Let's face it—people want to live a long and healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately, not everyone can live up to this ideal. Work, stress, and other circumstances can cause havoc on your body. Adding to that unhealthy eating habits, you miss out on some essential nutrients.

Dietary supplements in capsules, gels, powders, and liquids can help you stay on top of things. They contain vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, and even herbs to help you address nutritional deficiencies or prevent future disease. Although they may seem like the most convenient way to get all your dietary needs, supplements can carry both benefits and risks that it's best to know before you rush to the nearest health store.

Things To Consider

You may be wondering if all the hype about dietary supplements is valid and if it will do you good. While they may help improve your health and overall condition, they may not be an excellent fit for everyone.

It would be best if you considered some things before taking a pill or gulping a healthy drink:

Your Health Condition

Purchasing food supplements is easy. All you need is to head out to a pharmacy or some health store, and you can get a bottle or two. However, taking them may not be as simple. The only way to determine if you need some dietary supplements is to ask your doctor. They can evaluate your nutritional needs and health condition to ensure that supplements will help you achieve your wellness goals.

Your health provider may allow you to take supplements if you have a medical condition or to help reduce the risks of future illness. For example, some children have micronutrient deficiencies and may need iron, zinc, or specific vitamins. Pregnant women usually need folic acid supplements, while older adults may turn to calcium, vitamin D, or lutein to address age-related degeneration.

Others may find certain supplements helpful for preventing or managing chronic diseases. Athletes and bodybuilders may find it beneficial to use protein supplements to improve their performance.

If you have any of the conditions mentioned, you can consult your doctor, and they will run some tests to determine if you need supplements or just some adjustments to make sure you're eating healthily.

Potential Side Effects

Some supplements may also have side effects. They can range from mild discomforts such as headache, dizziness, or nausea to more serious ones. Take CoQ10, a popular supplement to prevent headaches, Parkinson's disease, hypertension, and heart disease. Although it can improve your health, CoQ10 can cause insomnia in rare cases, so, you should seek professional advice before taking it.

There are also dietary supplements that can reduce the efficacy of certain drugs. Vitamin K can counteract with blood thinners, while antioxidants might reduce the effect of cancer chemotherapy.

Product Labels And Claims

It's also best to read product labels to know what dietary supplements contain. Aside from necessary nutrients, labels should also include binders, fillers, etc., to let consumers know what they're taking.

In addition, be wary of claims that sound too good to be true. Companies should in no way claim that they can diagnose or treat an illness as this is contrary to guidelines set by the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA). While supplements can help manage your existing condition, they don't take the place of prescribed medication.

It would be best if you also took caution when reading products labeled as 'natural' as they don't generally mean they're safe. Some herbal supplements such as comfrey and kava may pose risks, so it's best to consult your health provider before taking them.

Dosage

Aside from product information, labels should also contain dosage instructions. It's best to follow what's listed on the label, as too much can cause more harm to your health. Supplements should fill nutritional gaps but not go beyond what is required. Excessive vitamin, mineral, or botanical intake may cause liver damage and pose other health risks.

It would help to consider how long you need to take the supplement. Your health practitioner can determine this and may advise you to discontinue use once deficiencies are addressed. Or, they may increase your dosage and even extend use.

Storage

Lastly, consider where you'll store your dietary supplements. Excessive sunlight, heat, or humidity can decrease their shelf life, so it is best to keep them in a cool, dry place. Some liquid supplements may even require refrigeration.

If you have children or pets living with you, make sure to store them in the appropriate places, away from them. Experts also advise against placing them in bathroom cabinets that are prone to moisture or near heat sources such as ovens. The bedroom is probably your best option, as it has ideal conditions for storage.

Final Thoughts

Dietary supplements are often the go-to solutions to address nutritional gaps and prevent future disease. However, they are only beneficial to people with existing health conditions. Even if your doctor gives you a go-signal, know that dietary supplements have side effects. It's best to read labels and follow dosage and storage instructions to ensure that nutritional supplements will work to improve your health truly.

5 Things To Consider Before Taking Dietary Supplements