Five Things to Look For When Buying a Supplement

Live Well

Five Things to Look For When Buying a Supplement

You try to put only healthy things in your body. Good for you! Whole foods, deep breaths when you exercise, and let’s not forget your supplements. According to the latest CRN Consumer Survey on Dietary Supplements, a whopping 76 percent of you are using dietary supplements. That’s up 5 percent from last year.

You want to make sure your supplements match your healthy way of living. First and foremost, you want to make sure they don’t interfere with any prescription or over-the-counter drugs you may be taking, so consult your doctor before beginning any new supplement regimen.

Once you’ve got the go-ahead, you want to make sure you get the most out of your supplements. Here are some suggestions:

Inspect the ingredients

While you may think it’s only vitamins and minerals that go into dietary supplements, there are also inactive ingredients that help supplements deliver on their promise of nutrient potency, whether it’s a tablet, capsule or softgel. These are called excipients. Some excipients, such as artificial colors, are often added simply to make a supplement more eye-catching. Add these to your list of excipients to avoid. For example:

  • FD&C Blue #1 (Blue 1 Lake)
  • FD&C Blue #2 (Blue 2 Lake)
  • FD&C Red #40 (Red 40 Lake)
Look with a critical eye

The FDA requires certain things be clear on the bottle … no wiggle room here. Make sure you can read the name of the product, the name, address, and phone number of the manufacturer, a complete list of active ingredients (the Supplement Facts box) and excipients (the Ingredient list), and the serving size. If not, it’s a good sign something else may be wiggly, like product quality.

Do a “gut check” on product claims

Dietary supplements have limits on what they can and cannot say. Claims must be truthful, not misleading, and backed by sound research. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t companies out there that will promise something they can’t deliver. If the label or commercial sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t true. Cures cancer can’t possibly be a valid claim. Lose 10 pounds in a day, no way. Targets the special nutritional needs of those with diabetes, now there’s a valid claim.

Check the expiration date

Choose a supplement that has an expiration date. Why? The manufacturer must complete the necessary stability tests to back up the date and ensure full nutrient potency for as long as the product stays on the shelf. Supplements lose their potency over time. No matter how good the supplement may be, once it’s expired, the ingredients may no longer be at full potency.

Get your questions answered

You can get detailed information about the nutrients in a supplement by talking to your doctor or pharmacist. For questions about a formula and manufacturing process, it’s best to contact the manufacturer. Is it free of gluten? Does it contain any allergens? Is it suitable for vegans? Is it made using the FDA’s current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs)? You will find⎯or should find⎯all the information you need to contact the manufacturer on every single label, making it easy to write, call, or email your questions.

That’s it, five simple ways to help you choose a quality supplement that can deliver the value you deserve.

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ENDUR-FLEX Glucosamine 500mg/Chondroitin 200mg - (200 Tablets)

ENDUR-FLEX Glucosamine 500mg/Chondroitin 200mg - (200 Tablets)

Sustained Release

$46.99

With glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, it promotes joint health and comfort by nourishing the body’s production of proteoglycans – large molecules required to maintain, rebuild, and repair cartilage tissue and lubricate joints. 

At-a-Glance

  • Promotes joint comfort & flexibility*
  • Helps repair & rebuild cartilage*
  • Supports healthy joint lubrication*
  • Sustained-release delivery for high bioavailability

Product Description

ENDUR-FLEX® Glucosamine 500mg/Chondroitin 200mg (Sustained Release) is ideal for men and women who want to maintain optimal joint flexibility, comfort, and movement.*

ENDUR-FLEX® is specially formulated to provide glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate – two joint health nutrients backed by a large body of clinical research – in a unique sustained-release tablet for slow and steady nutrient release.

ENDUR-FLEX® promotes joint health by nourishing your body’s production of proteoglycans, which are large molecules required to maintain, rebuild, and repair cartilage tissue and lubricate joints. 

Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are vital building blocks for proteoglycans. In joint cartilage, proteoglycans weave through the network of collagen where they attract and hold water. This ability to hold water is what maintains resilient, yet elastic, cartilage tissue. It also is critical to produce the viscous synovial fluid that lubricates and cushions your joints.*

Features

  • Easy-to-swallow tablets
  • No salt, starch, preservatives, artificial color or flavorings

Frequently Asked Questions

What can you expect?

ENDUR-FLEX® is a unique dietary supplement for adults that provides nourishing support to maintain, rebuild and repair cartilage tissue and lubricate joints.*

How does it work?

In the body, each tablet dissolves slowly for a steady, continuous release of glucosamine and chondroitin to promote optimal absorption.

How do you take it?

As a dietary supplement for adults, take three (3) tablets daily. For best results take one (1) tablet with each meal. It is normal for this product to have a distinctive botanical aroma.

Are there any precautions?

Consult your healthcare professional prior to use if you have or suspect a medical condition, are taking any medications, or are pregnant or nursing. As with all dietary supplements, keep out of reach of children.

What product quality control tests are performed?

ENDUR-FLEX® is manufactured in the United States (Oregon) in a state-of-the-art, FDA-registered facility that meets or exceeds current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP). Quality control tests are performed at every stage of the manufacturing process from rigorous raw material testing to finished product testing.

 

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Omega-3 Phospholipid 500mg (180 Softgels)

Omega-3 Phospholipid 500mg (180 Softgels)

Immediate Release

On Sale $39.99 Regular price $54.99

Featuring Superba™ krill oil, it helps increase plasma EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acid levels in the blood to promote heart health and cardiovascular function. 

At-a-Glance

  • May reduce coronary heart disease risk**
  • Promotes a healthy inflammatory response*
  • Supports whole body cellular function*

Product Description

Omega-3 Phospholipid 500mg (100% Pure Krill Oil) is ideal for adults interested in both heart health and whole body health.*

Omega-3 Phospholipid features 100% pure Superba™ krill oil, a naturally sourced ingredient with omega-3 fatty acids in the highly bioavailable phospholipid form along with astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant that acts as a naturally sourced preservative.*

Superba™ krill oil is clinically shown to increase blood levels of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids. These omega-3 fatty acids are critical for a wide range of biochemical processes involved in heart health, a healthy inflammatory response, immune defense, memory and cognitive function, and cellular health.*

Omega-3 Phospholipid may help reduce coronary heart disease risk.** It supports heart health, in part, by helping to maintain a healthy Omega-3 Index. The Omega-3 Index is an emerging biomarker for heart health and reflects the EPA and DHA content of red blood cell membranes that results from the long-term intake of these omega-3 fatty acids.*

Omega-3 Phospholipid also helps ensure an optimal intake of omega-3 fatty acids critical for cell membranes to take in nutrients, expel waste products, and activate cell signaling pathways. Omega-3 fatty acids also serve as building blocks for bioactive compounds that promote a healthy inflammatory response. Inside cells, omega-3 fatty acids play a role in numerous biological pathways involved in immune defense, lipid balance and other functions.*

 

Superba™ is a trademark of the Aker Group.

**Supportive but not conclusive research shows that consumption of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. One serving of Omega-3 Phospholipid provides 0.176 grams of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids.

Features

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  • Gluten-free
  • Free of common allergens (milk, egg, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and soy). Contains shellfish
  • Derived exclusively from sustainably harvested Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba), 100% traceable from sea to shelf

Frequently Asked Questions

What can you expect?

Omega-3 Phospholipid is a unique dietary supplement for men and women to support whole body health, especially heart health.* 

How does it work?

When taken as directed, Omega-3 Phospholipid helps increase blood levels of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids.

How do you take it?

As a dietary supplement for adults, take two (2) softgels twice daily with a meal or snack, or as directed by your healthcare practitioner.

Are there any precautions?

Consult your healthcare professional prior to use if you have or suspect a medical condition, are taking any medications, or are pregnant or nursing. As with all dietary supplements, keep out of reach of children.

What product quality control tests are performed?

Omega-3 Phospholipid is manufactured in the United States in a state-of-the-art, FDA-registered facility that meets or exceeds current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP). Quality control tests are performed at every stage of the manufacturing process from rigorous raw material testing to finished product testing.

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PepZinGI® 75mg - Zinc-Carnosine Chewable (60 Tablets)

PepZinGI® 75mg - Zinc-Carnosine Chewable (60 Tablets)

Chewable

$20.99

With zinc and l-carnosine, it promotes the health and integrity of the membranes lining the stomach and digestive tract, supports gastric cells, and helps relieve occasional stomach discomfort. 

At-a-Glance

  • Promotes a healthy stomach lining*
  • Supports gastrointestinal tissue health*
  • Helps maintain overall digestive health*
  • Formulated for effective, yet gentle, daily use 

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PepZinGI® Zinc-Carnosine (Chewable) is ideal for adults who want effective, yet gentle, drug-free support to help maintain the health and integrity of the stomach over the long term.*

PepZinGI® features a patented form of zinc backed by decades of clinical research and use in Japan. This highly stable compound combines zinc, an essential trace mineral, and L-carnosine, a protein building block, to deliver targeted benefits for stomach health. Each nutrient releases slowly and helps fortify the protective mucous membrane lining the stomach and intestines.*

Zinc plays a role in a wide variety of functions in the body, but it is especially critical for maintaining the integrity of the protective membranes that line your digestive tract, including your stomach.

L-carnosine, an antioxidant, helps stabilize the chelate so it dissolves more slowly. This allows the nutrients to reside in the stomach longer where they provide nutritional support to the cells that line the stomach wall – without interfering with normal digestive function.*

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  • NO salt, sugar, yeast, wheat gluten, or preservatives
  • Gluten-free
  • Vegan/Vegetarian
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What can you expect?

PepZinGI® provides effective, drug-free support to help maintain the health and integrity of your stomach lining, support gastrointestinal tissue health, and promote overall digestive health. Gentle enough for long-term daily use.*

How does it work?

The zinc-carnosine chelate in PepZinGI®is highly stable, which allows the nutrients to reside in the gastrointestinal tract for a longer period of time to help fortify the protective mucous membrane lining the stomach and intestines.*

How do you take it?

As a dietary supplement, take or chew one (1) tablet, twice daily with or without meals, or as directed by your healthcare practitioner.

Are there any precautions?

Consult your healthcare professional prior to use if you have or suspect a medical condition, are taking any medications, or are pregnant or nursing. As with all dietary supplements, keep out of reach of children.

What product quality control tests are performed?

PepZinGI®is manufactured in the United States (Oregon) in a state-of-the-art, FDA-registered facility that meets or exceeds current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP). Quality control tests are performed at every stage of the manufacturing process from rigorous raw material testing to finished product testing.

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Plant sterols help block cholesterol absorption in the small intestine to support overall cardiovascular health and cholesterol balance.

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Phytosterols Immediate Release (IR) is ideal for adults interested in heart health, and men interested in prostate and urinary tract health.*

Phytosterols IR features immediate-release delivery, a key advantage for heart health. When taken as directed, Phytosterols IR delivers plant sterols that enter the intestine before cholesterol in food, where they are primed to help block the absorption of cholesterol into the body.*

Phytosterols IR also has targeted benefits for men’s health to support urinary tract health, urinary flow, and prostate health.*

**Foods and supplements containing at least 400 mg per serving of plant sterols, eaten twice a day with meals for a daily total intake of at least 800 mg, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease. A serving of Phytosterols IR supplies 450 mg of phytosterols.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What can you expect?

Phytosterols IR provides nutritional support for both men and women for overall heart health. For men, Phytosterols IR also provides targeted support for prostate and urinary tract health.*

How does it work?

Phytosterols IR may help reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering elevated total and LDL (“bad”) blood cholesterol, which are key risk factors for heart disease. For men, Phytosterols IR provides a clinically effective amount of phytosterols shown to promote optimal urinary tract health, urinary flow, and prostate health.*

How do you take it?

Take one (1) tablet at the beginning of a meal, twice daily, or as directed by your healthcare professional.

Are there any precautions?

Consult your healthcare professional prior to use if you have or suspect a medical condition, are taking any medications, or are pregnant or nursing. As with all dietary supplements, keep out of reach of children.

What product quality control tests are performed?

Phytosterols IR is manufactured in the United States (Oregon) in a state-of-the-art, FDA-registered facility that meets or exceeds current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP). Quality control tests are performed at every stage of the manufacturing process from rigorous raw material testing to finished product testing.

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