More than half of American adults take vitamins, minerals, or other nutritional supplements. Some of those products aren’t especially helpful or safe just because they claim to be “all natural.” Here’s another fact, did you know the FDA doesn’t approve or test the safety or effectiveness of any supplement sold in the country before it enters the market.” Source, Washington Post. The FDA typically learns of problems with a product only after it’s in stores.
Supplements are taken by mouth and contain a “dietary ingredient,” such as vitamins, minerals, herbs and botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, probiotics, antioxidants, or other nutrients. Today they are available in numerous forms, including capsules, gummies, powders, and liquids. These dietary supplements are marketed as an efficient way to boost either your physical or mental health, ( or both, in some cases). Still, a key point to make when talking about dietary supplements is that they’re designed to supplement, not replace — your balanced diet. So even if you’re taking supplements, it’s still essential to consume a varied and healthy diet. So when it comes to knowing the difference between medical supplements versus over the counter ones, the answer is the over the counter ones that you buy at shops or online are typically not regulated.
OTC Supplements
These supplements often use synthetic forms of vitamins. Medical Grade supplements typically contain the best forms of vitamins that make sure that your body is getting the most effective and natural form of the vitamin. Over the counter ones generally have lower concentrations of the product. Also, many supplement brands don’t list the exact ingredients on their label. Instead they spend a fortune on marketing and paying for celebrity endorsements rather than focusing on the research, science and quality of the product. We know that supplement companies spend millions marketing their products. But it isn’t the size and scale of their operation that drives success, it’s their messaging because they sell a vision.
The Food and Drug Administration does not evaluate the effectiveness, safety, or quality of dietary supplements. Meaning there is no guarantee the product contains what it claims to. While the FDA requires supplement manufacturers to adhere to Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP), which are intended to ensure the quality and safety of these products, compliance is not always enforced.
Medical Grade Supplements
Medical grade supplements are manufactured to the same standards as pharmaceutical drugs unlike over the counter ones. They are the highest quality supplements available and meet pharmaceutical standards. Pharmaceutical supplements have a requirement that they must be absorbed into the body within an hour of ingestion.. Also, ingredients listed on the label must match the product in the container. This means you know exactly what you’re getting with this type of supplement. All raw ingredients are tested to make sure that toxins are removed from the product before they are ready to be sold.
Purchasing The Best Supplements For You
Now that you understand the difference between store-grade over the counter supplements and medical grade pharmaceutical supplements, you can make a safe and more informed decision for your health. At Zinnia Aesthetics & Anti Aging, in Fairfax VA, our medical director Anteneh Roba MD can help personally choose the best supplements for your health.
Interested in learning more specifically on Dietary Supplements, have a look here
References: https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2023/03/06/nutritional-supplements-red-flags/
