Many times we find ourselves walking down the vitamin and supplement isle at our local corner grocery store. But should we buy these generic store supplements?
Lets take a look at 9 reasons why we should not buy generic branded supplements, and why.
1. Store supplements are not high quality extracts. Meaning its much weaker from the start. Low-quality ingredients in supplements can have several disadvantages. Low-quality ingredients may not contain the active compounds or nutrients in sufficient quantities or forms to produce the desired therapeutic effects. This can result in reduced efficacy of the supplement and may fail to deliver the intended health benefits.
2. Contamination. Low-quality ingredients and outdated extraction processes may not filter out toxins, and may be more prone to contamination with harmful substances such as heavy metals, pesticides, or microbes. Contaminated supplements can pose serious health risks and may cause adverse reactions or toxicity when consumed.
3. The MGs are very low. Making it even weaker. Low MGs may necessitate taking multiple doses or higher quantities of the supplement or medication to achieve the desired effect. This can increase the cost and inconvenience of treatment.
4. Old extraction methods for the curcuminoids mean low absorption rates. The most important part of turmeric. Low absorption rates mean that a significant portion of the supplement may pass through the digestive system without being absorbed into the bloodstream. As a result, the intended health benefits of the supplement may not be fully realized, leading to reduced efficacy.
5. Not gluten free. Try to buy gluten free supplements only. Gluten is the trigger for celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder characterized by an immune reaction to gluten in the small intestine. Consuming gluten leads to damage to the lining of the small intestine, resulting in malabsorption of nutrients, gastrointestinal symptoms, and long-term health complications.
6. Is it a Non GMO supplement? Or can the supplement contain genetically modified organisms? Many times generic supplements will not be GMO free.
7. Not vegan-friendly. You want to buy vegan supplements if you are vegan. Many store supplements are not vegan friendly.
8. Low quality ingredients. Generic supplements are made with low quality ingredients and outdated extraction processed with low absorption rates. Low-quality ingredients may not be formulated or processed in a way that optimizes absorption and bioavailability of nutrients or active compounds. This can limit the body’s ability to absorb and utilize the beneficial supplements, leading to no health benefits.
9. Not combining the right complimentary ingredients. For example turmeric should be paired with black pepper extract. Combining turmeric with black pepper can help increase the body’s ability to absorb the benefits of turmeric. Studies have demonstrated that combining turmeric with black pepper can significantly increase the bioavailability of curcumin by up to 2000%. This means that more curcumin reaches the bloodstream and is available for use by the body, leading to greater health benefits.
Piperine in black pepper inhibits certain enzymes in the liver and intestine that break down curcumin, allowing more of it to enter the bloodstream intact. This results in higher levels of curcumin being absorbed by the body, enhancing its therapeutic effects.