| Are you currently taking dietary supplements? Do | | | | expand a more conscious level of awareness |
| they contain the vitamins, minerals, and other | | | | about supplements, vitamins, and herbs. |
| ingredients necessary to supplement the diet? | | | | Get the facts about "natural" supplements |
| Why are you taking supplements? Are they | | | | In recent years, there has been a sharp increase |
| beneficial to you? Can you feel a change in your | | | | in demand for natural dietary supplements. |
| health since you have been taking them? Are | | | | Consumers are wanting these products because |
| they "natural"? These are just some of the | | | | they feel they are safe, beneficial, and come |
| questions that should be answered before you | | | | from natural sources. But is the safety and quality |
| begin or if you have been taking them for quite | | | | living up to what the manufacturers claim? The |
| some time. It is better to be well-informed before | | | | laws are less strict governing regulations for |
| ingesting something that might be harmful to you. | | | | supplements than drugs. A supplement |
| Are you fully aware of the supplements that you | | | | manufacturer does not have to prove to the |
| are taking? | | | | FDA the product's effectiveness and quality. |
| Consumers spend hundreds of dollars each year | | | | Though some natural supplements may be |
| on supplements, yet there are quite a number of | | | | beneficial for others, they may not have the |
| those individuals that are not fully aware of the | | | | same effect for you. |
| who, what, when, where, how, and why they | | | | When in doubt, check with your physician |
| take them. First of all, who made the | | | | Check with your physician if you have any |
| recommendation? Was it a friend, the internet, | | | | questions or concerns. Your physician may have |
| TV commercial, or physician? What supplements | | | | the latest and updated information on the |
| are you taking? When is the best time to take | | | | supplements that you are not sure about. |
| them? Where do you purchase these items, from | | | | Communicate to your physician the options you |
| the internet, mail order, or pharmacy? How do | | | | are exploring and what would be their suggestions |
| you know if you are receiving the right ingredients | | | | and recommendations. |
| as the label claims? | | | | The bottom line, is for you to do your research |
| Last, why are you taking them, for health, | | | | and get the facts. Take control of your health by |
| energy, replace nutrients that are missing from | | | | having the knowledge and information to make |
| your diet? All of these questions are not | | | | the right decisions. |
| questioning one's competency, the idea is to help | | | | |