Are Your Supplements Safe?

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Did you know that Americans spend over 30 billion dollars a year on supplements? This is something that we should be applauding and concerned about all at the same time…

Many health-conscious people try to steer clear from the pharmaceutical industry and lean towards supplementation as a “safer” option, but unfortunately the supplement market is not regulated and this is causing some major cracks to start forming in the industry. It’s really a catch 22. 
 
Recent reports have revealed that over 850 products out in the market today (including appetite suppressants, laxatives, muscle relaxants, anti-anxiety drugs, anti-inflammatories) have ingredients in them that are illegal, hidden and banned pharmaceutical drugs.

Just when you thought you were doing the right thing… you might have actually been consuming products that contain DMAA - an ingredient banned in the US that has been linked to strokes, heart failure and in extreme cases sudden death.

What’s also worrying is that Federal Researchers claim that supplements are causing over 23,000 emergency visits Nationwide annually, and 2,000 of those are resulting in hospitalization.

So What Can We Do To Stay Safe?

There are two things that we use as a general guide with supplements:

1. Go Natural

There is a place for synthetic supplementation when trying to cure a specific health problem, but if you are using the supplements for a daily health boost, we recommend sticking to organic, natural and reputable brands. Not sure where to start? Check out our Supplement Buying Guide.

2. Get Scientific Evidence

Don’t trust marketing claims without finding the facts first. This might take a bit of detective work on your part, but it’s well worth it in the end! If a brand of supplements is making some magical health claims (e.g. rapid weight loss) make sure you spend some time digging deep for the evidence to back up their claims. If it sounds too good to be true, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it’s likely that it is and could be costing your health!

Why Supplement Safely?

When used correctly supplementation is a great essential health-booster that can fill nutritional gaps and protect our bodies against the occasional diet slip up. In today’s world that is forever getting busy and stress levels are constantly on the rise, our nutrition can often get neglected.

We like to think of supplements are our “natural health insurance.” There’s nothing like a diet rich in vitamins and minerals from wholesome and natural foods, but sadly nutrient levels in our soil are drastically being depleted and leading to a population of “malnourished” people. By topping up our daily nutrient intake with wholesome and natural supplements, it might be just what our bodies require to stay in optimal health.

Want To Know More About What Supplements To Buy?

Explore our Supplement Buying Guide. We’ve taken the guesswork out of navigating through the confusing world of supplements and compiled a comprehensive guide to help you stay safe and healthy. It highlights what you need to look out for, the questions you should be asking, and even provides a few of our favorite top-picks for everyday thriving health.

Take the stress out of cooking with 21-days of guided meal plans, shopping lists, and nutrition support. You’ll find all of this, and more, in our signature Clean Eating Program.