There
are hundreds of bottles and jars of dietary supplements on store shelves. It is
a $40 billion industry in the United States. How effective are they to our
everyday health and wellness? Health Briefs TV weighs in.
Dietary supplements come in several
formulations such as pills, powders and other oral types. They are most
commonly marketing as weight loss supplements, body building products and formulations
that increase sexual performance. Most
of the time, there will be claims about the products that promise fantastic
results like rapid weight loss, works in a short amount of time, and other hard
to believe tales. There are also numerous businesses around the country that
market and sell online dietary supplements for humans and animals. Many of
these companies also claim to have their own health magazines. It can hard to tell which supplements and
companies have the real deal.
The
Health Briefs TV show suggests consumers look for the USP label on the bottle
or jar. The U.S. Pharmacopeial
Convention is a scientific non-profit organization which sets standards for
quality and purity of medicines, food ingredients, and dietary supplements
made, distributed and consumed worldwide. It is also a good idea to ask the
doctor if a dietary supplement is needed. Most often, we can get enough of what
we need in what we eat. Exceptions to this might be with calcium and vitamin D.
If wanting to take dietary supplements, read the label on the bottle first and
compare it with others. Look for the USP label on the packaging. Don’t be
fooled into taking a supplement not needed. Eat healthy every day and go for a
walk at least twice a day – weather permitting. This is all we basically need
to do in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
