Cheap vs. expensive vitamins: What’s difference?
What is the difference between expensive and cheap vitamins (photo: Freepik)
Many people wonder why some vitamins are more expensive than others. Despite the availability of vitamin supplements, prices can vary significantly. Although at first glance the ingredients may seem the same, there is a quite important explanation, according to Huffpost.
What makes a vitamin expensive?
In general, according to Ebne Rafi, a clinical pharmacy specialist at the University Hospitals in Ohio, there is only a small difference between a cheap and an expensive vitamin.
Prices vary depending on the type of supplement, its ingredients, and how it affects the body. Factors such as good packaging can also matter.
It is unclear how different compositions affect the way the body absorbs nutrients or what exactly distinguishes natural ingredients from synthetic ones.
However, there are some factors that make a vitamin better. For instance, you want to choose products made with high-quality ingredients that do not contain tons of fillers.
The right dosage of vitamin
It is also important for the vitamin to be in the correct dosage. A low dose may not provide the expected effect, while a high dose can lead to serious health complications.
There have been many cases of liver damage caused by taking supplements containing excessively high doses of vitamins or other liver-dangerous ingredients.
A higher price does not automatically mean that the product is better. A more expensive dietary supplement does not necessarily mean it is of higher quality.
All vitamins produced in laboratories are conditionally divided into groups, each characterized by its own features and production methods.
The cost of a vitamin complex will be determined by how it is manufactured. This is the main factor. Next are the marketing components of the price: packaging, advertising, distribution in pharmacy networks, etc.
How to determine if a vitamin is high-quality
Before starting to take vitamins, it is important to consult with a doctor, pharmacist, or nutritionist.
In particular, healthy individuals who have a balanced diet likely do not need to take vitamins.
Only a doctor can determine if taking dietary supplements may be beneficial.
A high-quality vitamin is one that has been tested by an independent third party for quality and contains minimal fillers.
Look for the USP or NSP certification mark on the packaging label.
Additionally, you can conduct your own research. Review scientific studies on the nutrients you are interested in and check the manufacturer's website.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
