Medication&ClarityWellness
Step by Step Guide to Choosing Dietary Supplements
Tips on how to properly choose supplements and get the best benefit for your health

Step #1: Determine your reason for needing a dietary supplement
* If it’s not broke then do not fix it
No need of taking a multivitamin daily if your levels are normal, focus on obtaining your nutrients through the foods that you eat (real food is the best medicine)
* Are you not getting enough nutrients from the foods you eat?
*Do you have lab results showing your blood levels are low in Vitamin D, iron, vitamin c or etc.?
*What part of your health are you trying to improve (joint health, heart health, overall mood etc.)?
Step #2: Educate yourself to find out which supplement will help you with the health outcome you are trying to reach
* Your pharmacist is a great resource
*When browsing the internet try to find evidence-based suggestions
Step #3: Research the manufacturer
*Look for products that contain the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) logo or National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) mark
These logos indicate that these products meet additional testing standards so you can trust that these products contain what they say they do and are not contaminated
*Click the links below to view the USP dietary supplement standards
*Be mindful that some products may just contain the letters USP and that is not the same as having the USP logo
*Click the link below to view a list of USP verified supplements
*Click the link below to view the NSF dietary supplement standards
*Look at independent consumer testing companies
ConsumerLab.com and Labdoor are two third party companies that perform their own analyses of different dietary supplements
*ConsumerLab.com charges a monthly fee for access to their information
*Labdoor’s information is free with an email sign-up
*Browse the company’s website to view their standards
Step #4: Select the supplement of your choice
*Watch out for side effects, drug interactions, and allergic reactions
*Add the supplement to your medication list
*Work with a professional if needed
*Follow label instructions
Step #5: Enjoy the process of getting to know your body during your wellness journey
*There is no one-size fits all approach to maintain your health
*What works for someone else may not work for you
*You got this!
“In youth we learn; in age we understand.” -Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach
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