Things You'll Need:
- Common sense
-
Step 1
Determine your specific needs. Supplements today are based on age, stage of life, gender and other factors. Are you active or exercise on a regular basis? Are you pregnant or nursing? These two situations alone call for special nutritional needs. Age is also a determining factor when it comes to supplements.
-
Step 2
Evaluate your diet. Can you get more of the nutrients you need from your diet? Make changes to your diet if you can. Nutrients that come from your food are more easily utilized by the body than what you get in supplement form. Some supplements use synthetic forms of vitamins and minerals and they are harder to assimilate than natural ones.
-
Step 3
Do some research on the brands before you buy. All brands are not the same and a brand name does not always insure quality. When vitamins tablets are manufactured they are pressed together with so many pounds per square inch. If they are too tightly compressed, they will not break down in the digestive system and they won't be utilized by the body. Make sure they pass this small test. Place the supplement between your thumb and first two fingers and press. If the tablet breaks in two or at least cracks, your system will be able to digest it. If not, your stomach won't be able to break it down. In this case, don't forget to break it in two before taking it.
-
Step 4
Kinesiology can be used to determine the amount of nutrients you need and how often you will need to take them. Kinesiology is a non-invasive form of muscle testing that can be done by massage therapists and other alternative healthcare practitioners.
