Essential versus Non-essential Nutrients
Vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and enzymes are essential for the body's functionality. Prebiotics and probiotics effectively act as catalysts in maintaining good health, but are not essential.
Herbs and homeopathics are believed to be natural medicines based only in pseudoscience. Some are proven to be effective for treating conditions while most are not, and some are proven to cause conditions.
Herbs and homeopathics are believed to be natural medicines based only in pseudoscience. Some are proven to be effective for treating conditions while most are not, and some are proven to cause conditions.
Is natural safe?
The short answer is no. Something being natural does not mean it was meant for human consumption. Poison ivy is natural. Similarly, because something is commonly used as an alternative treatment for a condition does not mean that it treats the condition.
Remember that all perceivable matter is chemical. It is YOUR responsibility to know what you purchase and consume. It is YOUR mistake if you did not read about something on a credible source prior to consumption. Sales representatives and clerks will not care if you have bought something potentially harmful to you, and it will not come back on them.
Remember that all perceivable matter is chemical. It is YOUR responsibility to know what you purchase and consume. It is YOUR mistake if you did not read about something on a credible source prior to consumption. Sales representatives and clerks will not care if you have bought something potentially harmful to you, and it will not come back on them.
Synthetic, Food Based, & Whole Food
Synthetic supplements are isolated supplements processed chemically. They are okay for consumption but not ideal for long term, because they strain the digestive system on account of the body being used to breaking down cells to process them. They can often cause nausea and sometimes vomiting.
Food based supplements are isolated supplements grown with or inserted into an edible food source so that they are not isolated. They are better for consumption than synthetic supplements and do not cause nausea.
Whole food supplements are concentrated with actual food sources that are dehydrated and processed. This is the best option for consumption, but it is also rare in stores.
Food based supplements are isolated supplements grown with or inserted into an edible food source so that they are not isolated. They are better for consumption than synthetic supplements and do not cause nausea.
Whole food supplements are concentrated with actual food sources that are dehydrated and processed. This is the best option for consumption, but it is also rare in stores.
Probiotics
Probiotic consumption is simple to understand. Probiotics are bacteria that are healthy to consume because they fight other bacteria in your digestive system, which in turn reduces strain on your immune system. Many brands will advertise the potency of bacteria present, saying in large letters that x billion cells are in each serving. Potency does not matter beyond 10 billion, because the excess becomes extracted. What does matter is the number of different strains present; the higher, the better.
WARNING
If you have a medical condition and/or are taking medications, be sure check for drug interferences prior to consumption. I highly recommend drugs.com as the most excellent resource for drug and disease interactions.
From personal experience, we had to learn from a medical professional that taking glucosamine chondroitin can accelerate mycobacterial infection in the lungs! As stated above, educating oneself is critical.
If you have a medical condition and/or are taking medications, be sure check for drug interferences prior to consumption. I highly recommend drugs.com as the most excellent resource for drug and disease interactions.From personal experience, we had to learn from a medical professional that taking glucosamine chondroitin can accelerate mycobacterial infection in the lungs! As stated above, educating oneself is critical.
Harmful "Other Ingredients"
Other ingredients will always be listed under the nutrition label. It has to be said that they are not there because of nutritional value or are types of bonus ingredients, as some would suggest. Other ingredients refers to either the excipients or the capsule containing the supplement.
Potassium sorbate is listed in most liquid supplements. It is a food preservative that while added in low enough quantities to be determined as safe by many agencies, the concern for it is its consumption over an extended period of time. It has an NFPA 704 toxicity of 2, and in large quantities has been shown to be damaging to genes, especially when consumed with nitrites. It is best to avoid potassium sorbate where possible.
Magnesium stearate and stearic acid are closely related industrial lubricants added to most solid supplements. They are present to prevent the supplement from clinging to machines during the manufacturing process, and for no other reason. While added in low enough quantities to be determined as safe by many agencies, the concern is for their consumption over an extended period of time. They both have an NFPA 704 toxicity of 1. According to ONE study, too much of it can cause irritation in the bowels which can lead to either diarrhea or a spasm causing the spontaneous crapping of pants. Other health claims about them, such as weakening the body's absorption or disrupting immune function are unsubstantiated. It is best to avoid these additives where possible.
Potassium sorbate is listed in most liquid supplements. It is a food preservative that while added in low enough quantities to be determined as safe by many agencies, the concern for it is its consumption over an extended period of time. It has an NFPA 704 toxicity of 2, and in large quantities has been shown to be damaging to genes, especially when consumed with nitrites. It is best to avoid potassium sorbate where possible.
Magnesium stearate and stearic acid are closely related industrial lubricants added to most solid supplements. They are present to prevent the supplement from clinging to machines during the manufacturing process, and for no other reason. While added in low enough quantities to be determined as safe by many agencies, the concern is for their consumption over an extended period of time. They both have an NFPA 704 toxicity of 1. According to ONE study, too much of it can cause irritation in the bowels which can lead to either diarrhea or a spasm causing the spontaneous crapping of pants. Other health claims about them, such as weakening the body's absorption or disrupting immune function are unsubstantiated. It is best to avoid these additives where possible.
Sales Strategies
Keep in mind that the supplements industry aims to make money just like every other industry. More bad news, especially here.
It is no secret that the pharmaceutical industry has an array of faults. Supplement sales people will use this fact as their go-to sales tactic, projecting an overall blinder for uninformed consumers to insinuate that all the products they push are safe and necessary.
Many sales people will knowingly push unsubstantiated claims of health benefits for their products, stating much of the time that it has been researched by the brand itself. Many will also use shotgun argumentation to achieve this goal, counting on blowing the mind of an uninformed audience.
One is on their own in learning what is backed by science prior to purchasing. Sales reps and clerks will sometimes try to convince customers that the science is in and x supplement works for y condition. If it isn't in writing, they can lie all they want.
Containers will never say something like "cures cancer" because legally they cannot. Often they will say something like "promotes/supports/helps with" immune health. This has no factual implication either way. Sales reps will look for these on labels while showing products, to show the consumer, strengthen their pitch, and make it sound as if the product does improve immune health.
Again, education.
It is no secret that the pharmaceutical industry has an array of faults. Supplement sales people will use this fact as their go-to sales tactic, projecting an overall blinder for uninformed consumers to insinuate that all the products they push are safe and necessary.
Many sales people will knowingly push unsubstantiated claims of health benefits for their products, stating much of the time that it has been researched by the brand itself. Many will also use shotgun argumentation to achieve this goal, counting on blowing the mind of an uninformed audience.
One is on their own in learning what is backed by science prior to purchasing. Sales reps and clerks will sometimes try to convince customers that the science is in and x supplement works for y condition. If it isn't in writing, they can lie all they want.
Containers will never say something like "cures cancer" because legally they cannot. Often they will say something like "promotes/supports/helps with" immune health. This has no factual implication either way. Sales reps will look for these on labels while showing products, to show the consumer, strengthen their pitch, and make it sound as if the product does improve immune health.
Again, education.