If you have tried to shop for a nutrition vitamin lately, it is highly probable that you were overwhelmed with the choices that adorn store shelves these days. There are vitamin pills that promise almost anything – from healthier nails and hair, to cancer treatment and prevention. But you just want a vitamin supplement that will give you peace of mind in knowing that you are getting every nutrient that your body requires. You can find exactly what you are looking for in a nutrition vitamin, if you do your homework and follow a few simple steps in selecting the best supplement for you.

What the FDA does not do with Nutrition Vitamins

If you are living under the assumption that any supplement you take is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), think again. The fact is that the FDA is not involved with the regulation of the vitamin industry, making it that much more important for you to research the company that you are considering buying your supplements from. When you find a nutrition vitamin on your store shelf that looks appealing, before purchasing the product write down the name of the manufacturing company for future reference. Take that information home to your computer where you can plug into the company website to get key facts on how reputable the company claims to be.

Although you cannot get the FDA seal of approval on your nutrition vitamin, you can do some research to find out if the company manufacturing the supplement meets Good Manufacturing Practice requirements. You can also learn whether the vitamin supplement that you are considering is a pharmaceutical grade supplement. This information will give you an idea of the quality of the vitamin. Quality is an important factor if you are interested in getting the biggest nutritional bang for your buck. The higher quality products will be absorbed more effectively into your blood stream to go right where the vitamins are most needed. You also want to find out if the vitamin is made from natural or synthetic ingredients; keeping in mind that natural is almost always the preferred choice.

Factors to Consider when Selecting a Nutrition Vitamin

Once you have determined that the manufacturer of the nutrition vitamin you are considering passes muster, take a look at the supplement itself. You should take one that is considered “complete” so that you don’t have to take multiple pills every day. Select a supplement that is labeled “bioavailable”, since this will ensure that the majority of the vitamin will be absorbed by your body. It is also a good idea to make sure that the supplement has been tested in a laboratory so that you know how effective the nutrients of the vitamin are. Once you have found the best nutrition vitamin to meet your individual needs, you can rest assured that you are on the road to optimum health.