Tips for Buying Supplements Online
Over the last few years, the use of dietary supplements has risen to an all-time high. A study conducted in 2019 found that 77% of Americans reported using dietary supplements, with the largest percentage being female adults. The most widely sought supplements include vitamins and minerals, specialty supplements, and herbals and botanicals.
The rise in demand means that dietary supplements are more widely available than ever before. These days you’ll find these products at local drug stores, grocery stores, and even in big box retailers. Of course, one of the most convenient ways to buy dietary supplements is online. In just a few clicks you can have vitamins, weight loss supplements, and other products delivered to your front door.
But before you buy any kind of supplement online, there are some things you’ll need to know. Here are tips and tricks to follow to ensure you buy safe, high quality supplements that will provide the benefits you want.
Know Why You Need Supplements
There are thousands of different dietary supplements to choose from, especially in the online world. Most people take supplements to ensure they’re getting an adequate amount of a certain vitamin or mineral. Others take them to minimize or possibly treat symptoms of an underlying health condition.
For example, maybe your doctor recommended calcium and vitamin D to help with bone and joint health. Or maybe you were told to supplement with B12 after following a vegan-diet, which can cause a deficiency in certain B vitamins.
If you don’t have a specific health reason to take a certain supplement, it’s best to consult with your doctor. Diagnosing yourself and assuming you need to take a certain dietary supplement could do more harm than good.
Choose the Right Brand
Reputable supplements come from reputable brands. You want to purchase from a company that is experienced in the industry as well as one that values product quality, customer service, and transparency.
So how do you know if a brand is worthwhile or not? There are several factors to consider when choosing where to buy supplements from online including:
- Company information (ie. a thorough “about us” section)
- Clear product labels
- Product testing
- A professional website
Because there are so many online companies that sell dietary supplements, it’s important to narrow down your options to just a few. With a list of trusted, reliable names, you’re most likely to find products that meet (or exceed!) your expectations.
If you’re looking for high quality supplements that you can trust, choose Elm & Rye. Our online store offers some of the most popular dietary supplements, including melatonin gummies, probiotics, collagen, fish oil, magnesium, and nootropics.
Read the Product Label
When browsing the web for the right dietary supplement, one of the first things you’ll want to do is to read the product label. While flashy designs can be persuasive, the most important information is found on the product label.
The product label is where you’ll find all of the facts about a supplement, including what it includes, how much of each ingredient is included, serving size, and more. When reviewing labels online, keep an eye out from certifications from top organizations including:
- United States Pharmacopeia (USP)
- NSF International
- ConsumerLab.com
A certified product meets manufacturing standards and is more likely to be formulated with high quality, safe ingredients.
When reviewing the label, make note of any warnings or potential negative drug interactions. For example, some supplements may cause drowsiness or digestive issues. Others may negatively interact with prescription medications or other supplements.
Be aware of this information and other details so that you can be informed when buying any kind of supplement online.
Read Online Reviews from Customers
If you’ve never ordered supplements online before, be aware that you’re going to face all sorts of uncertainty, but you can greatly minimize the risk in many ways. Ideally, you want to minimize the risk of buying supplements that are low quality or even potentially harmful.
The best place to start is by reading online customer reviews. These reviews will provide you in-depth insight into what customers have to say about a company, their shipping and delivery processes, product value, and of course the efficacy of their products.
Focus on the comments and ratings that customers review. Do customers have positive words for a brand and its products? Are they happy with the results? Do customers think that the products are a good value?
Most importantly, look for reviews about products that you’re interested in buying. This way you can make an informed decision.
By following these tips, you can buy with confidence and peace of mind. Happy shopping!