10 Tips On How to Choose High Quality Vitamins and Supplements

Ever feel overwhelmed by the countless vitamins and supplements available on the market? I sure have, and that’s why this simple question was born in my mind…

How do I choose high-quality supplements?

What criteria should I keep in mind? What should I look for, and what should I avoid?

In this post, I’ll explain the “confusing” world of vitamins and supplements and I’ll give you 10 tips on how to spo the good ones from the bad ones.

How to Choose High Quality Vitamins and Supplements

Here’s a quick table for those of you in a hurry..

1. Prefer herbal supplements with Standardized Extracts

Standardized extracts are important because they offer quality control. Herbs can change in their potency due to factors like where they were grown or when they were harvested.

Standardized extracts solve this problem. They ensure that regardless of these variations, the final product will always deliver the same health benefits.

Additionally, standardized extracts are often used in clinical studies. This is because their defined composition allows for accurate comparisons and reliable results.

So, when you pick a supplement with standardized extracts, you’re choosing a product that’s likely to deliver consistent health benefits.

2. Prefer supplements that are 3rd party lab tested

Given the supplement industry’s relatively lax regulation, third-party testing is a crucial factor when choosing quality herbal supplements. Here’s why:

• The process independently verifies the supplement’s quality, providing an unbiased check. These labs confirm if the ingredient amounts stated on the label are accurate. This ensures you’re getting what you pay for.

• Harmful contaminants like heavy metals and microbes are also checked during this testing. This protects you from potential health risks associated with these contaminants.

• Third-party lab testing ensures that the product doesn’t contain undisclosed ingredients or fillers. These can reduce the supplement’s effectiveness and potentially compromise its safety.

• Choosing third-party lab tested supplements means you’re choosing transparency and manufacturer accountability. This shows the manufacturer’s commitment to quality and that they’ve no hidden aspects about their product’s composition or manufacturing process.

3. Prefer supplements with No fillers

Choosing supplements without fillers gives you a higher concentration of the essential nutrients your body needs.

Fillers are often added to increase volume or aid in manufacturing, but they can reduce the strength of the important ingredients you’re after.

By opting for filler-free supplements, you’re making sure every bit of what you’re consuming directly benefits your health.

According to Daily Nutra – an ethical herbal supplements company – some common fillers include:

Keep in mind that fillers like microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, and maltodextrin aren’t necessarily harmful, but they do take up space that could be filled with more beneficial nutrients.

This not only weakens the supplement’s effectiveness, but can also be a risk for people with certain allergies or intolerances. For instance, lactose is a filler that can cause digestive problems in lactose-intolerant individuals.

Furthermore, supplements without fillers are absorbed better and have a higher bioavailability. Your body can absorb and use the nutrients more easily without any unnecessary additives getting in the way.

4. Avoid supplements with proprietary formulas

It’s essential to steer clear of supplements that use proprietary blends. Why? Because these blends don’t tell you the exact amounts of each ingredient.

This lack of detail can make it hard to figure out if the supplement is safe and effective. It’s also difficult to check if the main ingredients are there in the right amounts or just in tiny amounts that won’t do you any good.

For example, a company might say that my proprietary immune system formula contains Vitamin C, Vitamin D and Zinc. All together 300 mg. When in reality the supplement might contain 10 mg Vitamin C, 10 mg Vitamin D and 280 mg Zinc – because (again, this is an example), Zinc might be cheaper to source. But, because they do have Vitamin C and Vitamin D – law can’t touch them.

Without knowing the exact dosages, it’s hard to judge the quality of a supplement. .

5. Always check Bioavailability

The importance of bioavailability in your choice of supplements can’t be overstated. It’s the key to figuring out how much of the supplement’s active ingredient your body can really make use of.

Basically, bioavailability is the percentage of a supplement that’s effectively absorbed and put to work by your body.

If a supplement has low bioavailability, you may not be receiving the full nutrient benefits you believe you are, and even top-quality supplements can prove ineffective.

When choosing supplements, keep an eye out for those that use special technologies or additives to enhance bioavailability.

For example, if..

• Curcumin is combined with Bioperine,
• Vitamin C is in liposomal form,
• Iron or Magnesium is in sucrosomial form,
• CoQ10 is paired with Vitamin E,

..these are signs of a product that’s been formulated for better absorption.

By choosing supplements that use advanced bioavailability technologies, you have a better shot at reaping the benefits you’re paying for and avoid throwing money away on products that don’t deliver.

6. Prefer Supplements with nutrients from natural sources rather than synthetic

Opt for supplements containing nutrients from natural sources rather than synthetic ones. The benefits of this choice are many.

For one studies have shown that, natural sources boost nutrient bioavailability. This means your body can absorb and use these nutrients more efficiently.

Unlike synthetic supplements, natural ones come packed with a range of other beneficial compounds. These include co-factors and enzymes that enhance nutrient absorption and use.

Furthermore, natural supplements undergo less processing. This reduces the risk of contamination from solvents and heavy metals. It also makes the manufacturing process more sustainable.

To ensure you’re choosing natural supplements, pay attention to the label.

By law, it must state the nutrient source, including the plant’s common and scientific names. It should also specify which part of the plant was used.

7. Check where the supplements is actually made

Investigate the origin of your supplements – this can tell you a lot about their quality and safety. It’s important to know where they’re made because different countries have different standards.

Avoid unclear statements like ‘Made in EU’ or ‘Manufactured for…’. They don’t tell you much about where the ingredients are from or where the quality checks happen. These can be signs of a less rigorous quality checks.

A great example of this is a recent post I’ve read on Reddit by a guy who purchased a collagen supplement from Amazon.

After reading the vague label that said “made in EU” and “manufactured for [name of company]” he decided to investigate the shady company behind it. He uncovered a web of dubious business entities operating from empty apartments and gas stations.

8. Check the dosage

You should always check the supplement’s dosage carefully. Here’s why it matters:

The Recommended Dietary Intakes (RDIs) are just the minimum to avoid deficiency. They’re not the optimal dosage for specific health goals or preventive benefits.

For example, the RDI of Vitamin C is currently 60 mg. A supplement can write that it covers 100% of your RDI. Most people will immediately thing “great” and purchase.

But, 60 mg is NOT the optimal dosage to actually have Vitamin C do it’s magic in you..

For reference, this research article says that the current recommended daily allowance for vitamin C should be increased to 200 mg from fruits and vegetables, with safe doses below 1000 mg.

This is not something new. This article published in the The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition back in 1999 supported that a new recommended dietary allowance for vitamin C should be 120 mg/d for optimal reduction of chronic disease risk in nonsmoking men and women.

9. Prefer companies that communicate their ethics and values

I came to the conclusion that choosing supplement companies that openly share their ethics and values is a smart thing to do.

Companies that do this are committed to being transparent and accountable. They make their ethical standards known, which is like a promise to you that they’ll maintain high quality and safety in their products.

Moreover, these companies want to protect their reputation. So, they stick to their values and avoid shortcuts that could risk the quality of their products.

Their openness invites external checks – many times from competition in an effort to discredit them. This “forces” them to keep their standards up.

10. Prefer Reputable Brands

Choosing quality supplements involves picking products from reputable brands. Look for companies with a strong business presence, like having a physical office and strong customer service (remember the example of that Redditor I mentioned earlier?).

This isn’t just about convenience—it’s about reliability. These companies invest heavily in their manufacturing practices to meet strict quality standards. They also follow laws and industry standards closely.

Also, check reviews, check their websites, check their ethics, values, products etc.

Recommended Supplement Brands

If you are wondering which companies abide by the 10 tips I’ve mentioned above, here’s a list of some of my favorite supplement companies.

• Daily Nutra – Daily Nutra is one of my favorite herbal supplement companies.They use only natural ingredients in their products, and standardize extracts, with no fillers or anything. They are open about where they get their ingredients and how they make their products.

• Bioptimizers – BiOptimizers is another all-time one favorite supplement companies because they make high-quality products that really work. Their supplements, like MassZymes and Magnesium Breakthrough, are among the best the industry has to offer. Their supplements are innovative and based on scientific evidence.

• Xtend-Life – Xtend-Life is a New Zealand-based company offering high-quality, natural supplements, skincare products, and superfoods designed to combat aging effects. With over 20 years of experience, rigorous testing, and a 365-day money-back guarantee, they are renowned for their exceptional quality, purity, and customer service.

• Purality Health – Purality Health offers premium quality liquid supplements with Advanced Micelle Liposomal delivery, ensuring optimal absorption and bioavailability. Their products are made in the USA in a cGMP compliant facility, using pure ingredients without fillers or additives. Purality Health’s supplements are GMO-free, gluten, wheat, and dairy-free, providing the highest quality available

• Nootropics Depot – Nootropics Depot is a reputable Nootropics supplement company highly regarded for its scientifically-backed, third-party tested products made with natural ingredients. With detailed product descriptions and heavy focus on quality, Nootropics Depot is highly recommended for high-quality nootropic supplements.

• Perpetua.Life – Perpetua.Life offers Nicotinamide DUO™, a unique NAD+ precursor blend proven to elevate NAD+ levels higher than Riboside alone, vital for energy metabolism, DNA repair, and gene expression. Additionally, the company provides health beneficial supplements like Fisetin, Quercetin, Resveratrol, and EGCG, all third-party lab tested for purity, reflecting their commitment to transparency and customer service.

Choosing a trustworthy brand means you’re more likely to reap the benefits you’re after without the concern of harmful additives or ineffective doses. These brands have built their reputation on consumer trust and scientific verification, making them a sound choice for anyone wanting to enhance their diet with supplements.

Conclusion

When you’re selecting vitamins and supplements, it’s important to go for options with standardized extracts and those that have passed third-party lab tests. Avoid products with fillers or proprietary blends, and always consider bioavailability and the right dosage for your needs.

Opt for companies that are transparent about their ethics and source from reputable brands. Brands like Daily Nutra, Bioptimizers, and Xtend-Life not only offer quality but also prioritize eco-friendly practices, ensuring you make a safe and informed choice.

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