Choosing the right supplements, whether for bone growth and strength or otherwise, can be confusing considering the wide array of brands and prices on the market.

Ultimately, you want to know that whatever supplement you choose will be safe and effective for you and your family. We've listed factors you should consider in selecting supplements that deliver on these important criteria.

Testing and Certified Facilities

Testing and certification by independent, third-party organizations provide assurances that these supplements meet strict quality standards. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) isn't involved in regulating dietary supplements, which is why you don't find an FDA approved stamp on them. 

But the FDA is involved in a different way, via Current Good Manufacturing Processes (cGMPs); formal regulations established by the FDA that are contained in statutes and agency policies.

According to the balance.com, cGMPs “concern the design, monitoring, and control of manufacturing processes and facilities. The addition of ‘current’ reminds manufacturers that they must employ current technologies and systems in order to be in compliance with the regulations.” Furthermore:

"The FDA requires medication manufacturers to adhere to these regulations which provide assurance of a drug's product's identity, strength, quality, and purity. Some pharmaceutical manufacturers have established quality and risk management systems that exceed the minimum cGMP stands."

For these reasons, BoneScience’s products, including Dr’s Grow UP, are only manufactured in a facility that meets cGMP standards. These standards are monitored and enforced by the FDA, according to thebalance.com:

“Adhering to the cGMPs requires manufacturers to establish quality management systems, obtain high-quality raw materials, establish operating procedures, detect and investigate potential problems with product quality, and maintain reliable testing laboratories. The FDA has the regulatory authority to inspect drug manufacturing facilities plants for compliance with cGMPs.”

The cGMP badge is a trustworthy indicator of government-regulated safe manufacturing and adherence to quality standards.

Consumers should also be cautious of supplements that are manufactured outside the United States of America. They may not be subject to the same regulations and could even contain toxic ingredients.

In order to protect our products’ purity and safety levels, BoneScience’s supplements are all manufactured in the USA.

Ingredients

Check supplements’ labels for a list of active ingredients, which nutrients they contain, and the serving sizes. Another consideration, especially for young people or the elderly, is the supplement’s composition — whether it’s in the form of an easy to swallow capsule, tablet, or packet.

Also, be sure and check out how many nutrients are contained in each serving, which could impact how much value you’re receiving relative to the price.

According to thebalance.com, “MayoClinic.com recommends avoiding supplements that provide megadoses” — i.e., containing many times the recommended Daily Value — and “The general rule of thumb is to choose a vitamin supplement that provides 100 percent of the Daily Value.”

Guarantees

Be wary of products that over-promise – such as claiming they can “cure” a disease or have money back guarantees. When supplements come with claims that sound too good to be true, they probably are.

Sometimes on dietary supplement websites or packaging you’ll see the disclaimer:

“These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.”

Although this disclaimer might look a little suspect to you, it’s actually perfectly normal and required by the FDA.

Expiration Date

Always check expiration dates to make sure the supplement hasn’t expired. Supplements that are expired may have lost their effectiveness, or – even worse – cause negative side effects.

Since supplements have limited shelf lives, it’s important to take care of them once you purchase them.

Webmd.com writes, “Keep them in a dark, cool, dry place. Avoid bathrooms and other damp spots. Make sure you keep them on a high shelf or in a locked cabinet, out of children’s reach,” and, “Do a regular check of your stash and throw out any that are past their expiration date.”

Best Value vs. Best Quality

The expansion of the supplement market means that a vast selection of products is available from which to choose.

According to howstuffworks.com, “This has led some to seek the best value, not the best quality. A consumer should know that the grade, form, purity, bioavailability, and third-party verification all contribute to the effectiveness of the product they're ingesting.”

While all-natural ingredients can increase the price of a supplement, those containing them can be more effective. For example, howstuffworks.com says regarding vitamin E: “Natural vitamin E is absorbed better from the GI tract and is more active than its synthetic counterpart.”

Conclusion

Consumers should also be secure in knowing that the supplements they buy are free of impurities or toxic ingredients, such as pesticides, insecticides, lead, and mercury.

At BoneScience, we use only natural ingredients, tests our products, and monitors our supply chain to ensure our supplements are free of impurities and toxins.

Sometimes, quality comes at an extra cost, but the safety of you and your family — and the effectiveness of the supplements you buy — are priceless.

What is the most important criteria for you in selecting your vitamins and supplements? Let us know below.

References

Stone, K. (2019, June 25). FDA's Minimum Standards of Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs). Retrieved from https://www.thebalance.com/

Ratini, M. (2017, July 25). How to Evaluate Vitamins and Supplements. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/

PureHealthMD, the editors of. (2010, June 29). Determining Supplement Quality. Retrieved from https://health.howstuffworks.com/