Are all Nutritional Supplements Alike?

Topsoil is depleted, human environments have become toxic - the only solution seems to be taking quality supplements.

Everyone has read the reports and seen the news. Worldwide, topsoil is becoming increasingly depleted and lacks the necessary nutrients and minerals that our bodies need to be healthy. Our human environments are often toxic and wreak havoc on our health. Free radicals attack our immune system. The only solution seems to be supplementation with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to compensate for environmental deficiencies.

How do most people react to this information? They take a trip to the local supermarket or pharmacy, grab bottles of a cheap popular supplement, and then think their job is done. They aren't even questioning if what they consume is nutritionally complete and balanced.

In laboratory testing, some health supplements have been found to be not only nutritionally unbalanced, but to have incorrect and misleading labels. Many times what consumers think they are buying and what they are actually receiving are two different things.

What can people do to ensure they are purchasing supplements that are high quality and nutritionally balanced? There are companies that invest significant time and money into extensive research. Here are 5 tips to assist consumers:

1. Perform careful research. The internet is a great help. Don't just go along with the latest fads. A good book to read is "The Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements" by Lyle MacWilliam, BSc, MSc. MacWilliam is a former Canadian Member of Parliament and a current member of the Legislative Assembly for British Columbia. His book carefully analyzes over 500 products available in the US and Canada. The products that are listed at the top are best in the market today.

2. Look for a company who has worldwide scientific alliances and a reputation for putting quality first.

3. Check to see if there is a guaranteed potency. Yes, there are companies who offer this and who follow stringent analytical and quality control procedures. In other words, these companies make sure that what you see on a product's label is actually in the product.

4. Make sure the company's products follow pharmaceutical-grade good manufacturing practices (GMP). This is a step above FDA regulations. This means a variety of government agencies conduct periodic inspections and require control of procedures, as well as documentation.

5. Lastly, look to see if the company's products provide a money-back guarantee. Believe it or not, there is a company that is so confident about its products that it offers a revolutionary one million dollar money-back guarantee to professional and world class athletes.

In other words, do your due diligence, and you will find reputable companies that deliver quality products consistently.