Americans spend billions of dollars each year on vitamins and supplements, hoping to improve everything from heart health to sleep.
But with thousands of products available in stores and online, figuring out which ones are worth taking can be confusing.
Dr. Frederick Chaleff, a board-certified interventional cardiologist and CEO of Scimera MD, says consumers should research supplements carefully before adding them to their daily routines.
“It’s a big industry and there are a lot of individuals and companies making supplements,” Chaleff said. “You have to have independent testing of the end result.”
Look beyond the label
Chaleff said the quality of supplements can vary widely between brands, making it important to know not only what a product claims to contain but also where its ingredients came from and how they were handled.
“Knowing the chain of raw material, where it came from, and how it’s handled — all that makes a huge difference,” he said.
Chaleff recommends looking for products that undergo independent testing, which can help verify that what is listed on the label is actually in the product.
Consumers can also look for GMP certification. GMP stands for Good Manufacturing Practices, a set of standards designed to help ensure products are manufactured consistently and safely.
“You can just take a little time and look at where it’s manufactured and do research on that facility,” Chaleff said.
If consumers cannot find information about where or how a supplement is manufactured, Chaleff said he would avoid it.
“I wouldn’t touch that,” he said.
Local 10 visited Florida Supplement, the manufacturing facility where Chaleff’s Scimera supplements are produced, for a closer look at the manufacturing process.
“When we developed the line, we made sure to find a manufacturer that followed all the guidelines, like Florida Supplement,” Chaleff said.
Supplements aren’t one-size-fits-all
For people considering adding a supplement to their routine, Chaleff said the first question should be what they are trying to accomplish.
The conversation should take into account a person’s overall health, including diet, exercise and individual wellness goals.
While supplements can help fill nutritional gaps, Chaleff said they shouldn’t be viewed as a replacement for healthy habits.
“Technically, if you can eat all the food groups when you’re supposed to, theoretically you shouldn’t need a supplement,” Chaleff said. “But in reality, that’s not what happens.”
Before starting a new vitamin or supplement, consumers should research the product carefully and talk with their doctor about what may be appropriate for their individual needs.
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