The Power of Natural Health Supplements: Why Quality Matters
The Power of Natural Health Supplements: Why Quality Matters
By Madison Isenor, BSc Health Sci (ND candidate 2025)
When it comes to natural health supplements, not all products are created equal. Understanding the importance of quality, regulation, and proper guidance is key to unlocking their benefits.
A recent study by Crawford et al. (2022) highlights the critical importance of purchasing high-quality dietary supplements, especially as sales of cold, flu, and immunity supplements have soared since the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers examined 30 immune health supplements from Amazon.com, revealing that less than half had accurate ingredient labels and many products contained undeclared substances or were missing listed ingredients, leading to potential misbranding and adulteration (Crawford et al., 2022). None of the supplements had third-party certification, underscoring the lack of quality control. This study emphasizes the necessity of choosing supplements from reputable sources to ensure safety and efficacy.
Let's dive into why choosing professional-grade supplements through a licensed naturopathic doctor can make all the difference.
The Importance of NPNs
In Canada, the Licensed Natural Health Products Database, managed by Health Canada, ensures that supplements on the market are safe, effective, and high quality. Every licensed product carries an eight-digit Natural Product Number (NPN) on the label. This number indicates that the product has been assessed and meets stringent standards (Health Canada, 2021). This database includes a wide range of products, from vitamin and mineral supplements to traditional medicines and everyday consumer items like certain toothpastes and shampoos.
Professional vs. Generic Supplements
Opting for professional-grade supplements means choosing products that undergo rigorous testing and quality control. These supplements use the highest quality raw ingredients, sourced from trusted suppliers. The manufacturing process includes extensive testing for identity, potency, and contamination, ensuring that what’s on the label is exactly what’s in the bottle.
In contrast, generic brands may not have the same level of scrutiny. For example, a study found that nearly 25% of tested ginseng supplements contained different species or plant parts than what was listed on the label (ConsumerLab.com, 2021). Professional brands avoid such discrepancies by adhering to strict standards and regular quality control audits.
Why Go Through a Licensed Naturopathic Doctor?
Purchasing supplements through a licensed naturopath guarantees that you’re getting high-quality, research-based products. It ensures that you aren’t taking a supplement because it’s trendy, but because your body actually needs it. The supplements sold in naturopathic clinics like Oak Integrative Health are third-party tested for purity and potency, making them a safe option, especially for individuals with allergies or sensitivities. Professional-grade supplements are also formulated to enhance bioavailability, meaning your body can absorb and use them more effectively.
Professional-grade products don’t take shortcuts. They avoid unnecessary additives, fillers, and artificial colors, focusing instead on delivering pure and effective ingredients. This meticulous approach ensures that you’re getting a product that truly supports your health goals.
Trust in Expertise
Companies that produce professional-grade supplements work closely with scientists and healthcare professionals, ensuring their products are backed by solid research and clinical trials. This collaboration results in formulations that healthcare providers trust and recommend to their patients (Brykman et al., 2022).
In summary, when it comes to natural health supplements, quality is paramount. By choosing professional-grade products through a licensed naturopathic doctor, you ensure that you’re getting safe, effective, and high-quality supplements that can make a real difference in your health. Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement to ensure it’s the right fit for your needs. Come visit us at Oak Integrative in Burnaby if you are curious about which supplements are right for you.
If you’d like to learn more about how the specific brands we carry at Oak Integrative Health ensure that their products are the highest possible quality, click on the links below:
References:
ConsumerLab.com. (2021). Review of Ginseng Supplements and Teas. Retrieved from ConsumerLab.com
Crawford, C., Avula, B., Lindsey, A. T., Walter, A., Katragunta, K., Khan, I. A., & Deuster, P. A. (2022). Analysis of Select Dietary Supplement Products Marketed to Support or Boost the Immune System. JAMA Network Open, 5(8), e2226040–e2226040. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.26040
Brykman, M. C., Goldman, V. S., Sarma, N., Oketch-Rabah, H. A., Biswas, D., & Giancaspro, G. I. (2022). What Should Clinicians Know About Dietary Supplement Quality? AMA Journal of Ethics, 24(5), 382–389. https://doi.org/10.1001/amajethics.2022.382
Health Canada. (2021). Licensed Natural Health Products Database. Retrieved from Health Canada