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Nutritional Supplements
Provided by ISL Consulting Co.

Browsing through any supermarket these days, you are likely to find an abundance of pre-packaged, portable energy bars and drinks that claim to do everything from helping you lose weight to lowering your cholesterol and blood pressure. There are protein powders to boost your energy, shake mixes that provide nutrition without the fat content, and of course there are vitamin supplements. And what about the dietary supplements?

If you feel confused, you are not alone. How do you select the best product for your needs? Which ones are safe and healthy and which ones might be detrimental to your health?

First, check with your doctor to find out if you actually need any nutritional supplements and if so, which might be the best for you. Carefully research the supplements you are considering. We hope some of the important factors and tips that we've listed here will help to inform your choice and make your decision a little easier.

Energy Bars and Drinks

For starters, it is helpful to understand that the terms "Energy Bar" or "Energy Drink" simply mean a bar or drink that contains calories. Anything that has calories will give you energy. While many of these products do contain a number of nutrients, they should never be a complete replacement for food.

Your choices depend on whether you are looking for an occasional meal replacement, a quick pick-me-up, or a vitamin supplement to augment your vitamin and mineral intake.

Meal Replacement

Look for a product that has at least 15 grams of protein, 3-5 grams of fiber and approximately 35 percent of the Required Daily Allowance (RDA) for vitamins and minerals.
Look for a product that is low in fat (less than 5-8 grams). Also look at the type of fat included. Try to avoid saturated fats such as hydrogenated oils (coconut oil or palm kernel oil) that clog your arteries and can increase your risk for heart disease. Instead, find products that are made with less saturated fat, such as canola and vegetable oil.
If you're watching your weight, check the calorie content. Some products, such as Clif Bars® contain about 240-250 calories, whereas Luna Bars® contain only about 170-180 calories.
Watch the sugar content. In order to improve taste and sales some of these items contain as much sugar as a typical candy bar. Avoid products that list sugar as one of the main ingredients. High-fructose corn syrup, maltodextrin and cane syrup are basically names for sugar.
Avoid using these products as a food replacement too often. Although these items have many vitamins and nutrients that are required everyday, they are often missing some basic and essential ingredients found in most foods. Instead of an energy bar for your next snack, grab a container of yogurt or a bowl of oatmeal.
As a general rule, you should always choose whole natural foods over shakes and bars.
Several powdered drink mixes, such as MET-Rx® and Myoplex, are better for you than the shakes and bars. This is because they are often very low in fat and they are sweetened with Aspartame (which contains no calories) instead of refined sugar.

Increase Energy

If you want to increase your stamina during exercise, look for a product that contains a lot of protein, such as the Ironman PR bar, which is about 30 percent protein, 40 percent carbohydrates, and 30 percent fat.
Look for a product that contains between 30 and 50 grams of carbohydrates, the amount your body generally requires for an hour of exercise.
Avoid consuming energy bars or drinks too soon before you work out or exercise. If you do, you may experience problems digesting the food and suffer a stomachache. Ideally, you should consume a high carbohydrate energy supplement at least one hour prior to exercise.

Vitamin Supplement

Look for a product that contains approximately 35 percent of the RDA for vitamins and minerals. If you consume multiple bars or beverages on a given day, make sure you don't consume too many additional vitamins from other sources.

Dietary Supplements

Before taking any supplement, it's a good idea to speak with a health care provider or nutrition specialist to discuss which supplements are right for you. It's especially important to seek the advice of a professional if you're taking other medications. Some supplements, when taken in combination with other medications, can create adverse reactions.

What is a Dietary Supplement?

A dietary supplement contains at least one FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) defined "dietary ingredient" such as vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids, enzymes, organ and glandular tissues, metabolites, extracts or concentrates. These supplements are sold in many different forms, including pills, capsules and powders.

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