In a perfect world, all digestive supplements would have high quality and safety. Then again, in a perfect world, no digestive supplement would be necessary. Supplements and vitamins do not necessarily signal problems when on the shelf for sale. When you need a digestive supplement, the ingredients matter more than in most things. You do not want anything going into your system that is hard to digest.
Manufacturers do not tend to emphasize problems within a vitamin or supplement capsule. When you want a supplement to help your digestion, you do not need heartburn over the supplement’s safety. A company who makes a reputable digestive product will have no concerns over listing all pertinent information. Here are a few things to check before you purchase a supplement.
1. What Is Your Digestive Supplement’s Family History?
- Check the genus, or the large group your digestive supplement came from. This lets you know your supplement comes from the right sources.
- Next, find the species, or small group within the genus. That shows you the source carried through to the sub-group.
- Finally, review the strain, or immediate family members of your digestive supplement. If you cannot the genus, species and strain, then it raises questions as to where your digestive supplement originated.
2. Make Sure You Choose A Digestive Supplement with the Right Certifications
- Look for the FDA Registered Facility symbol. This shows your digestive supplement from the Digestive Center meets FDA manufacturing standards.
- GMP stands for Good Manufacturing Practice for Consistent Quality, the oval symbol in red, silver, white and black should be on the label.
- The symbol showing your product is Third Party Lab Tested indicates your digestive supplement manufacturer had confidence in their product. A company only submits their product for independent testing when the quality is top-notch.
3. Your Digestive Supplement Should Show the Potency and Ingredients
- While suggested potency levels are not definitive, a trustworthy manufacturer lists the potency on the label. Different enzymes have various potency levels.
- A reputable digestive supplement maker like the Digestive Center always lists the ingredients.
- The label should indicate any additives in your digestive supplement. If the ingredients list added color, ask the company why. If flavors or sweeteners are in your supplement, you may want to consider another digestive aid.
4. Certain Numbers Matter
- Colony forming units, known as CFUs, determine the effectiveness of your digestive supplement.
- If a digestive supplement does not list the number of CFUs or leaves it off completely, then you should consider another supplement.
- CFUs should number over 10 million for an effective digestive strain. Most reputable digestive supplements have well over 10 million CFUs.
5. Company Contact Information and Return Policies
- Any supplement you plan to buy should provide the company name, address and telephone number. Website information should list this as well.
- If the digestive supplement does not work for you, then a return policy ensures you get your money back.
- A return policy should list the terms under which you will get your money back. Information such as how much time you have to return the product and where to send it should be clear.
If you check this information before purchasing a digestive supplement, it should help you decide which one is right for you.
