How to Choose High-Quality Supplements

Are you considering purchasing a dietary supplement and getting overwhelmed with all of the options and research out there?

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You are not alone. Whether you're a seasoned supplement user or just getting started, understanding how to identify high-quality and bioactive forms can be really important.

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STEP 1: ASSESSING QUALITY

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First and foremost, I recommend laying the groundwork by ensuring the quality of your supplements. Here's what to look for:

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Third-Party Testing:
Seek products that have undergone independent testing by organizations like USP, NSF, or ConsumerLab. This indicates the product meets safety and quality standards.

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Ingredient Purity:
Avoid supplements with excessive fillers, additives, or artificial colors.
Below is a resource to learn more about common additives in your supplements:
[COMMON ADDITIVES]

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Manufacturing Practices:
Look for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certification, which ensures proper manufacturing and quality control.

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STEP 2: Ensuring Bioactive Forms

(i.e. your body can actually use them efficiently!)

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Bioactive forms are more readily absorbed by your body. Here are a few tips on how to identify bioactive forms of common supplements:

• Vitamin D: Opt for "D3" (cholecalciferol) – it's more effective than “D2” and is best paired with Vitamin K2 for absorption. (K2 is also more bioactive than K1).
• B Vitamins: Choose "methylcobalamin" for B12 and "methylfolate" for folate. These forms are more easily utilized by your body.
• Minerals: Look for "chelated" minerals like "magnesium glycinate" or "zinc picolinate" as chelation enhances absorption.

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STEP 3: The Label Detective

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Time to become a label detective! Just like on our food labels, it’s important to know what you are putting into your body. Flip that supplement bottle and look for these clues:

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Form Names:
Search for the bioactive forms mentioned earlier (e.g., "methylcobalamin," "methylfolate," "K2").

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Dosage:
Make sure the dosage matches recommended daily allowances or therapeutic guidelines. Also, you don’t want to have to take 6 capsules just to get the recommended dose (at least I don’t)!

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Other Ingredients:
Watch for allergens or unnecessary additives.

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Trusted Brands We Love

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While there are a lot of great options on the market, here are a few of our favorite supplement brands that fill these guidelines:

• LEGION ATHLETICS
• PURE ENCAPSULATIONS
• LIFE EXTENSION
• MOMENTOUS
• THORNE

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Ready to start thriving again? Let us help by putting an expert in your corner to get you there faster and maintain that progress for life! Learn more about our online health coaching by clicking here!