The content of this methodology is for informational purposes only.
The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
We built Verywell Health to give you expert answers to your health questions.
Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak
However, supplements can be crucial in certain circumstances.
Other popular dietary supplements include omega-3s, probiotics, and protein powders.
Dietary supplements come in liquids, powders, pills, lozenges, tablets, gummies, and capsules.
Active ingredients are responsible for the effects the supplement has on the body.
This Supplement Facts label is your guide to knowing what isand isntin your supplement.
You may notice a section on the label called Other ingredients.
This commonly includes fillers and excipientsingredients often included to help optimize the manufacturing process or bind a supplement together.
Not all fillers and excipients are harmful, but they arent always necessary in a product.
Are Dietary Supplements Beneficial?
Supplements May:
Supplements Are NOT:
Supplements can be useful in specific instances.
Similarly, vegans or vegetarians who choose not to eat meat may also benefit from supplemental vitamin B12.
A supplement manufacturer must only notify the FDA if a product contains an entirely new ingredient.
Independent testing does not test if a supplement does what it claims to do.
Even if it is independently tested, that doesnt necessarily mean it is safe and effective for all.
Always consult a healthcare provider to check whether a supplement is appropriate for your needs and health concerns.
Interactions
Supplements may interact with medications or result in dangerous side effects.
Supplements should not be used as a substitute for prescription medications recommended by your healthcare provider.
Even if the manufacturers website makes big promises, this does not mean these claims are supported by research.
Supplements are not intended to treat, prevent, or cure diseases.
For this reason, most supplements are formulated and dosed for specific ages.
Always speak with your healthcare provider to ensure that you opt for appropriate supplement and dose for your needs.
Many supplements have not been tested for safety in pregnant people, children, and nursing parents.
Note that natural doesnt always mean safe.
People may assume that herbal supplements are entirely harmless because they are made from plants.
What Types of Supplements Does Verywell Health Suggest?
This list will evolve as more research becomes available and new products come to market.
Our team will continuously evaluate supplements' safety, validity, and efficacy and modify our suggestions accordingly.
Its important to note that potentially dangerous and poor-quality supplements claim to be supported by research.
Then, researchers look at the differences between the two groups after a certain amount of time.
These studies provide strong evidence when they include large groups of people in their trials.
We aim to do the research for you so you might easily choose what works best for you.
We aim to provide you with simple, evidence-based information to help you make an educated buying decision.
We know how confusing it can be to navigate the supplement world.
If there is research that makes us skeptical about safety, we will not recommend that product.
Reliable independent verification organizations includeNSF,USP, andConsumerLab.
However, these certifications are the only way to ensure accurate product testing.
kindly note that these independent organizations do not test for product efficacy.
Just because a product is independently verified does not mean it is effective.
Independent verification helps ensure that a product contains what it says and is not contaminated with other ingredients.
The FDA does regulate what types of claims supplement labels can make.
Supplements cannot claim to serve as a treatment, prevention, or cure for any disease.
We explain each standard below.
Like with food, the shorter and simpler the supplements ingredient list, the better.
Non-GMO
When possible, we select products that usenon-GMO ingredients.
However, both artificial low-calorie sweeteners and natural low-calorie sweeteners may have the opposite effect than intended.
We work hard to offer supplement options in a variety of forms to meet your preferences.
Price: Price does not always reflect quality.
A more expensive supplement doesnt guarantee a better product.
However, being skeptical of very inexpensive supplements may also be prudent.
Availability: We select over-the-counter nutritional supplements widely available in the United States.
We recommend products made in GMP facilities.
Summary
The dietary supplement industry can be overwhelming to navigate.
We help you determine if you might benefit from specific supplements and which products may be the best fit.
