Before we delve into the foundation supplements we recommend here at Human Performance Hub, we must address quality. Today’s market is flooded with supplements promising the world but in reality delivering very little.
It’s frightening what you can get away with on labels. Everything from prescription drugs to the food we eat is supposed to be regulated to protect us as the consumer. But the truth is that the standards are rarely up to the task, especially in the supplementation industry.
A recent study conducted by the University of London tested around 70 products as part of the BBC2 show ‘Trust Me I’m A Doctor. They analysed three well-known types of herbal food supplements – ginkgo, evening primrose and milk thistle. They found that the labels on some popular supplements are “misleading”, as many do not contain the ingredients their labels list. Out of 30 ginkgo products tested, a total of eight had little or no ginkgo extract. In one case of milk thistle, the researchers found compounds they could not identify in place of the herb.
As well as misleading labels, ingredient quality is also a huge issue. For example, magnesium oxide is a cheap, small molecule that quickly passes through the body without being absorbed. Many cheaper multivitamin products use this form of magnesium to save cost instead of using other collated, more absorbable forms such as magnesium glycinate.
Finally, the supplements you take must be easily broken down. One particular multivitamin (one of the UK’s biggest sellers) is packed so tightly that it is impossible to digest and can be seen on stomach Xray several hours after consumption. A good supplement tablet should be encased in a coating that will break down rapidly in the body; it should also be tested for toxic solvents and heavy metals as you want your supplements to improve your health, not give your body more stress deal with.
This is why if you invest money in your health through a supplement program, it is better to buy quality that works than waste money on stuff that won’t work and could have adverse effects on your health. You get what you pay for a lot of the time.
When purchasing a supplement, it is essential to ask yourself the following questions:
- Does the supplement contain what it says it does?
- Are the highest quality ingredients free from toxic solvents and heavy metals?
- Is the supplement packaged in a bioavailable form allowing for easy absorption?
Many high street brands can’t’ answer yes to all of the above confidently. Here at Human Performance Hub, we only recommend world-class brands that are pharmaceutical grade that you can confidently answer yes to all of the above.
Shop For The Highest Quality Supplements
Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professionals before making any nutritional & lifestyle changes or before taking any nutritional supplement. For more information, please view our terms and conditions.
