Most consumers go to the Vitamin Shoppe or GNC to buy supplements thinking because these are “specialty” stores they are getting a better “grade” product and more sophisticated selection from which to choose. In fact, “grade” and “selection” are more tricky propositions than one might think.

All supplements are not created equal: some don’t absorb properly in the blood stream, some can’t survive stomach acid, and some don’t contain the proper combination of ingredients (i.e.-Vitamin D must contain Vitamin K, or a V-K compound) for the body to absorb them properly. Anything not absorbed is eliminated by the body, so absorption is critical.

For those serious about their supplements, they must seek out only “pharmaceutical grade” products. The term “pharmaceutical grade” means that the products have been tested—usually by an independent lab—to meet bioavailability standards proving that the body can absorb them. Despite the name, you don’t need a prescription for pharmaceutical grade supplements.

Where do you go to purchase the best products? Some companies put it on the label & some don’t making it even more difficult to determine viability. Drs. Weil and Mercola sell products that are pharmaceutical grade. Top companies include: Metagenics, Xymogen, Designs for Health, Thorne Reasearch, Pharmax, Body Ecology, Purium, and Biomatrix. Most of these you can find online or through your doctor’s office. Two brands in stores with good reputations are Bluebonnet and NOW.

It costs more to produce bioavailable supplements, so you will pay more than what you might find at Vitamin Shoppe & GNC stores. There are deals to be had in the supplement world, but most of the time you get what you pay for.

How do you know what combination of supplements your body truly needs? The best way to tell is not to guess. Visit a certified nutritionist who is familiar with the proper tests to discern your specific needs. It is not uncommon for people to misdiagnose themselves and either fall short of their requirements or suffer from toxic levels of certain vitamins due to dosage or dangerous combinations. Your body is yours, but not necessarily a do-it-yourself project.

Yes, that’s a colon at the end of that sentence.

Of all the topics covered during a typical intake session, guess which one makes people the most uncomfortable? Drug use? Alcohol consumption? Food binging? Nope. It’s that little thing at the end of the sentence up there.

It shouldn’t be that way. If you’re a parent, you’ve changed a lot of diapers in your day. You wouldn’t fail to notice a change in your baby’s stool color or consistency. You’d tell your vet if you noticed changes in your pet’s stools.

Constipation, diarrhea, and other changes in the frequency or consistency of bowel movements may be symptoms of larger problems, so it’s important to let your wellness consultant know what’s going on.

On your next visit, make sure you talk about what’s at the end of that sentence. And I don’t mean punctuation.