopping, you can be sure to have a safe and easy experience too.
Browse our other health articles for more tips and advice!
