We’ve talked about nutrition, why food isn’t enough, and what supplementation can do for us, but there are a lot of choices in the world of vitamins. From specialized alphabet (A, B, C, D, E) vitamins to holistic multi-vitamins, they can come in a variety of shapes, sizes, doses, and qualities. So, how can you know which one(s) you should take?
Shark Tank judge Mark Cuban expressed concern about “health gimmicks,” especially those of the vitamin kind. In an interview, Cuban stated, “Everyone wants to feel better, to be healthy, to be fit, to look good, and the promise of supplements plays right into that dream. It really bothers me when we have a product that could take advantage of the [people] who trust us.”
To help you with choosing a high-quality supplement, here are a few things to look for when checking into a vitamin brand.
Science
Having scientific support behind the ingredients and effectiveness of a product is huge. In the same interview, Cuban said, “I’m all for people getting healthier, but more often than not, there are no studies that connect directly to the product being offered. And when there are studies, they are typically for something that doesn’t replicate how customers would consume the product.” Though most of us don’t know consumer research from a clinical trial, a few terms to keep in mind when reviewing science:
• Placebo-controlled: the study includes at least 2 groups of participants: a group that will get the actual product under observation and a placebo, which is something resembling the studied product but intended not have any effect on the participants.
• Double-blind: This simply means that neither the researcher nor the participants knew if they were getting the real product or a placebo.
• Objective vs. subjective: These are terms used to describe the findings. Objective means that there is hard evidence like numbers to correlate with the results. Subjective means that it’s more of a personal experience result – a feeling vs. actual hard numbers.
• Results vs. Conclusion: The results will show the numerical/testing values gathered through the research. The conclusion is based on the interpretation of the researchers. Unfortunately, bias can affect the way the researchers develop the conclusion, so it’s important to look into the researchers’ relations with the product/company involved.
Quality
Quality is something many claim to have, but few truly deliver. From ingredients to packaging to overall product, quality is something that should be delivered in every aspect of the vitamin. Here are a couple of things to keep an eye out:
• FDA Consumer Goods Manufacturing Processes (cGMP): this certification details that the plants in which the vitamins/supplements are created is following the best practices for clean, efficient, pure manufacturing.
• NSF International certifications: this third-party testing checks that what is on the label is what is in the product. It also looks for any impurities or irregularities.
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• Money-back guarantees: if a company really stands behind their products, they’ll offer your money back regardless of whether you finished the whole bottle or only made it halfway through.
• Ingredients/sources: Look for natural ingredients, as they tend to be more a higher quality and easier for our bodies to absorb, whereas synthetic ingredients tend to be a lower quality and may not be as easily absorbed.
Doctor Recommendation
This may sound obvious but having a doctor’s recommendation means a lot. They understand the science aspect better than most, and we expect them to do their due diligence when selecting a product. Picking a product that’s doctor-recommended helps take some of the guess work out of the selection process.
Once you know the type of vitamins you need, the hardest part is choosing which option is the best for you. Looking for these telltale signs of better products can help make that selection easier. To learn more, visit EyePromise at booth #607 or go online to eyepromise.com.
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