Taking supplements can be an effective way to boost your nutrient intake, since it’s challenging to get optimal levels of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that are essential to maintain good health from food only. 

If you are not eating plenty of fresh fruits and veggies, whole grains, and healthy oils, you might be better off with some extra help. Suboptimal intake of some Live Good vitamins is a risk factor for chronic disease, according to the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA). 

That’s how critical it is to meet your nutritional needs.

Given the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, it’s even more important to take good care of your health and boost your immune system.

There are a few key nutritional supplements that most people can benefit from, like vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids. But aside from that, what’s the best way to choose the right organic supplement for you?

Here are four key points to take into consideration.

1. Buy Supplements Only FromTrusted Companies

Bear in mind that not all supplements are created equal. 

Organic, high-quality supplements may cost you a little more, but you will get the best value for your money.  As troublesome as it may seem, some of the supplements on the market can be contaminated with hazardous substances if not processed properly. 

For instance, if not distilled well, fish oil can contain high levels of mercury.

The best thing you can do is opt for companies that specialize in producing organic supplements, and those considered to be renowned in this field. 

Companies that invest in research and development, and have important certifications are committed to producing superb supplements. 

A reputable health food store can offer you trusted health brands. This way, you can be sure they are implementing a high-quality manufacturing process that guarantees an effective and powerful product. 

1. Consider Your Specific Needs

Stress, a hectic lifestyle, and exercise increase the amount of antioxidants your body needs. Your age is another factor to take into consideration when thinking about supplementation. 

As you age, you may start to lose more calcium than you absorb. Therefore, it is recommended that women over 50 and men over 70 get around 20% more than other adults.

Medications and specific medical conditions are also important factors. Mixing dietary supplements and medications can have detrimental effects on your health. 

If you are on a restrictive diet, like veganism, you may need to add Vitamin B12, as it is hard to get enough of it just from food.

Having food allergies may limit your diet, and as a result, you may lack nutrients.  

It is important to note that a folic acid supplement is essential for pregnant women and those trying to conceive. It helps prevent some congenital birth defects of the baby’s brain and spine.

1. Read Supplement Labels

It’s important to check out and learn more about the ingredients in your supplements. 

Research the ingredients you don’t recognize to make sure they don’t list unnecessary additives, sweeteners, and fillers. Low-quality supplements may be packed with this kind of stuff, and some of them prevent your body from absorbing the nutrients you need.

Reading the ingredient list will also help you determine whether the supplement contains the active form of the nutrient you require. 

For instance, if magnesium is listed as magnesium oxide, you can check and see that it’s an inferior and poorly absorbed ingredient.

The “free-from” (gluten, artificial colors, etc.) information can indicate the quality of a supplement. The companies that use superior ingredients are proud to inform you about it on the label.

Checking the label will also let you know if your desired product has received a certification from third-party testing organizations like NSF, which is an indicator of quality. 

1. Check the Dosage and Bioavailability

The dosage of the active ingredient is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing an organic supplement. The right dosage is vital since over-supplementing can be potentially hazardous. But if there isn’t enough of the active ingredient, you are wasting your money. 

And the dosage is just part of the picture.

If your body can’t absorb the product, then the amount makes no difference. 

So, when choosing any supplement, check if it’s clinically tested for absorption efficiency. If your body can’t absorb it, there is no point in taking it. 

For instance, there are a couple of different sources of calcium, like calcium gluconate and calcium lactate. Generally speaking, calcium carbonate is considered to be the most bioavailable source. 

The bioavailability stands for the amount of a nutrient your body can absorb. It is also known as the “active form.”

One Final Note 

Remember that no supplement can replace following a healthy, well-balanced diet. If you have any underlying medical conditions or take medications, talk to your doctor before you choose a supplement.