| Health food supplements are one of the | | | | food supplements. Composition of some health |
| hottest selling products in the market these | | | | food products may not match the label claims |
| days. Their total consumption values billions | | | | and the quality of raw materials and finished |
| of dollars in the U.S. alone. Recent surveys | | | | products is not guaranteed. Therefore, |
| show that more than half of the adults in the | | | | consumers should only buy from reputable |
| U.S. consume health food supplements in | | | | health food manufacturers, read the labels |
| different forms, such as tablets, capsules, | | | | carefully and read more related |
| powders, soft gels, gel caps and liquids.The | | | | literatures.Here are some general rules for |
| increased consumption of health food | | | | buying health food supplements:1) Supplements |
| supplements can be attributed to public | | | | made from whole foods, natural sources are |
| awareness of health issues and improved | | | | better than the synthetic ones. They are more |
| standard of living in our society. Many | | | | bioactive, can be absorbed readily, and less |
| studies have shown that there is a close | | | | likely to be contaminated by chemicals such |
| correlation between health and nutrition. | | | | as coal tars used in chemical synthesis.2) |
| Insufficient supply of nutrients can weaken | | | | Protein-bonded vitamins and minerals |
| our body defense mechanism, causing medical | | | | (vitamins and minerals in organic form, |
| problems from common ailments to more severe | | | | binding to amino acids) are more bioactive |
| illnesses in the long term.There are | | | | than the inorganic forms.3) Buy supplements |
| different types of health food supplements, | | | | using safe extraction methods, such as cold |
| including macronutrients (amino acids, | | | | pressed extraction or supercritical |
| proteins, essential fatty acids), | | | | extraction. This can avoid the harmful |
| micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), | | | | residue from chemical extraction.4) Herbal |
| enzymes (digestive enzymes and antioxidant | | | | concentrate and extract are usually more |
| enzymes), probiotics (beneficial bacteria in | | | | effective than the raw herbs.5) Organically |
| the gut), and herbal supplements. These | | | | grown or wild crafted herbs are less likely |
| supplements have unique functions in our | | | | to be contaminated by heavy metals, |
| body. They are either essential for life and | | | | pesticides and other chemicals.6) Read the |
| good health, modulate our immune system or | | | | labels, do not consume more than the |
| help with liver detoxification, digestion, | | | | recommended dose.7) Be careful when consuming |
| mental clarity, etc.Many people argue that | | | | certain herbal supplements, such as Ma Huang |
| there is no need to consume health food | | | | ephedra, Kava Kava, comfrey, etc. Some |
| supplements as long as you have a healthy | | | | studies have shown that these herbs may cause |
| lifestyle and eat a balanced diet. While this | | | | severe side effects to some people. Stop use |
| may be true, the fact is maintaining a | | | | if unusual signs appear after consumption.8) |
| healthy lifestyle and proper diet is | | | | Some health food supplements may interact |
| difficult to achieve by many people.Over the | | | | with drugs, either by decreasing or |
| past few decades, the green revolution has | | | | increasing their effects. Consult your doctor |
| changed the farming practices over the world. | | | | if you are currently taking medications.9) |
| We use more chemical fertilizers, more | | | | Pregnant and nursing women, people with |
| pesticides to grow the food produce in order | | | | specific medical conditions such consult the |
| to increase harvest and shorten the growth | | | | doctors when consuming health food |
| period. As a result, soil nutrients and the | | | | supplements.10) If in doubt, contact the |
| population of beneficial soil bacteria are | | | | supplement manufacturers or distributors for |
| depleted rapidly, and the produce we grow | | | | more information of their products.11) Health |
| today contain less micronutrient than | | | | food supplements are available in many |
| before.A stressful lifestyle, improper eating | | | | places, such as grocery stores, health food |
| habits, imbalanced diet and increased | | | | stores, drug stores, pharmacies, |
| exposure to chemicals such as environmental | | | | supermarkets, department stores, online |
| pollutants (air, water) and pesticides, | | | | stores, etc. Be a smart consumer, compare the |
| drugs, hormones, heavy metals in foods also | | | | price and service before purchase.To learn |
| weaken our body gradually.Although health | | | | more about health food supplements, please |
| food supplements can be beneficial to our | | | | visit Lo holds a Ph.D. in Biology and is the |
| health, consumers should still choose the | | | | owner of a review site providing information |
| products carefully. Currently, there is | | | | on discount health food supplements, common |
| little regulation on the quality of health | | | | ailments and online vitamin stores. |