HEALTHY LIVING
How to choose quality vitamins, supplements

(Family Features) More than half of Americans take an over-the-counter vitamin or dietary supplement, but many may not realize that the quality of these products can vary greatly. Because supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration like other medicines, not all are quality products. When choosing a vitamin or other supplement, checking for independent verification can help ensure quality.
A recent study in the “Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine” found that the amount of actual melatonin in 71% of supplements is off by a 10% margin, meaning that labels of many melatonin substances do not accurately reflect how much melatonin is in the pill. The study also found the amount of melatonin within pills in a single jar can vary by 465%. This incident illustrates the value of verification, which confirms what is on the label is what is in the bottle.
Measures of Quality
The following are some of the characteristics to consider when evaluating the quality of a dietary supplement:
- Positive Identification: There are products on the market that do not contain the ingredients indicated on the label. Tests by an independent third party can confirm that what is on the label is in the bottle.
- Potency: It is crucial that ingredients are present in the right amount. Too little may have no effect on your health, while too much may be harmful.
- Purity: Unwanted ingredients can have a negative effect on health. Examples may include heavy metals, mold or mildew, and chemicals from pesticides.
- Performance: A pill or tablet must properly dissolve, or else ingredients cannot be absorbed by the body. In that case, it is more likely to pass through your system without any effect on your health.
Another example is saw palmetto extract, a supplement commonly used to support prostate health and help to reduce frequent urination. Studies indicate that not all saw palmetto products are the same. Differences in purity, potency and quality among the various available saw palmetto products are thought to affect the usefulness of these supplements.
“As with any supplement, a consumer should look for the most reliable option,” said Ed Wyszumiala, head of the Dietary Supplement Verification Program at U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP). “Only consistent and quality saw palmetto extracts have been shown to be effective based on clinical research. Therefore, consumers seeking a quality dietary supplement can feel confident choosing products with third-party verification, such as Flomentum, the only saw palmetto extract supplement that has been independently verified by USP.”
How to Make Supplements Part of a Healthy Daily Routine
Following a few simple guidelines can make it easy to include supplements as part of your daily routine.
- Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any supplements, as they may interact with your prescription medications.
- Do your homework on the manufacturer to make sure it is a reputable company that adheres to good manufacturing practices and does not appear to be the subject of frequent consumer complaints.
- Avoid companies making questionable claims about curing diseases and do your research on the science behind the products.
- Carefully follow the directions on the labels, so you take the supplement exactly as intended.
Tests by an independent third party can confirm that what is on the label is in the bottle. Learn more about quality supplements and check whether your products are USP Verified at Quality-Supplements.org/Verified-Products.
Photo courtesy of Getty Images
SOURCE:
U.S. Pharmacopeia
HEALTHY LIVING
Holiday advice to keep pets happy, healthy

(Family Features) While family and friends share gifts and hearty meals during the holidays, pets are there to share snuggles and comfort. This year, make sure you protect the joy of the season by keeping pets safe as you likely introduce new foods, decor and other potential hazards in the home.
Share the holiday cheer with your pets by unwrapping peace of mind with these suggestions from the experts at VCA Animal Hospitals.
Manifest Holiday Mindfulness
Keeping your pets (and yourself) happy and healthy throughout the holiday season isn’t just about the physical. Don’t forget the mental and mindful aspect of care with these fun, easy ways to spread cheer.
- Practice Self-Care Together: Enjoy a “spaw” day with pet-safe grooming products, throw a holiday-themed movie night, grab your favorite blanket for a cuddle session or try pet yoga.
- Manifest Happiness: Write five reasons you’re grateful each morning, send holiday notes to those you care about, play interactive games during festivities and put a little extra thought into gift-giving.
- Supercharge Your Calm: Meditate with your pet, unplug from social media to be present with loved ones (including pets), take a deep breath during special moments and accept that some things may go wrong during this hectic season.
- Get Moving: Go for a winter walk, teach your pet a new trick, create an indoor obstacle course, enjoy a playdate at the dog park or introduce your pet to a new toy.
Avoid Toxic Foods and Hazardous Items
Your festivities are sure to be filled with love, laughter and joy, but all that celebrating is likely to include decorations and delicious foods that are harmful to pets.
Pets are often naturally curious and may be attracted to bright, shiny items like candles and decorations. Protect against accidents by keeping decorations like tinsel, ribbon, open-flame candles and fragile ornaments out of reach. Avoid plants like poinsettias, mistletoe, lilies, holly and amaryllis that may be toxic to pets. Be sure to cover or hide exposed electrical cords and exposed Christmas tree water.
Many common festive foods are bad for pets. It may be tough to resist those cute, begging eyes, but your pet’s health will benefit from your restraint. Keep chocolate, candy, fatty meat and bones, alcohol and exposed trash off the menu for pets.
Stay Prepared
Being prepared is always a good idea for pet owners, but the holiday season especially can be unpredictable with new routines, unfamiliar guests, hazardous foods and more. Stay safe throughout the festivities and enjoy peace of mind knowing VCA is by your side for those unforeseen moments with access to world-class emergency medicine by providing 50% off an ER exam for all pet owners and free ER exams for CareClub members.
Visit pets.vcahospitals.com/er-holiday to claim your 50% off coupon, find a location near you and discover more tips for a safe, pet-friendly holiday season.
Holiday Do’s for Healthy Pets
With endless checklists and to-do’s before big holiday gatherings, you know how important it is to be organized during this hectic time of year. Part of your organizational strategy ahead of the festive season should include your pet’s health and ways you can protect him or her whether you’re celebrating at home or on the go.
Consider this list your holiday cheat sheet with quick, easy ways you can protect pets before, during and after get-togethers.
- Decorate with pet-safe ornaments
- Keep festive plants out of reach
- Put a skirt around your Christmas tree and secure it so it can’t fall over
- Invest in electric candles or menorahs
- Keep dogs inside during get-togethers
- Follow your pet’s regular diet
- Create a quiet space for your pet away from guests
- Check in with your pet to ensure he or she is happy and comfortable
- Thoroughly clean up and pack away any leftovers
Photos courtesy of Shutterstock
SOURCE:
VCA Animal Hospitals
HEALTHY LIVING
The importance of clean school transportation

(Family Features) Across the country, more than 25 million children ride to school each day in school buses, most of which are powered by diesel and produce harmful emissions known to cause respiratory issues like asthma and bronchitis.
An alternative energy source, like propane, can provide children with a safe, clean and healthy ride to school. As an environmentally friendly and affordable energy source that is abundantly available, propane can help achieve a cleaner today and greener tomorrow for students.
Watch this video to learn more!
Consider these reasons it’s important to clean up student transportation from the experts at the Propane Education & Research Council:
- Propane reduces emissions in exhaust that negatively impact air quality by up to 96% compared to diesel.
- Propane school buses provide a quieter ride than diesel buses, which means it’s easier for drivers to hear potential concerns and students arrive at school calmer and ready to learn.
- Propane warms up quickly, providing a heated cabin for a comfortable ride during colder months.
- Propane is affordable, allowing school districts to replace aging diesel buses three times faster than transitioning to an electric bus fleet.
Learn more about clean transportation options and the benefits of propane school buses at BetterOurBuses.com .
HEALTHY LIVING
Lower your COPD risk at any age

(Family Features) Breathing: You may take it for granted, but your lungs are important, and so is protecting them. No matter how old you are, you can take action to prevent certain lung conditions, like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD.
It’s a serious lung disease that makes breathing difficult and gets worse over time. COPD is less common in younger adults, but anyone can have it. People with a genetic condition known as Alpha-1 may have symptoms as early as age 20.
Consider these steps to lower your risk for COPD:
- If you smoke, get help quitting. Most people with COPD have a history of smoking. It’s not easy to quit, but your health care provider can share resources to support you.
- Try to avoid exposure to lung irritants like air pollution, dusts and chemical fumes. Some occupations put you at higher risk for COPD.
Most people are 40 or older when symptoms start. If you have shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or fatigue, talk to your health care provider. Tell them about your smoking habits, any family history of COPD and exposure to lung irritants and ask if you should be tested for COPD.
If you have COPD, the sooner you learn how to manage it, the sooner you can start to breathe better.Don’t wait. Protect your lungs for life.
To learn more, visit nhlbi.nih.gov/BreatheBetter.
Watch video to find out how!
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