Millions of people take vitamin supplements every day to promote good health. With all the different types of vitamins, minerals and herbs flooding the market today, it is sometimes difficult to know what to choose.

The first thing to know is that vitamin supplements are not a substitute for eating healthy, vitamin-rich whole foods. Food contains the nutrients your body needs in their purest form and reacts with each other and with your body in ways that supplements cannot. However, taking vitamin supplements in addition to eating a vitamin-rich diet can be a great way to stay healthy and protect against damage from harmful free radicals.

When buying vitamin supplements, there are a few things to keep in mind:

Always read the label

Reading labels is a wise habit that you should do every time you shop for supplements. Labels can tell you more about dosages, ingredients, safety precautions and other important information.

Choose a reputable manufacturer

Always choose products with “USP” on the label. “USP” is the abbreviation for the U.S. Pharmacopeia and the indication on the label means that the product has been tested and checked for quality and safety.

Check the date

Expired vitamins can lose their potency. Always make sure there is an expiration date on the bottle and never buy or use expired supplements.

Avoid gigantic doses

Do not choose supplements that provide extremely high doses of a particular vitamin or vitamins. Too much of everything can be harmful and sometimes even fatal.

Keep safe

Always keep your vitamins out of the reach of children. Store in a cool, dark, and dry place as heat and humidity can compromise the integrity of the vitamins.

Always do your homework

<p value="<amp-fit-text layout="fixed-height" min-font-size="6" max-font-size="72" height="80">Research is always a good idea before deciding to take vitamin supplements. Consult your doctor. Do some internet searches or visit your local library. There are a wealth of resources available to you on the topic of vitamin supplements and the benefits they provide.Research is always a good idea before deciding to take vitamin supplements. Consult your doctor. Do some internet searches or visit your local library. There are a wealth of resources available to you on the topic of vitamin supplements and the benefits they provide.