What You Need to Know When Buying Vitamins Online

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You can be taking a bit of a gamble when buying vitamins online. The best advice is to buy from reputable manufacturers with trusted ratings, approvals, and reviews.

Not All are Tested Well

Vitamins and minerals don’t go through the same kinds of tests as clinical drugs like those made by Big Pharma. In the US, for example, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) only tests about 1% of the roughly 65,000 supplements that are on the market. In short, when you eat these things, you are taking a risk. But some products from more reputable brands, like Microvita’s natural ADHD supplements, are Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) and considered high-quality non-drug treatments by regulatory bodies like the FDA.

You Can Overdose on Vitamins

Even though it might be tempting to think you need more vitamins from supplements, you probably don’t. You probably get all the vitamins you need from the food you eat. Vitamins C, A, and B6 are common supplements that many people take. But these can be dangerous if you take too much of them. Too much vitamin C can cause stones to form in the kidneys. Vitamin A is poisonous, and too much of it can cause headaches, seizures, and blurred vision. Vitamin D is one of the most popular supplements, but it can cause severe bone issues with too much.

Buying Vitamins Online isn’t Allergy Regulated

Because regulators like the FDA don’t test and check products as carefully as they should, it is possible that they contain allergens. So, if you have a severe allergy, you should be very careful before taking something. Manufacturers of supplements are not required to list allergens:

• Severe allergens such as shellfish could be processed in the same environment.
• Dietary allergens such as gluten intolerance are often used to make capsules.
• There is no way of knowing all allergens that are used in the ingredients list.

This is very scary because over 1,500 people die from anaphylaxis every year in the United States alone. In most countries, allergen listing only applies to food packaging and not to supplements. So, don’t buy anything until you know everything about it.

Some Claims are Faked

Most supplements say they are good for your health in ways that almost all of us like. For example, nootropic brain boosters usually say that they improve focus, increase brain activity, and make you more aware. Most of the time, “doctors” on a product’s landing page or customer reviews on the product’s website and eCommerce sites back up these claims. Still, anyone can write a testimonial, and between 40% and 50% of testimonials on the web are likely to be fake. So most of the time, you’ll see a lot of positive comments with minimal negative comments.

You May Not Need Supplements

You probably don’t need the supplements you take, which is something you might not believe. We are constantly told that supplements should be used as part of a healthy, active, and varied lifestyle. Well, you don’t need vitamin and mineral supplements if you live like this. Unless you have a health problem like not being able to absorb enough vitamin B. When you take supplements, only vitamins like these are good for your health as a whole. Instead, you can get everything you need from a variety of colorful fruits, vegetables, meats, and dairy.

Summary

Buying vitamins online is as easy as anything else. However, there are some concerns. Not all are tested and regulated, testimonials are often faked, and you may not even need them.

*This article is based on personal suggestions and/or experiences and is for informational purposes only. This should not be used as professional advice. Please consult a professional where applicable.