How Do I Identify a High-Quality Supplement?

How Do I Identify a High-Quality Supplement? (for breast cancer survivors)

Supplement Nutrient

If you plan to take supplements, it is important to make sure that you are getting
what your body needs. Unfortunately this is not always the case. Here are a few of
the most critical of several issues to consider when purchasing supplements.

BIOAVAILABILITY

A nutrient is only as good as your ability to absorb it. So it’s good to get a
handle on what makes some forms more absorbable than others. Remember, the closer to real food your formula is, the more familiar it will feel to your body. That said, there are a few other basic principles. Minerals, for example, are notoriously
hard for the body to absorb in both food and supplement form. Albion Labs, a
leader in the nutritional supplement field, estimates that typical absorption rates for
minerals range from 10 to 45 percent (quoted in Bauman 2009). The following
chart illustrates some common nutrient forms and can serve as a guide to preferable
ones.

NUMBER OF NUTRIENTS INCLUDED

All multinutrient formulas include the basics, but only a high-quality supplement
includes trace minerals, which play a vital metabolic function. For example, look
for a formula that includes chromium to assist with blood sugar regulation, silicon
for hair and nail strength, boron for bone health, and vanadium for insulin
sensitivity. These trace minerals are of particular importance since they are scarce
in most conventional soils. A good-quality formula includes these trace minerals
and more.

USP CERTIFICATION

A supplement with the USP (U.S. Pharmacopoeia) designation is
of the highest quality, indicating that the product has met the
following standards: disintegration (you don’t want your vitamin
pills just sitting in your stomach!), strength, purity, and expiration
(when the supplement will no longer meet these standards). Look for
the USP symbol to ensure that your supplements have been verified
in this fashion.

If you like, you can also request a certificate of analysis from the supplement
manufacturer to help ensure quality control and that the label reflects the actual
contents. An authentic certificate gives details of the lab where tests were conducted,
what was tested, and the lot number of the product tested. This is a good way to be
sure the product is free of heavy metals, pesticides, solvents, and other pollutants.

NO “JUNK” INGREDIENTS

Beware of products with ingredient names you can’t pronounce or identify, such
as titanium dioxide, stannous chloride, and sodium metavanadate, common
ingredients in drugstore supplements. Other substances to avoid include all artificial
colors and flavors, sugars, artificial sweeteners, and toxic fillers. You might also
consider avoiding common allergens, such as lactose, gluten, and cornstarch.