At one point in their lives, most people have taken vitamin supplements. However, as you grow up, you are bombarded with numerous options in the market, and choosing the right supplements can be overwhelming. Also, contradicting reports and brand publicity have made it even harder to decide what’s best.
Am sure you know there is a way to better your health, but how can you ensure you are using the appropriate supplements? The key is understanding what supplements you require and considering how your lifestyle and health goals are affected. Here are easy steps to pick the appropriate supplements.
Diagnose what vitamin supplements your body needs
Always consult a doctor before using any vitamins or mineral supplements. First, you need to get a checkup and know the minerals or vitamins you require, and then take them accordingly. Using many supplements can increase your chance of side effects and conflicting interactions.
So, it would be great if you were careful not to use supplements to replace a good diet. Additionally, you should pick supplements according to your gender.
Select supplements according to your gender
You should choose the quantity and type of supplements according to your gender. A woman might need some vitamin source that a man might not require. For instance, women need iron and folic acid more as compared to males.
Men require more calories than women, so they need to take a higher total intake of each micronutrient. Similarly, women need fewer calories than men, but they have higher vitamin and mineral demands in many cases. So, this means they require less or no vitamin supplements.
Pick supplements according to age
Age is a vital factor when it comes to supplement selection. People from several age groups require varying measures of nutrients, and you should not consume less or more than recommended. For example, newborns need 40 mg of vitamin C while 9 to 13 years old need about 40 mg.
In addition, aging is associated with changes that can make you prone to calcium deficiency, vitamin B12, magnesium iron, and several vital nutrients. So, this means that older people need to take a higher dose of vitamin supplements than younger people.
Choose the right brand
It’s funny how people buy the name of the product or brand. It can be maybe you’ve had a good experience with the brand or get a recommendation. So here are things to check when buying supplements:
- First, you must check if the seal is intact before buying supplements.
- You must check the supplement mark of authenticity.
- You should also check the labeling to ensure it’s the right one-Best quality, and original supplements will have a list of all the ingredients used.
Lastly, you can check the internet and read the customer reviews of that specific brand. The vitamin supplements scene can be overwhelming since there are a ton of options available. But when you get the right brand and what works for you, things become more manageable. However, you should always make sure you start and stick with quality supplements.
