5 Tips for Choosing the Right Health and Wellness Products

We all want to live healthy lives. Some struggle more than others, but the truth is that most have room for improvement. Research shows that what we consume has much to do with our health. The food we eat, the liquids we drink and the substances we consume regularly significantly impact our well-being. 

Even when best efforts are employed, it is not always possible to consume all the nutrients and micronutrients required every day. Often, we need help to ensure that we're getting everything we need, which is one of the primary reasons the health and wellness industry is booming.

There is a product or supplement for almost every concern, and most of us purchase some form of these products at one time or another. If you're thinking of supplementing your diet or using a health product to improve a particular health and wellness concern, there are a few things to consider.

1. Understand whether you even need a supplement

The most important is to understand that random selection should not be an option, nor is haphazard treatment if you're looking to get results for your money and not just produce expensive urine.

A good starting point is to list your top three to five health and wellness concerns and always discuss these with your doctor. This is particularly vital if you're taking any chronic medication as herbal remedies. Many over-the-counter supplements can interfere with the efficacy of your medicines – either weakening or strengthening their effects.

Most people are under the impression that anything their body doesn't use will just be expelled in their urine, but certain supplements like iron can cause serious health issues if you don't need it. Even seemingly innocuous supplements like collagen can have undesirable side effects that one may not immediately associate with their consumption. These may include constipation or diarrhoea, bloating, heartburn and skin rashes, amongst others. Additives to these products can contribute to these side effects.

Most modern healthcare professionals are open to discussing supplementation and whether it is beneficial in treating your health concerns. They will also guide you on what is worth investing in, when to take them, and the side effects, if any, they may cause.

2. Do your research

Once you understand which supplements to take, you'll be presented with various brands with different quality, ingredients, dosages and price points. Again, your healthcare professional can guide you. Still, if you're doing this alone, you'll need to do quite a bit of reading to understand the differences in manufacturing processes and dosages required. Other things to consider, should these types of things play a role in your purchasing decisions, may be whether the substances used are natural or synthetic, ethically sourced and whether animal testing is conducted in their manufacture.

Most brands include this information on their websites along with their years in operation, certifications, testing and quality standards. Cruelty-free brands will bear the Cruelty-Free Leaping Bunny logo, but these should still be cross-checked against the website's cruelty-free list to ensure the brand is accredited.

3. Consider the ingredients

Some supplements contain solely the required ingredient, while others have additives, preservatives or other substances added to boost their efficacy, price or both. Simply put, sometimes additional substances are beneficial, and sometimes they are just a marketing gimmick.

It is essential to understand which supplements require multiple ingredients to boost absorption or benefits and which don't. Again, this requires time and research, but it is best discussed with a healthcare professional who understands what is beneficial and what isn't. Paying for the consultation can save you so much time and money in the long run.

4. Learn from others' experience

Reading independent user reviews of products can also help you understand people's experiences with them over time, as well as any common side effects, product issues or changes. While this may be time-consuming, it is worth it ensuring that your money is wisely spent and that you get the best possible health benefits from the products you purchase.

Social media is often another place where you'll find user feedback. However, it is essential to remember that many influencers are affiliates who earn commissions for referrals. Some will genuinely believe in the products they promote, while others may be in it for the money. It is worth following an influencer for an extended period to judge which type of affiliate they are, although it still may be challenging to tell. You can also visit YouTube, as many popular reviews also have user comments that can be helpful.

5. It's not all about price

Another factor to consider is price, and the level of spending your budget allows. This can be tricky regarding health and wellness supplements, as products with the same ingredients and dosages often have wildly different price points.

Just because a supplement is expensive doesn't make it the best. Health and wellness is a lucrative industry, and marketing comes into play in a significant way. Consider the packaging (often the most expensive aspect) – are you just paying for the fancier, more colourful box and possibly the unique bottle design? We're all attracted to beautiful things, but should it matter when it comes to our supplements? If you're not on a budget, then fine, but if you are, and the ingredients and dosages are the same, why pay the extra for something that will probably not be on display in your home? Instead, spend the extra money on something that makes you happy.

Whether a product is locally made or imported also affects pricing. There is no fixed rule on what is best, but it is crucial to understand that supplements are generally not subject to extensive testing and standards in most countries. If so, should you pay more just because something travelled further?

Extensive research, common sense and consulting with your healthcare professional are all integral parts of ensuring that you need a supplement for a particular concern and, if you do, selecting the best possible one at the right price. This way, you'll enjoy the full benefits of the health and wellness products you choose.

References

1. Main image: Photo by Madara on Unsplash