| Nutritional supplements refers to a wide range of | | | | the message, "These statements have not been |
| products that are designed to enhance your | | | | evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration" |
| health, improve athletic performance, or otherwise | | | | or something similar. Because supplements are not |
| affect your physical or mental well being. These | | | | regulated, the manufacturing, processing, and |
| can include vitamins, sports supplements, weight | | | | packaging methods can vary a great deal from |
| loss products, teas, herbs, and anti-oxidants. | | | | one product to another. When using supplements, |
| Nutritional supplements can be found in almost all | | | | be sure to research the company and choose a |
| health food stores and many traditional stores as | | | | reputable supplier. The safety of supplements |
| well. | | | | may also be unknown due to the lack of |
| Throughout history, nutritional supplements have | | | | regulation. Again, careful shopping is necessary. |
| been used to treat a wide range of ailments and | | | | Many producers and users of supplements claim |
| to improve health. Many traditional medicines | | | | that they are safe because they are natural or |
| come from what may be considered | | | | made from "all natural" ingredients. While this may |
| supplements. Perhaps one of the most common | | | | seem like a logical claim, consumers must use |
| forms of nutritional supplement is the vitamin. | | | | their best judgment when considering the use of |
| Many people take multi-vitamins, and doctors | | | | supplements. Many substances found in nature are |
| often recommend such use. Some vitamins can | | | | not safe, and are in fact toxic, poisonous, and |
| be risky if taken in excess, however, so an | | | | even deadly. After all, poison ivy is "all natural," but |
| awareness of the safety of such vitamins is | | | | you likely won't want to rub it all over your skin, |
| essential. An excess of Vitamin A, for example, | | | | even if a great sales pitch tried to convince you |
| can lead to liver damage and other unpleasant | | | | that it's the best moisturizer around. |
| side effects. Consult with a doctor before taking | | | | Some nutritional supplements can be useful and |
| anything vitamin supplements. | | | | aid your health. Just as with any consumable, |
| Other popular supplements are used in sports, | | | | careful shopping and research is essential to your |
| where they are used to enhance performance | | | | good health. If a claim seems too good to be |
| and speed recovery. Many supplements used for | | | | true, it likely is. Be aware of product pitches and |
| these purposes cause debate as to effectiveness, | | | | use good judgment before purchasing and using |
| and some have been pulled from the shelves. | | | | any nutritional supplements. Buy supplements |
| Ephedrine is one recent example. Used in many | | | | from a reputable company and manufacturer, and |
| weight loss products, ephedrine caused serious | | | | when in doubt, consult a physician before |
| heart problems for some users and is now a | | | | beginning a supplement routine. Learn about <a |
| regulated substance. Creatine is another | | | | rel="nofollow" |
| supplement of possible unknown side effects. | | | | onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackPageview', ' |
| Some people claim that it causes liver damage, | | | | outgoing/article_exit_link']);" href=" fertilizer< |
| while others say that it is safe when used | | | | a> and <a rel="nofollow" |
| appropriately. | | | | onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackPageview', ' |
| One of the most important things to know about | | | | outgoing/article_exit_link']);" href=" fertilizer< |
| nutritional supplements is that they are not | | | | a> at the <a rel="nofollow" |
| regulated by the Food and Drug Administration | | | | onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackPageview', ' |
| (FDA). This is why many product claims on | | | | outgoing/article_exit_link']);" href=" Of |
| packaging labels and advertising materials include | | | | Fertilizers</a> site. |