Cheap tricks

Flex, July, 2004 by Steve Stiefel

Q | When I buy a supplement, should I buy the cheapest one I can find, or am I getting more by paying more?

A | Good question. This is the classic "let the buyer beware" consideration. Sometimes, the cheapest is just as good as the most expensive, making the less expensive choice the best option when you factor in cost. At other times, the cheapest is, well, the cheapest. Here are some guidelines to help you through this quagmire.

* Read labels | Look at the dosage, especially on supplements that tout numerous ingredients. Often, there is only a small amount of one. For instance, if you're buying a protein product with glutamine or creatine in it, check the label to see how much is contained. FLEX recommends five grams of glutamine and three to five grams of creatine as a serving. If your product contains less, then you should add more of that supplement to your protein product. Factor this in when evaluating the cost and value of this protein product.

* Buy supplements appropriate for your needs | When purchasing vitamins and minerals, compare the dosage of key bodybuilding nutrients (vitamins C and E, calcium, magnesium, zinc, etc.). Buy the multi that comes closest to meeting your bodybuilding needs. Keep in mind that multis vary quite a bit, as they are formulated for different purposes and market segments. For example, most male bodybuilders don't need a multi that's high in iron, but many women do. One brand may lack a key mineral but give you too much of another.

* Buy brands you know and like | It's very expensive to deal with the legalities of not meeting label claims. Legitimate supplement companies are very aware of this, and they strive to make all their products meet label claims. Ultimately, it's more cost-effective for them to sell what they say they're selling than it is to pay to clean up after the mess of false label claims. Using familiar brands or brands with a good reputation are ways to make sure you're getting what you're told you're getting.

* Use common sense | If the bargain seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be especially cautious of whey and creatine products. Although the prices of both have come way down, you shouldn't expect to get either of them too cheaply. If a whey protein seems too cheap, it may be close to expiration or already expired. If a creatine monohydrate product seems too cheap, it might not be micronized creatine, and it could cause stomach problems in some people.

* Do your research | Read FLEX magazine. Read what's on the Internet. Stay abreast of information about various supplements and brands. Most important, evaluate various statements from your own perspective, taking other sources into consideration.

Finally, pay attention to the results you're getting when you take a particular product. That's the ultimate test of whether it's worth the money you're paying.

Send your questions on any topic of nutrition to Advanced Nutrition, FLEX magazine, 21100 Erwin St., Woodland Hills CA 91367. For more information on nutrition and supplements, visit www.flexonline.com.