The Complete Guide to

Health Supplementsand Toxic Ingredients

Today’s Natural Health SupplementsWhen conversations about natural health supplements happen, it can be confusing. Why are these dietary supplements even necessary? Is our world really as toxic and contaminated as these companies claim? Why isn’t modern living healthy? What even is a natural health supplement, really?

The first step to understanding the truth behind modern living, natural supplements, and dietary nutrition is to understand what a natural health supplement is. A natural health supplement is a pill, tablet, capsule, or liquid that is ingested and contains vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids, or other similar substances.* Of course, there are supplements that are a combination of substances in one ingestible form.*

It is important to understand that these supplements are not substitutes for food.* They are intended to fill nutritional gaps and protect against dietary mistakes.* Supplements provide the body with much-needed nutrition, something that modern living cannot provide.*

The majority of available food is processed and pumped full of chemicals for ‘safety’ reasons.* The truth is that in modern life, convenience rules the dinner table instead of nutrition.

Processed foods are the king of convenience, filling American stomachs with frozen dinners and vegetables that aren’t in season.*

According to the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, processed foods are over 60% of the calories in the food bought in America.* The study that revealed this statistic was a nation-wide analysis of grocery purchases, meaning that the processed food epidemic is not contained to fast-food joints and vending machines.*

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Processed foods are low in nutrition, high in toxicity, and chock full of empty calories.* This is the biggest reason that natural health supplements are essential. Pollution, environmental contamination, chemical alteration, extended refrigeration, soil deficiencies, overheating, and over-processing all add to the toxicity of food in modern life.*

Often, by the time food arrives at its final destination, it has become devoid of all the vitamins and minerals that make it a healthy food in the first place.* Luckily, this is where natural supplements come in. They fill the nutritional gaps created by the processed foods people regularly consume.*

One thing people don’t connect to part of processing food is the way the soil, air, and water the food is given is processed too. The soil is supposed to be full of nutrients, but modern agriculture methods strip away these nutrients without replenishing them.* This depletion in the soil is causing the actual food itself to not have nutrients in it, even if it is organic.

The air and water on Earth are not spared by toxins. In fact, both the air and water are full of chemicals and unhealthy particles. Anywhere from 15 million to 22 million Americans may be drinking water that has lead in it.* The World Health Organization air pollution causes premature deaths by causing heart attacks and strokes.*

People can’t change the air they breathe or the water they drink. However, knowing what toxins are entering the body through both resources is important. This is because there are known health concerns that various pollutants can cause, but there are ways to prevent these toxins from causing these health concerns to turn into a real problem.

One of the preventative measures is taking supplements to keep the immune system in tip top shape as in addition to building the healthiest body possible. Healthy bodies can fight toxins better than sick bodies.

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The FDA does not regulate supplements in the same way it regulates medications.* The official FDA policy says “Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements… are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded… These firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products… to ensure they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.”* The use of adulterated in this context simply means unsafe or impure.

DSHEA is the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, which is the policy that manufacturers have to ensure that their supplements are safe, and do not need FDA approval to market.* It says that the FDA has to take action if DSHEA is violated, but unless something is reported, the FDA has no way of knowing if DSHEA is being violated or not.* Many consumers do not know what their supplements have in them or whether or not they’re actually safe because they trust that no marketed item would be harmful to them.

Due to the loose regulations that the FDA imposed on supplement manufacturers, they can create and market almost anything they want and call it a supplement. The FDA hardly ever sticks its nose into the supplement industry because of the loose regulations put into place by DSHEA.

Consumers are then left to the task of wading through the hundreds of supplements on the shelves of groceries, pharmacies, and general merchandise stores. There are plenty of horror stories attached to buying an unsafe supplement, from unknowingly consuming illegal amphetamines to taking something that doesn’t even have the supplement in it.*

The Impact of Loose Regulations in the Marketplace

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It is best to take the label claims with a grain of salt, as companies want to brag and often do not have any legitimate information backing their claims.*

It is important to remember that diet supplements are not replacements for actual food.* Supplements that claim they can replace food in the diet should be ignored.

These are more obvious red flags about the safety of a supplement, but there are unsafe supplements that are packaged to look like a legitimate and a quality product. Many supplements make claims that they use perfectly natural ingredients, or that the supplement is 100% natural. Natural is a dangerous word in the supplement industry.*

Natural is normally perceived as something superior and safe. Companies know this, and use it to their advantage. Instead of having to claim their product is safe when it may not be, they can claim it to be natural. Consumers often consider natural to mean safe. It is important to remember that in the world of supplements, natural does not equal safety.*

One fact that manufacturers are required to have on their label is a name and location of the manufacturer or distributor.* If a consumer is unsure of a supplement, marking down this information and researching the company is a profitable step to take to ensure safety.* The majority of people have a basic understanding of when a website isn’t legitimate or well made. Low-quality websites often do not connect to high-quality products.

There may be situations where a supplement may be safe and high-quality but not wise to take. If the user is pregnant or breastfeeding, taking prescription medication, or consuming other supplements, it is always a critical step to consult a doctor before beginning a supplement.* Some supplements may interact badly with other factors.*

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There are hundreds of supplements available to the interested buyer. There are so many options for supplements that it can be confusing to figure out what to even take. It is not made easier when a consumer walks into an aisle expecting different brands of Vitamin C but is faced with curcumin, resveratrol, and red clover instead.

A multivitamin is the first core supplement to invest in. There are options that range from children’s gummies to pills coated in something ridiculously disgusting. Multivitamins are a combination of different vitamins, but the combination and dose vary from brand to brand.

When choosing a multivitamin, getting one with a high dose is important. For example, adults should not purchase children’s multivitamins for themselves. Find a vitamin with a big punch and high-quality ingredients.* This is a more difficult task, but a few minutes of basic research and questions to pharmacists will simplify the process.

The multivitamin needs to contain iron, folic acid, vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin D, zinc, chromium, selenium, copper, and magnesium.*

The multivitamin is the base of the rest of the supplements. It forms the base level to build off of when choosing other supplements to take. This is the vitamin that fills in the nutritional gaps that inevitably form when eating food.

Vitamin C boosts the immune system and helps prevent chronic disease, helps develop healthy skin and is chock full of antioxidants.* Vitamin C is not produced in the body, but not having enough of it can lead to exhaustion, illness, and other problems.* Simply eating oranges and broccoli will not provide enough vitamin C to keep the body healthy.

The Powerful Reality About Core Daily Supplements

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Essential fatty acids are next on the core supplement list. These are often overlooked despite their importance to keeping joints, skin, and brains functioning at full capacity.* The three fatty acids that are used are EPA and DHA, which are fish and animal products, and ALA, a plant product.* The essential fatty acids are also used for boosting mood and increasing energy.

A multi-strain probiotic is the fourth and last of the core supplements suggested here. A probiotic introduces healthy bacteria into the digestive system. The digestive system is supposed to home over 1,000 varying bacteria but with the modern lifestyle, many of these get thrown out of balance.*

It may seem counterintuitive that ingesting bacteria is at all beneficial, but it is.The digestive system depends on those thousands of bacteria to help absorb nutrition, fight disease, and reduce common allergies. With the number of toxic foods and antibiotics people ingest, the balance of bacteria gets destroyed, and serious health problems can ensue.* Taking the probiotic rebalances bacteria.

These are all critical supplements to take for maximizing nutrition and getting ull benefits. However, another curveball is thrown into the supplemental world.Almost all supplements come in a natural form, but they are also produced artificially, into a synthetic version.

Synthetic vitamins are not the way to go. They are made up from chemicals and attempt to mimic the vitamin or mineral it is trying to replace.* Synthetic vitamins are called ‘isolated’, which means that are missing transporters and co-factors, and they also are missing all trace minerals and other resources available in the natural vitamin.*

Sometimes, the human body can’t even use the synthetic vitamins, and the body definitely will not recognize synthetic vitamins the same way it recognizes natural ones.*

Finding natural vitamins can provide another challenge, given that 95% of the vitamins on the market are synthetic.* The artificial chemicals in synthetic vitamins almost completely eliminate any of the potential benefits.

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Due to the loose regulations on supplements, there are a great many dangerous ingredients added to them. Often these ingredients aren’t necessary and are usually there to help with marketing purposes.* These fillers range from safe but unnecessary to dangerous and unnecessary.*

You can find these additives on the on the labels of supplements under the ‘Other Ingredients’ or ‘Inactive Ingredients’ headings.* Often these are cheap substances used as binders to hold a tablet’s shape or as fillers to speed up production.* Other times these ingredients are used as ways to try and market the supplement. This includes adding artificial colors to make the supplement aesthetically appealing and putting a coating on the supplement to make consumption easier.*

These fillers are especially used in synthetic supplements but they can be found in natural ones as well. Supplements with unnecessary artificial fillers are akin to processed foods—very unhealthy.*

Below is a list of some ingredients that are dangerous and should be avoided at all costs:

AconiteThis is used by modern day hunters to paralyze and kill animals as large as whales. Aconite causes weakness, dizziness, numb limbs, tingling, paralysis, and death.*

Artificial colorsThese are not only completely unnecessary, they’re linked not only to hyperactivity in children but cancer as well. Some are created from coal tar, which is also used in roofing, paints, and outdoor sealants.*

Bitter OrangeOften used to replace ephedra, which was banned by the FDA in 2004. There is no proof that it is any better than ephedra. It also contains synephrine, which is banned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Bitter Orange, when combined with caffeine, is known to cause a serious spike in heart rate and blood pressure.*

Caffeine PowderCan cause seizures, cardiac arrest, and even death. It is especially dangerous to take this with other stimulants.*

How Dangerous Supplements Can Damage Your Health

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ChaparralThis plant is banned in Canada as an herbal remedy. It is known to be toxic to the liver and kidneys.*

ComfreyComfrey is a plant that contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are proven to be associated with both liver and kidney toxicity. The United States Department of Agriculture banned comfrey for internal use, yet it still is used internally.*

Colloidal SilverThis is silver particles suspended in a liquid base. Although it has promise as being a safe topical ingredient under a doctor’s direction, it is very risky to use orally. It can cause permanent discoloration of the skin, turning it blue-gray. It also can prevent the body from using any other drugs, including things like antibiotics.*

ColtsfootColtsfoot is banned in some countries due to its mutagenic properties and because it causes spikes in blood pressure and liver toxicity.* GermanderHepatitis, liver damage, and possible death are all side effects of Germander.*

GermaniumIn 1993, the FDA warned against using geranium due to its known association with causing kidney damage and death.* Greater CelandineKnown to be linked to hepatitis, rashes, and allergies.*

Green Tea Extract PowderThis reduces the body’s ability to absorb iron, as well as spiking heart rate and blood pressure and causing liver damage and possible death.*

Hydrogenated OilHydrogenated soybean oil is commonly found in supplements. Hydrogenated oils of any kind are linked to heart problems, nervous system problems, upset blood sugar regulation, strokes, and blocking the absorption of fatty acids.*

KavaIn 2002, the FDA warned against using Kava. It is banned in Germany, Switzerland, and Canada due to Kava causing liver damage.*

LobeliaCauses nausea and vomiting, hypothermia, seizures, coma, and death.*

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MethylsynephrineIn addition to causing abnormalities with heart rhythm, it can cause heart attacks.*

Pennyroyal OilThis causes nerve damage, convulsions, and can cause liver and kidney failure.*

Red Yeast RiceThis causes problems with the kidneys, muscles, liver, and hair loss.*

St. John’s WortThis plant is probably not toxic when used on its own. However, it can cause other medications to fail completely. This includes causing birth control to stop working and ending up with an unwanted pregnancy, as well as interacting with anti-rejection medications used for organ transplants. The organs ended up rejected after St. John’s Wort nullified the effects of the anti-rejection medication.*

Usnic AcidThis can cause extensive liver damage.*

YohimbeThere is a long list of serious effects of this ingredient, including increased blood pressure and heart rate, headaches, seizures, panic attacks, problems with the liver and kidneys, cardiac arrest, and death.*

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The Truth About Turmeric CurcuminTurmeric is an aromatic and bitter spice that is typically found in Indian cuisine.* Turmeric itself is a type of plant, and gets its yellow color due to a natural substance called curcumin.*

Curcumin aids in turmeric’s plethora of healing properties, mainly considered to be used for liver treatments.*

Oregon State published a detailed breakdown on curcumin.* This breakdown states the curcumin is not absorbed properly and quickly metabolized when taken orally, which makes it relatively safe.*

Curcumin stimulates bile production in the gallbladder, which the liver proceeds to use to eliminate the toxins it’s faced with.* This process allows curcumin to detoxify the liver.* Due to this behavior, a variety of turmeric ‘cleanses’ have popped up around the internet and other health resources.*

However, it is important to note that the American Cancer Society says that while turmeric is proven safe to be used in low doses, such as a spice, it is not necessarily safe to be taken in large doses. Taking too much turmeric can lead to stomach pain, indigestion, nausea, and potentially allergic reactions.*

The Truth You Need to Know About Turmeric, Curcumin, and Other Health Supplements

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Turmeric juice cleanses are one of the cleanses to hit the health community. An example of one of these cleanses is the WatchFit 3 day turmeric juice cleanse.*

Like the title states, the cleanse lasts for a period of three days.* For these three days, the cleanser is not supposed to consume anything except water with lemon juice and the turmeric juice.* Depending on which day of the cleanse you’re on, different vegetables are used to add to the turmeric juice.* These include ginger root, celery, cucumber, romaine lettuce, and carrots.

With the WatchFit turmeric juice cleanse, you drinking the turmeric juice six times a day in two-hour increments, starting at 9 AM and ending at 7PM.* Permission is granted to eat if you feel it is necessary, but the diet is restricted to organic, raw vegetables. As with any sort of juice cleanse, it is important to not attempt the cleanse if you are busy or stressed.*

The cleanse above claims to imbue users with new strength and vitality from the turmeric.*

Some of the other health benefits attributed to turmeric include:• Cancer prevention• Anti-aging properties• Reduced inflammation• Improved strength to joints and soft tissues• Boosted immune system• Reduced risk of heart disease or stroke• Lower blood sugar and reduce insulin resistance• Preventing and treating depression• Preventing Alzheimer’s and improve general cognitive function• Improving digestive health

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The Truth About CoQ10Turmeric is not the only health supplement to boast impressive benefits. CoQ10 is a lesser known supplement, although it shouldn’t be. CoQ10 is also known as Q10, Vitamin Q10, ubiquinone, or ubidecarenone.* It is a coenzyme (sometimes called a cofactor) that improves overall cell function and power, especially in the heart, liver, and kidneys.*

CoQ10 aids the mitochondria of cells in producing even more cells and improves energy transfer, which improves the quality of life for the user.* CoQ10 also works in the blood, where it works on preventing and repairing damage to blood vessels, clearing out the plaque buildup in the arteries and heart, and generally improving circulation.*

Some illnesses deplete the body’s store of CoQ10. These include depression, migraines, and Parkinson’s disease.* People who suffer from these diseases are encouraged to take CoQ10 as a supplement, and not just because they lack the normal amount.* Consistent use of a CoQ10 supplement is proven to decrease the prevalence of migraines, decrease symptoms of fibromyalgia, improve the symptoms of both Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease, and reduces the chances of heart attacks.*

People who take prescription medication for extended periods of time will sometimes experience long-term side effects on their body. CoQ10 has the capacity to reduce these side effects, specifically on the heart, muscles, and internal organs.*

Due to the amount of success CoQ10 has in other areas of cardiovascular health, it is often recommended for people who have just suffered from a heart attack.* In addition, it has shown to improve exercise capacity in people who have had a heart attack.* However, it is critical to discuss starting this supplement with a doctor before starting it, especially if cardiovascular problems are a concern.*

For men, CoQ10 has been shown to improve virility and increase testosterone production, and with increasing the ability of the body to heal muscles after damage.*

Like all medications and supplements, CoQ10 has some potential side effects. Taking 100 mg and over has the potential to bring on mild insomnia, and for people who take 300 mg for extended periods have increased liver enzymes.*

Luckily, there is no liver toxicity associated with taking CoQ10 supplementation.* Other side effects that may occur include rash, nausea, dizziness, irritability, headaches, heartburn, fatigue, upper abdominal pain, and sensitivity to light.*

For direct supplementation, the most common dosages are 90 mg — 200 mg.*

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The Truth About Vitamin DVitamin D is often associated with sunlight and bone health. Vitamin D actually unable to be used by the body in its original form, whether it be supplements, the sun, or food.* To be usable by the human body, Vitamin D first must go through the liver, where it turns into calcidiol.* The second step is for the calcidiol to go through the kidneys, where it is turned into calcitriol, which the body can use.*

Consumption of Vitamin D promotes the gut’s ability to absorb calcium as well as improve bone health, which is often why Vitamin D is used to fortify milk.* Naturally, there are few foods that contain Vitamin D.* These include fatty fish, such as salmon and tuna, fish liver oils, and some cheeses and egg yolks.* However, there is plenty of food on the market that is fortified with Vitamin D, including milk, some breakfast cereal, and orange juice.*

Vitamin D is also absorbed through the skin from direct contact with the UV radiation from the sun.* The specific form of UV radiation that provides Vitamin D is between the wavelengths of 290 and 320 nanometers.* This radiation cannot penetrate cloud cover, shade, clothing, sunblock, or glass, meaning that it is only absorbable through direct contact with uncovered skin.* However, extensive exposure to UV radiation is a carcinogen, and the one directly responsible for the majority of skin cancer cases in the United States.*

Taking supplemental Vitamin D can be a smart choice. Supplemental Vitamin D comes in two varieties, either D2 (or ergocalciferol) and D3 (cholecalciferol).* In nutritional doses, there appears to be no difference between the two forms.* However, in large doses, it appears that D2 is less potent than D3.*

Vitamin D deficiency is a fairly common situation, especially so for people who are lactose intolerant, ovo-vegetarian, vegan, the elderly, breast-fed infants, people who have had gastric bypass surgery, and people with darker skin.* However, anyone can become Vitamin D deficient.*

This can be due to a lowered intake, minimal exposure to the sun, the kidneys failing to convert calcidiol into calcitriol, or the digestive tract failing to absorb Vitamin D at the regular rate.*

A Vitamin D deficiency can cause rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults.* Rickets causes soft bones and skeletal deformities.* Luckily, cases of rickets in the United States are fairly rare.* Osteomalacia is a fancy way of saying weak bones.* It is often paired with bone pain and muscle weakness.*

The best way to ensure that you are getting enough Vitamin D is to take a daily supplement. However, make sure to only take the suggested dose. Taking too much Vitamin D can cause Vitamin D toxicity.* Vitamin D toxicity causes heart arrhythmias, damage to the heart, kidneys, and blood vessels, anorexia, weight loss, and polyuria.*

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The Truth About CandidaCandida is a systemic fungal infection* and an intestinal pathogen.* According to a study done by Rice University, 70% of the world population has Candida, and most don’t even know it.* It has the potential to cause death, especially in people who have weak immune systems, such as AIDS patients.* There are a wide variety of symptoms to suggest a Candida infection, and they all are associated with a variety of other diseases.*

Due to this, Candida is highly under-diagnosed. Some things to look out for include:

• Bad breath• Bloating, gas, and indigestion• Constipation or diarrhea• Fatigue• Insomnia• Mood swings• Painful and swollen joints• Difficulty concentrating or remembering things• Sexual failure

These are all symptoms seen in a plethora of other medical problems.* However, they are most likely going to improve to some extent if the body is treated for Candida, even if that is not what they originate from.*

Candida is so common because modern lifestyles include consumption of drugs, antibiotics, processed junk foods, and poor health choices overall.* An antifungal drug is not recommended to treat Candida because it adds excessive chemicals and drugs to the body during a time when they should be reduced.* Candida can easily be treated using a Candida cleanse.*

Cleanses typically bring to mind liquid diets, juicing obscure ingredients, or fasting altogether. This is completely unnecessary in the Candida cleanse, and will force the digestive system to be hard at work.* Candida cleanses focus on making the digestive system work as little as possible.*

It may seem that juices or fasting would help that, but the body is not designed to survive off of juice and the stomach expects solid food regularly. This is why the best way to do a Candida cleanse is to eat only salads and vegetables for a few days, with the option to consume eggs for protein.*

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After the body goes through the cleanse, it is important to prevent another Candida infection. Eating a diet without sugar, gluten or casein is a good place to start.*There are also a few ways to supplement your diet to create the healthiest gut possible.*

Here are some of them:

Bentonite ClayWhen Bentonite Clay passes through the colon, it will absorb any toxins that are stuck there. These toxins will be expelled as waste.* Light ExerciseThis obviously isn’t a nutritional supplement, but it is an important activity for optimal health. Exercise should not be overdone since heavy exercise forces the body to focus its resources on recovery instead of on healing the digestive system.* MolybdenumCandida releases a toxin called acetaldehyde. Molybdenum converts this toxin into acetic acid, allowing it to be expelled from the body with other toxins.* Vitamin CVitamin C boosts the immune system. A weak immune system is the perfect target for a Candida infection, so to prevent future infections, build the strongest immune system possible.* Two other critical supplements for a healthy, well-rounded nutrition plan include krill oil and lysine.* Krill oil is a major source of omega-3’s, which is usually gotten through fish oil.* Krill oil is superior to fish oil in a multitude of ways, the main one being the presence of an antioxidant astaxanthin.* Astaxanthin defends cells and DNA.*

Krill OilKrill oil is also significantly easier for the human body to absorb than fish oil is.* Krill oil is in phospholipid form, which is what is found naturally in the human body.* However, fish oil is in triglyceride form, which creates a barrier around the actual beneficial part of the oil.*

In addition, fish oil has more mercury content in it than krill oil.* The benefits of krill oil are similar to those of fish oil, except it is highly efficient, with more nutrients and higher success rates.*, *

Krill oil increases cardiovascular health, develops better joint function, eases the worst of PMS symptoms, lowers cholesterol levels, and creates healthier skin.*

LysineLysine is essential to the human body.* Lysine can’t be produced by the human body, but as an amino acid, it is essential for building proteins.* In addition, lysine is an important ingredient in the creation of carnitine and collagen.* Carnitine converts fatty acids into energy, and collagen builds and strengthens bones and connective tissues.*

Lysine can be difficult to get into the body. Naturally, it can be found in red meat, poultry, pork, Parmesan cheese, soybeans, eggs, legumes, cod, and sardines.*Lysine supplements are primarily marketed in the form of L-Lysine.*

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Probiotics are often forgotten about during conversations surrounding supplements. However, they are imperative to digestive health.* Due to the processed foods and toxic chemicals that run rampant in today’s society, most people’s digestive health is dangerously out of whack. Probiotics restore the balance between good and bad bacteria in the digestive tract.*

When the balance is correct, the good bacteria help break down and absorb food and feed off the toxins produced by it.* Harmful bacteria produce excessive toxins that lead to health problems.* Probiotics also improve digestion, reduce symptoms of digestive disorders, prevent kidney stones, and improve general health.*

The human body has its own microbiome.* A microbiome is compiled of all the microorganisms in an environment, and the human microbiome consists of bacteria, archaea, virus, and eukaryotic microbes.*

The gut is the most diverse microbiome in the human body due to the amount of bacteria used.* The quality of gut flora impacts digestion, metabolism, and the immune system.* This is where probiotics become useful- the human microbiome is influenced by diet and environmental factors.*

However, since probiotics are a supplement and supplements are not regulated by the FDA, there are probiotics that are not safe for human consumption.* It can be difficult to avoid these probiotic strains, especially when so many of them sound similar.*

Below are some probiotic strains that are guaranteed to be safe*:

• Bifidobacterium Bifidum*• Bifidobacterium Longum*• Lactobacillus Acidophilus*• Lactobacillus Bulgaricus*• Lactobacillus Casei*• Lactobacillus Rhamnosus*

Another factor to consider is how much of a probiotic is being taken.* Probiotics are counted in Colony Forming Units, or CFU.* This is the safe way to measure amounts of probiotics, so avoid any that are only listed in weight.* CFUs should always be listed on a probiotic label.*

A good dosage to take if looking to protect or prevent disease is taking between 2-10 billion CFU.* If recovering from an illness, 20 billion CFU will be most helpful.*

The Truth You Need to Know About Probiotic Supplements

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Omega-3 supplements are often marketed in the form of fish oil. However, krill oil has been proven to be a better omega-3 supplement than fish oil.* Krill oil contains an antioxidant called astaxanthin, which protects DNA and cells.* This antioxidant is not present in fish oil.*

When looking for the perfect omega-3 supplement, krill oil will have the most beneficial properties.* However, there are other options that will still provide good omega-3 supplementation.* Fish oil is the next best option.* Unfortunately, there are a lot of bad fish oils and omega-3 supplements out there.*

Low-quality fish oils have a high probability of containing heavy metals such as mercury, lead, nickel, and arsenic.* These heavy metals are also occasionally present in omega-3 supplements that are not fish or krill oils.* Some fish oils get oxidized, which can cause more problems than it solves.* EPA and DHA are long-chain omega-3 fatty acids that need to be present in any good supplement.* A poor-quality supplement will not have these fatty acids included in them.*

Krill oil’s polyunsaturated fats are encased in phospholipids, meaning that the body can use them immediately. This fact allows the EPA and DHA to be quickly absorbed by the body, whereas fish oil has extra packaging around these fats that require the body to process differently.*

Krill oil has all the benefits of fish oils but in an extremely efficient delivery system.*These benefits are from the omega-3 fatty acids and include*:

• Increased cognitive abilities*• Better cardiovascular health*• Reduces inflammation and increase joint health*• Regulates blood pressure*• Helps with weight loss*• Positive impact on depression and anxiety*

The Truth You Need to Know About Omega-3 Supplements

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Everyone wants their hair to be soft and healthy. There are a lot of bogus scams on the market claiming to be perfect for hair growth or healing. In the 1980’s, the FDA made it illegal to advertise that a product makes hair grow without FDA approval.* As of right now, the only product that is FDA approved is Minoxidil/Rogaine.* Any other product that claims to grow hair is unreliable and should be avoided.*

However, there are Vitamins that are known to have an impact on hair growth and health.* The first thing is to know the anatomy of a human hair. Hair is made of a protein called keratin.* There are three growth phases for a hair.* These are anagen, catagen, and telogen.* The anagen phase is the growth phase, and lasts for multiple years.* The catagen phase is the transitional phase, which lasts a few weeks and is the time in which the follicle shrinks.*

The third and final phase of the hair cycle is the resting phase, which is when the new hair begins to push the old one out and begin again at the anagen phase.* This can take a few months to finish.*

The hair itself has a few different parts. The hair shaft is the area that is seen from the outside of the body.* The follicle is directly beneath the skin, connecting to the shaft and anchoring the hair into the skin.* The hair bulb connects to the follicle and is the base of the hair.* In the bulb, living cells divide and grow to form the shaft.*

Hair is the fastest growing tissue in the human body.* During the anagen phase, the hair is given nutrients from the bulb.* A number of nutrients that the hair gets while growing, the healthier the hair is.*

The Truth You Need to Know About Hair Growth Vitamins

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Vitamin AVitamin A is essential for any cell to grow.* Vitamin A also assists the skin glands in the creation of sebum, which helps moisturize the scalp and keep hair healthy.* A deficiency of Vitamin A is directly associated with hair loss, and an overdose of Vitamin A also causes hair loss.* Natural sources of Vitamin A include sweet potato, carrots, pumpkin, kale, eggs, milk, and yogurt.* It is also available through supplements.*

B-VitaminsThe term B-Vitamins is used to describe a series of 8 separate Vitamins.* The main one that relates to hair health is B7, or biotin.* Biotin deficiency has been linked to hair loss, but there is no evidence to suggest if biotin assists hair growth in people without deficiency.* B-Vitamins in general help carry nutrients and oxygen to the scalp, which helps stimulate hair growth.*

Vitamin CVitamin C is helpful in the production of collagen, which is a protein that is important for hair, skin, and nails growth.* Vitamin C is available in a wide variety of supplements, as well as naturally in citrus, strawberries, and peppers.*

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The supplement industry is undoubtedly dogged with questions about quality. Due to the lack of FDA regulations, the possibility that a supplement is actually toxic is high. In fact, the label may not even say what’s actually in the bottle! It makes sense that finding a supplement that is genuinely high-quality and healthy can be a daunting task for anyone.

In the supplement industry, price does not necessarily equate to quality of product.* However, it is a factor to take into consideration. For example, if a brand is drastically cheaper than the majority of others, it may be a sign of low-quality ingredients.* The label is going to be the best tool in your arsenal for determining the quality of a product.*

However, trusting the label at face value is not the way to go.* They do not necessarily reflect the product inside or the potency of the ingredients. Look at the ingredients and compare the number of filler ingredients to the amount of actual supplement.* High-quality supplements should have little to no fillers.*

Steer clear from supplements that provide megadoses.* For every supplement except calcium, the serving size should be 100% of daily value.* Calcium should not be 100% of daily value because of the amount of calcium the majority of people consume on a daily basis.* A premium supplement will not offer numbers like 250% daily value, or 500% daily value.

The best supplements will be sold by the same company that manufactures them, instead of a company selling supplements manufactured by a third party.* This is because the company’s name is on the line, and poor quality would reflect poorly on the entire company. If supplements are poor quality and not sold by their manufacturers, the company selling them can shift blame onto the manufacturer.*

Supplements that have been tested in a human clinical trial are also going to be the safest, and results of these trials should be easily accessible.* If they are not, it suggests that there may not actually be a study or trial.*

Ingredients are a major factor in the quality of a supplement. Finding easily digestible forms of nutrients will provide the best value and health benefits, and is a sign that a supplement is high quality.* Another facet is to check if the source of the ingredients is listed on the label, and if the source is listed, to check if it was manufactured in an FDA certified facility.* It is true that the FDA does not monitor supplements, but they do have guidelines for production facilities.*

What High-Quality Premium Supplements Really Look Like

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There is no FDA approval process for dietary supplements. So how do consumers know that a product is safe or manufactured well? There are three independent third-party quality certification programs for dietary supplements that are recognized both nationally and internationally as legitimate.*

Consumerlab.comIn 1999, Consumerlab.com became the first third-party quality certification program developed. It is registered to be in White Plains, NY. Consumerlab.com does not accept any products directly from manufacturers, instead opting to buy supplements from the store to test.* Consumerlab.com is a for-profit, private organization that operates throughout the United States, Canada, and China.*

A seal from consumerlab.com means that the label accurately reflects what is inside the supplement- verifying that the key ingredient is indeed the key ingredient and exists in the potency listed.* The supplement does not contain harmful levels of specific contaminants, although what those specific contaminants are is not clear.* Finally, a consumerlab.com seal guarantees that the product will successfully break down and release into the body within a specific time frame.*

NSF InternationalNSF International founded their quality certification program in 2003.* However, NSF International was created in 1944 under the name of the National Sanitation Foundation, and switched to NSF International in 1990, due to wanting to expand internationally beyond sanitation.* ‘NSF’ is no longer an acronym for anything.* Their international headquarters is in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in the United States.*

The NSF International seal is similar to the consumerlab.com seal, in that it guarantees the label is a correct reflection of the contained product.* Another similarity is that the NSF International seal means that the supplement does not contain harmful levels of specific contaminants.* NSF International also assures consumers that the supplement will break down and release into the body, similar to consumerlab.com certification.*

However, NSF International goes beyond consumerlab.com. There are absolutely no ingredients that are known to be a safety risk in supplements verified by NSF International.*

They also have identified over 200 athletic banned substances, and guarantees that these substances are not present in a product.* All products that have been verified by NSF International are manufactured in locations that meet both the FDA and USP Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).*

Clinical Evidence: Proving Ground for Health Supplements

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US Pharmacopeial ConventionThe US Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) was founded in 1820 with the intent to ensure quality in the American drug supply.* Their standards are used in 140 countries around the world, and they are also enforceable by the FDA in some contexts.*

Like the other two independent third-party quality certification programs, a USP label guarantees that the label is accurate about ingredients and potency and the supplement will break down and be absorbed into the body.*

Similar to NSF International, USP labels do not contain any harmful contaminants, as well as verify that the supplement was produced in a facility that aligns with both FDA and USP GMP.*

What sets USP apart from the other two certification programs is that there are appropriate allergen labels on all USP verified products.* Finding clinical evidence regarding supplements can be difficult for consumers because many supplements on the market have not been involved in trials. In the medical community, clinical trials are important because they test the effectiveness and safety of a new treatment.*

They help and improve and advance care for a plethora of medical conditions and diseases, helping decide if a new approach works well and is safe.*

Usually, clinical trials are sponsored by pharmaceutical companies and then conducted by research teams made up of medical professions, such as doctors.* In the supplement world, often the manufacturer sponsors the trials.*

However, clinical trials for supplements are often flawed and inaccurate.* This is because the trials are designed the same way prescription drug trials are designed.* Vitamins cannot be studied like a drug.*

Studies often fail to record baseline nutrient levels to determine if participants are actually in need of supplementation.* If an individual does not need a supplement, there is no need to take one, and no need to study them in a clinical trial.*

When checking clinical evidence surrounding a supplement, research the study done to ensure that it uses accurate testing methods.

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With all the phony, unhealthy supplements on the market, it can be difficult to know who and what to trust.

Right off the bat, any sites that end in .gov or .org are more than likely trustworthy. The websites associated with the quality certification programs such as consumerlabs.com, NIH International, and USP are also trustworthy.* Any professional websites associated with your personal doctor are typically going to have accurate information.

Of course, these are not the only accurate sources of information on the internet. When browsing other websites, there are three major red flags.* The first one is if the website is selling the supplement that it is providing information about.* In this case, their goal is to make money, so they won’t provide negative information about their star products if they can help it.

In a similar vein, a website that is making excessive claims about a product should be approached with caution.* This can often be paired with websites selling a product, but it can appear on its own as well.* If something sounds too good to be true, outrageous, or like the site is bragging, it is probably not a reliable source of information and shouldn’t be trusted.*

If a website seems okay at first glance, the last red flag to look out for is the date of publication.* If a website is outdated, the information should be set aside in favor of more recent evidence.*

Of course, deciding if something is outdated or not can be difficult, as there is no hard and fast rule about how long a time information remains accurate. If the website seems legitimate in every other sense but is a few years old, a reliable rule of thumb is to check online to see if any new studies or information have been released since publication. If there’s very little new literature, it’s plausible that the information is accurate.

Internet reviews are also a good source of information on customer satisfaction. Any reviews that come from trustworthy websites are also going to be reliable.* Amazon reviews are often relied upon by customers, but they should not be the sole source for reviews.* People get compensated for leaving reviews on products, and although it’s against the rules to write fake reviews, it most certainly still happens.*

If you are unsure of what to purchase or need help understanding what supplement your body needs, talking to a doctor or pharmacist will provide you with professional reviews of assorted products. A pharmacist may have better knowledge of supplements than a doctor, but the doctor will be able to help you figure out what you need.

How to Use a Premier Review Site to Empower Yourself

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If you want to be as healthy as possible, you need to put premium supplements into your body. Here are some things that point to a premium product:

Expiration Date: A premium supplement will provide an expiration date on the label or bottle because they know that supplements do go bad.*

Opaque Bottle: Light can harm some vitamins and supplements, premium brands do not take that chance.*

Exact Chemical Form: Premium brands list their ingredients in their exact chemical form, such as ‘calcium citrate’ as opposed to just ‘calcium’, because accuracy is important to them.*

Ingredients: Premium brands do not fill their supplements with sugar, preservatives, colors, or other fillers that can potentially harm the consumer and add nothing to the supplement.*

Natural: Synthetic vitamins are not as easily absorbed by the body compared to natural vitamins.* Natural vitamins also contain trace minerals that synthetic vitamins lack.* 95% of the market is composed of synthetic vitamins, leaving only 5% of it to contain premium supplements.*

Transparency: Customers prefer companies that do not try to hide what their products contain or how they are made.* Companies that are transparent about their methods are not only more honest, they listen to their customers.*

Daily Value: The DV should not exceed 100%.* It is possible to become sick from an overdose of supplements, which is why any supplement advertising 500% DV is not high-quality.*

Claims: A premium supplement does not lie or make outrageous claims, especially regarding the strength of their product.* Anything that claims to be prescription strength is not a premium supplement.*

Third Party Testing: Premium supplement brands are willing to pay for the tests to get certified by consumerlab.com, NSF International, or USP.* They know that this is a promise of quality to their customers.*

Customer Service: The brand’s website should have contact information to help with any questions. They should also be polite and respond quickly.

Most Critical Things to Search for in a Premium Product

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We are constantly being given data and information about how important it is to supplement our diets. Most of PSA’s leave out is exactly how you’re supposed to supplement. The supplement section of a store can be overwhelming, especially if you’re new to supplementation. Below is a quick guide to choosing the right supplements.

MultivitaminsMultivitamins have garnered serious hype in the nutrition community recently with the debate over whether or not they’re actually necessary for everyone, which they are.* One of the ‘expert blog’ posts from Mayo Clinic listed some common reasons why people are opposed to consuming multivitamins.*

The first is that they are not FDA regulated, so in theory, you could be taking sugar pills marked as calcium and be none the wiser.* However, there are three third-party quality certifications that are present on some vitamins.*

These are consumerlab.com, NSF International, and US Pharmacopeial Convention (UPC) .* All three of these quality certifications ensure that the product they’re connected to is high-quality, the label accurately reflects the supplement, and that they are made with safe ingredients.* Due to the fact these reliable certifications exist, there is a way to know which supplements are safe and which are not, making the FDA regulation point moot.*

The Mayo expert blog also states that if you are concerned about chronic disease, adjusting diet, exercise and smoking habits will be enough preventative measures.* Of course, these are all important for health in general, but taking a good multivitamin is also going to help.*

One of the common reasons people give for not taking a multivitamin is that they can get the same nutrients from their food, a sentiment echoed by the Mayo Clinic blog.* However, it has been proven that even eating the healthiest foods no longer fully provide the nutrients needed for optimal health.*

Quick 1-2-3 Guide to Choosing the Right Supplements

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This means that the food that may have provided enough nutrients in the past simply does not produce the same amount of nutrients that it did.* This is due to a variety of factors, including pollution, environmental contamination, too many chemicals, overheating, over processing, and over refrigeration.* In addition, modern agricultural methods have nearly completely depleted the soil of nutrients.* When the soil does not have proper nutrients, the crops being grown in the soil will not get proper nutrients.*

Due to this, it is imperative that everyone takes a multivitamin. The Mayo Clinic’s expert blog is correct that there is no FDA regulation on supplements, but finding a supplement that is verified by consumerlab.com, NSF International, or UPC is a place to start in finding a safe supplement.*

Fish / Krill OilThese two oils are both full of healthy omega-3 fatty acids.* These fatty acids, EPA and DHA, allow for better signaling between cells, meaning your body will burn fat instead of carbohydrates.*

Fish and krill oil have similar effects, however krill oil is more effective than fish oil.* Krill omega-3s are in phospholipid form, allowing the body to use them immediately, whereas fish oil’s omega-3s are packaged more, and the body can’t use them as efficiently.*

ProbioticsProbiotics are often an overlooked supplementation. After all, why do we need to consume more bacteria than we already have living in our stomach? Oftentimes, digestive health is poor but not necessarily noticed. Consumption of a probiotic can help with that.*

Probiotics aid with digestion, absorbing nutrients, producing neurotransmitters, eliminating waste, and preventing liver damage from substances like Tylenol, antibiotics, and alcohol.* When looking for a probiotic, make sure to buy one that has live microflora bacteria and is guaranteed to work through the date of expiration.* Two of the most common and studied probiotic strains are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, and any probiotic in those strains is a good place to begin. Outside of these three categories, supplementation is dependent on your individual body. Check in with your doctor on what may need an extra boost, because unless you are a deficient, taking a supplement doesn’t do much.

If you have supplements in mind that you are wanting to try, make sure to do plenty of prior research. Check multiple sources, avoid any reviews from Amazon*, and look into what your friends and family use. Word-of-mouth is always the most reliable review.

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Unfortunately, until the FDA starts regulating products, there will always be toxic and dangerous materials on the market for unwary consumers. In fact, at least 23,000 people a year end up in the hospital as a direct result of taking supplements.* There are a plethora of junk ingredients out there that will cause more harm than the supplement is giving help.

Magnesium stearate is the combination of a magnesium ion and stearic acid.* Stearate acid is derived from stearic acid, which suppresses T-Cells.* T-Cells are the body’s ‘killer cells’, a major part of the immune system.* A lack of T-Cells leads to a weak immune system, opening the door for more severe diseases to take hold.*

In addition, stearate is commonly sourced from hydrogenated oils, such as cottonseed oil, which are often genetically engineered or full of pesticide residue.*

Magnesium stearate is dangerous for all of the above reasons. It is still a commonly used filler ingredient in supplements because it allows for easier manufacturing and prevents the supplements from sticking together.* Avoiding magnesium stearate is a good way to steer clear of bad products.

There are a wide variety of shady marketing techniques that companies use to either make their product look the best, to hide that it doesn’t work, or to cover up what is actually inside the supplement.* Luckily, there are a number of marketing techniques that usually associated with shadier companies.* When you find these techniques on a supplement, it is a sign to look a little deeper into the company.

“All Natural”This is often used to lull consumers into a false sense of security.* Companies rely on the common misconception that the word ‘natural’ equates to ‘healthy’ in the minds of the majority of consumers.* There are a lot of natural things that are not safe for consumption (Ex: poisonous mushrooms) .*

“Clinically Proven”One technique for finding the best supplements is to choose one that has undergone clinical trials, which companies manage to exploit for marketing purposes.* Many times, the trial is taken out of context and warped to be applied onto a supplement.* Always look into the claimed proof instead of taking a label at face value.

“Effective”This is similar to ‘all natural’ in that people often assume it equates to safe.*

Avoiding the Trap: How to Steer Clear of Toxic Supplements

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“Guarantee”This word is often paired with bloated claims of impressive results and dramatic weight loss.* If something sounds too good to be true, it most likely is, and the word ‘guarantee’ is often paired with it.*

“Proprietary Blends”These are not always unsafe, but they are a major red flag.* Companies originally used this as a way to hide their secret formulas, and this is sometimes still true.*However, the ability to only list the ingredients and not the amounts of each one opens many doors for abuse.* Shady companies will use this to sell supplements that are primarily filler with barely any nutrients while leading customers to believe their supplement is full of nutrition.*

Many vitamins and minerals come in a variety of different forms for supplementation. Some of these forms are higher quality than others. Often, the bioavailability of the lower-quality ingredients is very low, meaning they are not easily absorbed into the body.

CalciumCalcium CarbonateThis is cheap and common, with incredibly low bioavailability.* Avoid this form at all costs.*

Calcium CitrateThis form has low bioavailability as well.*

Calcium GluconateThere is very little actual calcium in this form.*

Calcium LactateThis has a more medium level of bioavailability, and is naturally found in aged cheeses and baking powder.*

Calcium PhosphateThis may seem like a wise choice to supplement with due to the fact it is tooth enamel and bones.* However, there are no suggestions that this is actually effective in supplemental form- there may be no bioavailability at all.*

Calcium Citrate MalateThis is the second-best form of calcium to supplement with.* It is soluble in water, giving it decent bioavailability.*

Calcium OrotateThis is the most efficient form of calcium to supplement with.* It is a primary ingredient for creating bones and teeth, as well as improving cellular communication.*

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Vitamin DD2 - ErgocalciferolThis is a synthetic form of Vitamin D created by irradiating plants.* This is also the commonly recommended form of Vitamin D, despite binding poorly with proteins.*

D3 - CholecalciferolThis form is 87% more potent than D2.* Both forms of Vitamin D need to be converted into an active form in the body, but D3 is converted 500% faster than D2.*

Vitamin CAscorbic AcidThis is the stripped-down, chemical form of Vitamin C.* It is synthetic and comes in supplement form.* However, this is best avoided in lieu of the other two forms of Vitamin C.

Ester-CSometimes called calcium ascorbate.* This form absorbs better into the body and is widely believed to be gentler on the stomach.*

Liposomal Vitamin CThis is a mixture of Vitamin C and lecithin.* It is fat soluble and has relatively decent bioavailability.*

Vitamin ARetinoids (Retinol)This is the type of Vitamin A that is from animal foods.* It has high bioavailability.*

CarotenoidsThis is also known as pre-Vitamin A because it must be converted inside the body before being usable.* It originates from plants.* These are some of the biggest traps in the supplement industry. It is difficult to find information on specific companies that are shady, which is why it is best to know what signs to look out for.

*However, there is one last scam to note:

Gummy multivitamins often claim to be complete multivitamins, when they often are not.*

An example of this is the Vitafusion MultiVites Complete Multivitamin Gummy.* The label claims to be a complete multivitamin, but in fact, is missing 8 nutrients - B-1, B-2, K, magnesium, zinc, copper, and selenium.*

This is a common occurrence in gummy vitamins, and this scam should be avoided at all costs.*

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Smarter Reviews is a website dedicated to high-quality reviews of health supplements and products. As opposed to some review sites, Smarter Reviews is built on a community of reliable and trusted people that work together to create the best source for supplement research.

Smarter Reviews provide comprehensive information on the products they review, refusing to skimp on any facts. They focus on ingredient safety, projected effectiveness, value ranking, return policy, and customer satisfaction.*

To decide ingredient safety, they check legitimate databases against the product, looking for limits on dosage, safety, and banned substances.* Their ratings around projected effectiveness are based on not only databases but independent clinical studies to ensure they have the most accurate information before building their review.*

Their value rankings refer to how much of a supplement you get for your money.* They add the total amount of active ingredients and subtract the fillers to calculate the number of actual nutrients in the supplement.*

Other supplement reviewers often skimp over the return policies of the products they are reviewing. However, Smarter Reviews does not. They know how important it is to analyze the return policies in place because if a company is confident in their product, they will have a strong return policy.*

Finally, Smarter Reviews analyzes customer satisfaction.* The rank of customer satisfaction is based on personal experience of the reviewer.* This first-hand experience is invaluable in creating the high-quality supplement reviews available.*

Smarter Reviews provides a wide array of information on hair, skin, makeup, general health, and pediatric health.* The information provided by Smarter Reviews is accurate and cites its sources well to prove it.*

Smarter Shoppers are the driving force behind all of this. Smarter Shoppers are the collective members of the Smarter Reviews community. They not only write reviews and rate products, they are the ones who benefit from the work being done. The more Smarter Reviews that exist, the more Smarter Shoppers are created. This creates a cycle of analysis and accountability unlike anything else on the internet.

Smarter Shoppers trust Smarter Reviews. Before you shop for supplements, we hope you will too. You want the very best products for your body, and we want to make sure that you get them!

How Smarter Reviews Can Help You

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