Choosing health products with confidence

Vitamins, nutritional shakes and syrups may sit on the same shelf, but they can serve very different purposes. Before choosing a health product, it helps to understand what the label says and what questions to ask a healthcare professional.

In our first New Life Insight, we look at five questions that can help you make sense of a product’s purpose, ingredients and directions for use.

1. What is this product intended to do?

Start with the product’s stated purpose, not its packaging or popularity. Foods, dietary supplements and medicines have different roles. The word “syrup” describes a product’s form; it does not explain its purpose. Read the description and directions, and ask a pharmacist if you are unsure what the product is intended for.

Supplements are intended to add to the diet. They should not replace prescribed medicines or the variety of foods that support a healthy eating pattern. NIH’s consumer guide explains this distinction.

2. What am I actually taking?

Look beyond the product name to its ingredients, amounts and serving instructions. Check whether a stated amount refers to one tablet, one scoop or a full serving. If you use several products, take their labels to a pharmacist so overlapping ingredients can be identified.

The NIH notes that supplements may cause side effects or interact with medicines, and that taking more is not necessarily better. “Natural” does not automatically mean safe. Speak to a healthcare professional before starting a new supplement. This is particularly important if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or choosing a product for a child. Read the NIH safety guidance.

3. How does it fit into my overall nutrition?

A healthy diet depends on your overall eating pattern. The World Health Organization (WHO) describes adequacy, balance, moderation and diversity as its foundations, while recognising that individual needs vary. Consider how a product fits into that wider picture. See WHO’s healthy diet guidance.

If you are considering a meal replacement, ask a registered dietitian whether the product suits your needs and what it is intended to replace. A product name alone cannot tell you whether it is appropriate for you. Discuss your usual meals, preferences and health needs rather than relying on a single claim on the pack.

4. Where can I find reliable information?

For medicines in South Africa, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) provides an Online Medicines Directory with approved patient information. SAHPRA states that the directory launched with Schedule 0–2 medicines, with expansion to prescription medicines underway. Read SAHPRA’s directory guidance and access information.

The directory is not a universal list of every nutrition or wellness product. If you cannot find an item, ask a pharmacist or the supplier to explain its classification and provide the relevant product information. A missing search result alone does not explain a product’s status.

5. What should I ask before I begin?

Bring the packaging, or a clear photo of it, and a list of the medicines and supplements you already use. This gives your healthcare professional a clearer picture. Useful questions include:

• What is this intended for, and is it appropriate for me?
• How do I interpret the serving or dose instructions?
• Are there ingredients that overlap with products I already take?
• Who should I contact if I have a concern about the product?

Clear information makes a better starting point than guesswork. Whether you are considering a vitamin, a nutritional product or a medicine, take time to understand its purpose and ask whether it is suitable for you.