Since supplements are not regulated, you have no idea whether they are safe or effective by just looking at the bottle or reading the ingredients.
There may be misleading claims on the label because the manufacturer does not need to prove that it's accurate or truthful before it appears on the product.
And, you don't even know if the product really contains the ingredients listed, or if it contains an ingredient that is not listed!
And, even if it's a good supplement from a reputable company, do you know if it's really something that your body needs?
Dietary supplements generate more than $20 billion in annual consumer sales. They have big advertising budgets. Don't be fooled into thinking you can just take some pills to boost your energy or lose weight or build muscle.
There is a place for some supplements, but to make sure your body really needs them, do your research and consult with your health care provider.
Post your comment here to ask Nar & Elaine about any supplements you have questions about.
Reading this makes me think twice about my daily multi-vitamins. So should I still keep taking them or just get my vitamins and nutrients thought my daily intake of fruits and vegtables? - Lilit
ReplyDeleteFanshen & I don't eat a lot of fish - it's expensive. And I really need a lot of joint support with the double daily workouts. I take MSM and Glucosamine everyday, but I know you guys recommend getting these through whole foods. Is fish the only way to cover this? Any recommendations for fish that's not too pricey but still tasty?
ReplyDeleteGreat question, Diego. First of all, glucosamine is supposed to help the joint by stimulating specific components of your cartilage to thrive and reproduce. There is almost no way to get this from food because it comes from the shell portion of shellfish. Although we almost always tell people to get their nutrients from food, not supplements, that doesn't work for glucosamine.
ReplyDeleteStudies have conflicting results about the effectiveness of glucosamine, but we know many people who say it relieves their joint pain. So if you feel it works for you, no problem. We have not read anything indicating that it's dangerous to consume.
Many of our members have had success with the "Joint Support" supplement from Trader Joe's that contains glucosamin, chondroitin and MSM. It's also less expensive there than almost anywhere else.
Regarding fish: The fish oil acts as an anti-inflammatory and that's why it helps the joints. Although fish can be expensive, this is one area where you do want to spend the money. If the fish is cheap, it may be because it's old. The goal when buying fish is to make sure it's fresh & good quality.
We recommend you eat two servings of fish per week. Here are some good fish to choose from:
albacore tuna, salmon, halibut, herring, mackerel, sardines, lake trout, rainbow trout, sea bass, swordfish, oysters, blue fin tuna and yellow fin tuna.