Thanks to the internet and social networks, today more than ever nutritional supplements have been very well received either to address specific health conditions or diseases or to achieve some health and wellness goals such as losing weight, gaining muscle mass, improving energy levels, preventing illnesses, among many others.

When it comes to nutritional supplements, many people are unaware that intake could pose risks if not used properly. In this new blog post, we will discuss 6 questions you should ask yourself before taking a nutritional supplement. Answering these questions will help you identify if it is right for you and how to use it effectively.

1: What goal do I want to achieve?

It is the main question you should ask yourself. It is necessary to have a clear objective for why you want to take a certain nutritional supplement. To answer this question you should know what the supplement you are about to ingest is for. You also should know if you will take the supplement to support/ improve any health condition or as prevention. Our recommendation is always to consult your healthcare provider.

2: Do I know what else the nutritional supplement is for?

Now that it is clear that the supplement we will take allows us to achieve the proposed objective, ask yourself if this supplement (whether it is a vitamin, enzyme, mineral or amino acid) has other side benefits. For example, Vitamin D helps keep bones strong and reduces bone loss, but it also plays a vital role in the nervous and immune system. Knowledge is power. Take a look at all the benefits you can take advantage of!

You should also check the Supplement Facts Label that lists all its ingredients, because each supplement on the market comes with different nutritional elements, values and many other ingredients (fillers, binders, sweeteners, flavorings, etc.). Always make sure you are not allergic or have any contraindication to any item on the list.

3: How do I know the ideal amount of nutritional supplement for me?

First of all, remember that these medications are designed to supplement your diet. People should eat a well-balanced diet and take supplements to fill in nutritional gaps. It is also true that some health conditions require nutritional supplements. However, how much should you take?

The best advice we can give is to look for information in reliable sources about the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) and the Adequate Intake (AI) to know the amounts you may need. This information is adapted according to gender characteristics, age groups, etc. Beware of excesses! You can also check the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) which is the maximum daily amount for a healthy intake of the nutritional supplement. The manufacturer usually suggests a serving size or dose. However, your health care provider might decide on a different amount that is more appropriate for you according to your particular needs.

4: Are there any side effects of the nutritional supplement?

Just like prescription drugs, supplements can also have side effects. You can look into its adverse effects. Although they rarely cause side effects, the cases of adverse effects reported so far are generally associated with misuse of the supplement: ingesting more than necessary, not being suitable for the supplement due to previous health conditions or by interactions of the supplement with other medications or foods (we will resolve these issues in our next question about contraindications).

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) possible adverse events that can result from nutritional supplement use are rashes, shortness of breath, diarrhea, severe joint or muscle pain, slurred speech and blood in the urine, etc.

Lastly, remember that some supplements are riskier than others and excessive consumption can be toxic as in the case of fat-soluble vitamins stored in the body. Be a safe and informed consumer. If you have questions, consult your healthcare provider.

5: Does the nutritional supplement have contraindications?

Knowing what contraindications are is vital to start the consumption of a nutritional supplement. Contraindications are specific situations in which a treatment, medication or supplement should not be used. We have separated some categories to make life easier for you when checking if the nutritional supplement you are interested in has any contraindications:

· Previous medical conditions

If you have a health condition, you should ensure supplement consumption does not worsen your disease or its associated symptoms. Nutritional supplements should be your allies and not threaten your health and wellness.

· Interactions

Nutritional supplements can interact dangerously with other supplements medications, and even some types of food. From harmful combinations to decreasing drug or treatment effectiveness. Make sure

· Lifecycle

You must ensure that the supplement in consideration is suitable for your lifecycle: Can it be taken by people of all ages? Is it for men and women or just for one sex or the other? Can a pregnant or lactating person take it without risk?

· Lifestyle

Check if habits such as smoking or drinking alcohol interfere negatively with the nutritional supplement intake. Also check if the supplement you are considering is photosensitizing. If so, you should be extra careful about sun exposure.

· Possible future situations

There are situations – planned or not – in which some nutritional supplements should not be taken or reported to your doctor in time. For example, some medications can interfere with lab tests, pregnancy or have dangerous effects during surgery. These effects include increasing bleeding risk or changing anesthesia response.

Question 6: Where should I store the nutritional supplement?

To ensure that a nutritional supplement helps maintain or recover your health it must be stored in the proper conditions. Always read the product label and review storage recommendations from the manufacturer. The following should be considered as general guidelines:

· Look for a cool and dry space. Otherwise, it may break down faster and lose its effect.

· Avoid direct sunlight. Do not leave them near windows.

· Refrigerator only for those that require them.

· Do not store medications near dangerous substances or chemicals.

Conclusion

It’s okay to achieve your health and wellness goals by complementing your lifestyle with nutritional supplements, but always be careful not to put yourself at risk. Therefore, learn about the supplement and its correct intake. Remember that it is always recommended to schedule an appointment with a health professional before any decision is taken.

Given the significant impact of nutritional supplements, our last recommendation is to keep a record of what you are currently taking and how often. Never omit this type of information from your medical appointments.