Purchase Guide – What you should know prior to buying a Nutritional Supplement
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Purchase Guide
The more products available in any market, the more difficult the selection, and even more difficult the purchase of the right product.
The meaning of the “right product” could mean many things.
Certainly, a good should be effective as well. After all, why a buyer spends time and money on this?
Let us see this point. An effective product could be sufficient to make the potential buyer to buy it, especially when this product goes into the user’s organism?
Definitely not.
An example could give us the picture of this situation.
Take as the example, one of the anabolic steroids. None questions the action and the capability of the supplement.
However, the dangerous and addictive chemical composition causes many health problems, so all these products were banned and not available with no medical prescription.
The question for the criteria of a proper nutritional supplement are still under examination and the most important question of what a potential buyer should know and what should watch prior to purchase remains the most important parameter in this process.
The problems mentioned above and the confusion created by the large number of products available made us to introduce a sort of a guide for any buy, to keep you informed and alert the moment you decide to proceed to any purchase.
General Information on Nutritional Supplements
Nutritional supplements may be divided into 2 general categories, a basic classification for understanding we would divide nutritional supplements into 2 very general categories … but it is very basic to understand the nature of each product on display.
In the first category, the Natural Nutritional Supplements (containing only raw materials of natural origin), while in the second the Chemical Nutritional Supplements (containing chemicals), including some safe products and others extremely dangerous for the body.
Here we have to mention many nutritional supplements (either natural or chemical), illegally marketed on the black market (not meeting any of the legal requirements).
We do understand that the selection of any supplement is really a tough task, especially if you don’t know the basics.
Nevertheless, millions of adults, not knowing the basic information, buy dietary supplements (either for body strengthening, slimming, fat burning or for erection problems and hundreds of other reasons) with no clear criteria on the right selection.
As a result, many of these persons have malfunctions in their organism and annoying side effects, or even their health and lives at serious risk (with low quality and dangerous products).
According to the legislation, nutritional supplements should be subject to very strict quality controls before entering the market. Necessary tests include controls on both their composition and the conditions of manufacturing.
In this way, authorities are trying to safeguard the health of public and fight the illegal trafficking of dangerous supplements.
So it is important to know first that the product selected is legal, meeting all the rules of a safe product.
Can a “legal” product be dangerous as well?
In general, the legislative framework is created to make every consumer feel safe. This practically means that the products under marketing authorization granted have passed the required tests and all the necessary clinical trials, so the user does not play the role of an experimental animal.
Surely, the more reliable a company, the more confidence is inspired to consumer.
It makes sense that a product bought by thousands of people continuing to have high sales may be considered much safer than another product bought by only a few hundred people and yet there are no clear results for its action and effects on the body.
The use of a safe, completely legal and high quality dietary supplement can potentially cause harm in the organism if not used properly. The packaging of each product has clear rules and instructions for use to ensure the health of the user.
The role of the doctor
No matter how safe is a nutritional supplement, with natural composition and all required certifications, can never be consumed unreasonably.
By “unreasonable” it is not only just an overdose (which, unfortunately, many people continue to apply on the grounds of faster results), but the misuse of a product (completely safe) may be clearly related to user’s own health and personal medical history.
At this point consulting a treating physician aware of user’s personal medical history and inherited diseases is necessary.
Is it possible to know how a substance interacts with the medication administered to potential user.
Do you know how a health problem may be seriously aggravated by some of the substances contained in an otherwise perfectly safe dietary supplement?
The answer is no. That’s why you should never underestimate the expert opinion.
Quality control
Do not trust dietary supplements not stating the composition of active ingredients clearly. Indications like “contains secret ingredient formula” are superstitions and inaccuracies could endanger health or even the user’s life.
Some providers offer stamped certification indicating that the products have passed the inspection and they are approved. According to this stamp the product is properly prepared, contains the ingredients as per label indications containing no dangerous infectious agents that could compromise the smooth functioning of the body.
Be always well informed
A product in the market may be banned at any time (for any reason). Make sure you stay up-to-date and learn about the health areas that concern you.
Natural Supplements & “Herbal Medicine”
It is a fact – as the history of alternative medicine shows over the centuries – herbs and natural products in general form powerful medicines.
However to have them in a good working condition you need to know when and how to use them correctly.
Therefore, it’s not enough to go out on the mountains and pick up a bunch of herbs. You have to be equipped with the right knowledge.
In a similar way it is not sufficient for a natural dietary supplement to contain natural products with therapeutic properties to make it “medical”, but its ingredients should be specially selected for their beneficial properties … and also in the proper ratio.
It is a supplement – Not a substitute
All nutritional supplements are aiming at assisting the body to achieve a specific goal.
However, a basic requirement for their proper use is that they are precisely given only as an auxiliary agent, not aiming at substituting essential factors such as:
- proper nutrition
- healthy lifestyle
- systematic physical activity
- right & quality sleep
It is essential that the user adheres to instructions for use as specified by the manufacturer and that he / she respects the rules and conditions of product’s use.
Exceeding the recommended dosage prescribed by the company may be detrimental to a person’s health and can have many unpleasant and possible fatal consequences.
Proper Maintenance of All Supplements
The proper storage of all nutritional supplements (natural or chemical) is important.
A safe place away from children or pets (accidentally) not allowing the use of them even accidentally causing harm to their health is compulsory for anyone engaged in a similar process.
The storage place mentioned above should be cool and shady as happens with all medicines kept at home.
Do not place them next or close to sources of heat (radiator, air conditioner, fireplace) and not in a humid environment (such as a bathroom frequently made by people).
Adverse conditions may affect the effectiveness of products or even alter their formulation (making them dangerous to use).
Purchase of Nutritional Supplements – How & Where
A number of spots are established as the selling points these supplements are available, via internet, regular stores or even via unknown traders.
Here we do not overlook the presence of various persons distributing a number of products in the gym so promoting formulations, offering service to companies or individual traders.
The right way to buy a safe and effective dietary supplement
Whether you choose online stores or the internet in general make sure you are shopping from reliable sources and serious merchants. This practically means that you should not trust street vendors or unknown retailers placing products of dubious origin without the necessary information on their label.
Furthermore, the online sites selected for shopping online play an important role.
Never trust an online site selling a product, simply because a specific supplement is on offer at a much lower price (maybe something it’s wrong).
Make purchases from official websites and not from dubious third-party sellers.
In case you are interested in a product, make your purchase from its official website. This will ensure that you get the original product and not some cheap imitation that can get you in trouble.
When buying a supplement never forget to:
- Check the expiry date of the product
- Read the operating instructions carefully
- Obey the recommended dosage
- Respect the storage tips
- Take the supplement at the right time of the day
- Seek medical advice prior to taking other medicines
- Seek medical consent in case of suffering from an illness
- Do not take supplements without medical advice if you are a minor
- Do not take supplements without medical advice if you are a pregnant or nursing mother
- Check the composition of the supplement carefully
- Check if any of the ingredients can cause an allergic episode
- In case of any side effects or discomfort developed stop its use immediately and seek medical advice at once
- Have always the health & well functioning of your body on the first place
- Look at the package for certifications and controls of the product
- Check the conditions applying for its administration (any arbitrary use might affect its effectiveness)
- Check the type and the way of clinical studies performed on the product
- Verify the age or the general group of people suitable for using this product
- Do not take loose pills for trying a specific product from people not trusted
- Always stay alert and monitor any changes in organism or changes in functioning of organism – in case of an alarming situation do not hesitate to contact a doctor immediately
References – Bibliography
https://ods.od.nih.gov/HealthInformation/DS_WhatYouNeedToKnow.aspx
