People should know that not all nutritional aids are pure. Many things sold as healthy actually contain synthetic and artificial ingredients and even genetically modified substances. People who find this disturbing can search out organic non GMO supplements for their nutritional needs. This assures them of getting truly natural products.

The 'organic' certification is one indication of high quality and safety. No organically-certified food or formula can legally contain genetically modified ingredients. This means that all health aids that are so certified should be GMO-free. Certification comes from independent organizations and the federal government. Many companies will have more than one badge of quality.

Some mainstream food and supplement producers are trying to have GMOs declared safe, although studies have not confirmed this. The 'natural' claim already allows genetic modification. Consumers who want truly natural food and untainted nutritional products should ask elected representatives to keep organic standards truthful and reliable. Public awareness on this issue is not high, and misleading advertising gives false assurances of safety.

Most manufacturers who do not use genetically modified raw materials in their supplement line will proudly display this information on their labels. Many supplement companies take their responsibility to consumers very seriously and pledge to provide clean, safe products. Others, however, have defrauded their customers and even issued some products that caused illness. One example of this was recalled and temporarily suspended tryptophan, an amino acid. The problem turned out to be not with the active ingredient but with a filler used by a single company.

Supplements are designed to provide nutrients that are either hard to get in sufficient quantities or may be missing from foods. Trace minerals are lacking in many soils, for instance, and many people don't eat enough fish, nuts, or healthy oils to get their essential fatty acids. The category includes vitamins, minerals, fibers, bio-identical hormones, amino acids, herbals, and more. Products are regulated mainly by the industry, although all manufacturers must operate within certain guidelines.

It's important to realize that many products in the industry today do contain genetically modified ingredients. The safest way to avoid them is to buy organic. Certification also assures the consumer that no artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors have been used, and that ingredients are grown without chemicals. Most companies who care enough to go organic produce high-quality, well-researched products.

Quality matters. Some formulas have been found to contain only traces of the nutrients they promise to deliver. Others use substances which may be poorly utilized by the system, making them a waste of money if not actually harmful. Some forms of iron, for example, may do little for anemia and can even accumulate to toxic levels in the body. Other, more reputable companies have pioneered research in health and have a long record of safety and integrity.

Choosing nutritional products may seem confusing, but there are ways to get safe, pure products. Look for reviews posted after independent evaluation or by satisfied customers. Don't confuse these with 'testimonials' posted on websites that market the products, which are really advertisements.