Did you know that at least 50% of children under five years suffer from vitamin deficiencies? This problem continues into adulthood as 92% of Americans experience at least one vitamin or mineral deficiency.
If you or your loved ones need to
boost your health, you’re probably considering buying vitamins online or from a
store. But with so many options available, it’s hard to know which ones to
take.
You can even get more confused as
there are a lot of myths and misconceptions about vitamins. As a result, you
may end up making common vitamin buying mistakes.
To make buying vitamins easier,
we’ve compiled a list of 10 mistakes and how to avoid them. Keep reading to
learn more about the common pitfalls when buying your vitamins.
1.
Not Seeking Your Doctor's Approval
While vitamins are generally safe,
it's important to speak with a medical professional before starting any new
supplement regimen. Consulting a doctor is especially vital if you have a
preexisting health condition. Otherwise, you could be putting your health at
risk.
Additionally, certain vitamins can
interact with medications you may be taking. So it's best to err on the side of
caution and get the green light from your doctor before starting anything new.
Simply schedule a quick appointment
with your doctor before making any major changes to your diet or supplement
routine. The doctor can help you determine whether the vitamins you're taking
are right for you and ensure they won't interact with any medications you're
on.
The doctor's advice is especially
vital when looking for prescription prenatal vitamins
like CitraNatal B-Calm. These vitamins minimize pregnancy-related nausea and
provide nutritional support for both mother and child. However, you should only
take them under the care of a doctor to ensure they're the right fit for you.
2.
Not Checking Online Customer Reviews
Online customer reviews can alert
you to any potential side effects or issues with the vitamin. For example, if
many people say they experienced nausea after taking a vitamin, it's probably
not the best choice for you.
When buying vitamins online, you
should pay attention to the vitamin store website. If there are no online
customer reviews, that's a major red flag. The company is likely trying to hide
something.
You also need to ensure that the
website is secure. You don't want to risk your personal data by paying to a
website that's vulnerable to hacking. If the website has outlandish claims
about curing serious diseases, that's another reason to be wary.
The best way to avoid this mistake
is to only buy vitamins from reputable online stores with many positive
reviews. Make sure to read the customer reviews before making a purchase.
3.
Not Comparing Vitamin Prices
With so many options for vitamins on
the market, it can be tempting to purchase the first brand you see. However,
vitamin prices can vary widely. Taking the time to compare products can save
you significant money in the long run.
When it comes to vitamins, you
usually get what you pay for. This doesn't mean you have to break the bank to
get a good quality vitamin. But it does mean that you should know how prices
compare between different brands.
Don’t just go with the first vitamin
store website you find. Instead, take the time to visit several websites and
compare the prices of the vitamins you’re interested in. This way, you’ll be
sure to find the best deal.
4.
Not Taking Vitamins as Directed
When taking vitamins, it's important
to follow the directions on the bottle. This precaution may seem like common
sense, but you'd be surprised how many people don't do it.
Taking more or less of a vitamin
than directed can lead to serious side effects. For example, taking too much
vitamin A can cause liver damage while
taking too little vitamin D can lead to bone loss.
Additionally, you need to take many
vitamins with food to ensure your body properly absorbs them. So if you're not
taking them as directed, you may not be getting all of the benefits they have
to offer.
To avoid this mistake, take your
vitamins as directed. If you're unsure how to take them, ask your doctor or
pharmacist.
5.
Not Reading the Ingredients List
While it may seem like a hassle,
taking the time to read the list of ingredients can help you avoid wasting your
money on vitamins that don't contain what they claim. Understanding the
ingredients will also help you avoid potential allergies or side effects.
For example, if you're allergic to
seafood, you'll want to avoid vitamins that contain fish oil. And if you're
pregnant, you'll want to avoid vitamin A supplements.
Some ingredients can be harmful if
taken in large quantities. For example, many vitamins contain large amounts of
sugar or artificial sweeteners. These can contribute to weight gain and other
health problems.
By reading the ingredients list, you
can ensure you get what you expect from your vitamin supplement. Furthermore,
you can prevent potential health risks by avoiding products that contain
harmful ingredients.
6.
Not Checking the Expiration Date
You may not realize it, but vitamins
have an expiration date. This is the date after which the vitamin will no
longer be effective.
Vitamins can lose potency over time,
so taking expired vitamins is a waste of money. Not checking the expiration
date before taking a vitamin could mean you're not getting all the benefits you
expect. It could also lead to side effects if you take expired vitamins.
Always check the expiration date
before taking a vitamin supplement. If the vitamin has expired, don't take it.
Remember to store your vitamins in a cool, dry place to help them stay fresh
for longer.
7.
Not Buying in Bulk
If you take vitamins regularly, it
can be cheaper to buy them in bulk. You'll have a supply on hand, and you won't
have to worry about running out.
Most vitamin stores offer discounts
when you purchase multiple bottles of the same product. So if you know you'll
need more than one bottle, it's worth buying in bulk.
Of course, you'll need to ensure
that you have enough storage space for the vitamins. And you'll also want to
check the expiration date before buying in bulk. But if you can make it work,
buying vitamins in bulk can save you money in the long run.
8.
Disregarding Health Warnings and Recalls
Counterfeit vitamins could harm you
or not provide you with health benefits. This is why you should always look for
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) health warnings and recalls.
The FDA and other health authorities
regularly issue health warnings about specific products that may be harmful.
They also recall products
that don't meet their safety standards. The FDA also gives warnings about
vitamins that may be contaminated.
Ignoring these warnings and recalls
could put your health at risk. So it's important to stay up-to-date on the
latest information about your vitamins.
You can do this by checking the
website of the FDA or your country's health authority. They will usually post
any warnings or recalls for vitamin supplements. You can sign up for email or
text alerts to receive updates about recalled products.
9.
Not Knowing What You Need
You may be tempted to buy vitamins
randomly by making assumptions about the supplements you need. However, this
could be a mistake.
For example, you may assume you need
more vitamin C during the winter to avoid getting sick. But according to the
National Institutes of Health (NIH), there is no evidence that taking extra
vitamin C prevents colds.
Before you start taking any vitamin
supplement, it's important to do your research. Ask yourself whether you have a
deficiency or whether there are benefits to taking the supplement.
You can talk to your doctor or a
dietitian to get their professional opinion. They can help you figure out if
you need to take any vitamin supplements and, if so, which ones would be best
for you.
10.
Getting Carried Away By Trends
Nowadays, it seems like there's a
new trend or fad diet every week. And when it comes to vitamins and
supplements, it can be tempting to jump on the latest bandwagon to boost your
health.
However, this is often a mistake.
Just because a vitamin is popular on social media doesn't mean it's right for
you. Some vitamins may even be harmful if you take them without knowing what
they do.
Trends come and go, but your health
is always important. That's why it's crucial to do your research before buying
any supplement, rather than blindly following a trend. See if scientific
evidence supports the claims about the vitamin.
Ask your doctor for advice, and pick
a reputable brand. Only then can you be sure that you're getting the most bang
for your buck and that you're not just following a fad.
Avoid
the Common Vitamin Buying Mistakes
Making these common vitamin buying
mistakes could be costly and dangerous for your health. So it's important to be
informed and cautious when buying vitamins. Follow our tips on avoiding these
mistakes, and you'll be on your way to getting the most out of your
supplements.
If you’re looking for more helpful
tips, browse the rest of our blog.
