The vitamin market is crowded with numerous options and even the most savvy consumer can become confused. Here is our objective look at the vitamin supplement industry and our tips for how you can choose the right vitamins for your family.
Price vs quality. If you are just trying to buy the most inexpensive vitamins on the market, your job is fairly easy. However, understand that quality products will cost more. However, do not fall into the trap of paying too much. Products sold in multi-level plans are practically always overpriced. So are products sold on TV infomercials.
Liquid vs capsules/tablets. While more expensive, there is evidence that liquid products are more easily absorbed by your body. It does little good to take a product that your body cannot benefit from. If you choose to take supplements that come in tablets, investigate to see if proper testing is done to ensure that they will dissolve in the stomach.
Responsible marketing vs. illegal claims. Be cautious of any medical claims that promise things that sound too good to be true. Vitamins do not cure cancer or other serious diseases and for that matter, are not likely to provide great bursts of energy. Vitamins are most beneficial as supplements to diet to ensure overall good health.
At VitaGuide, we do not endorse any particular product. We tend to like companies that emphasize quality over price and show an interest in preserving the integrity of their products. Some companies hire doctors to audit their quality—online retailer Vitabase is a great example of this. Quality companies are careful with the sourcing of their raw ingredients and their quality control.
In general, we recommend you purchase the best quality product that you can afford. Above all, buy from companies that you believe in. There is no governmental agency carefully watching the supplement industry—at the end of the day, each company’s commitment to integrity determines the quality of their product.
by the Harvard School of Public Health
It has been asked by millions of people “If you eat a healthy diet, do you need to take vitamins?” Not very long ago, the common answer from most experts and professionals would have been an emphatic "no". However, today there's quite a bit of evidence that taking a daily multivitamin makes good sense for most adults.
by the Mayoclinic Staff
Given the popularity and availability of “high potency” amino acids, antioxidants, enzymes and herbs, it might seem like dietary supplements could replace food as a source of the nutrients the body requires. However, this is not the case.
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