Are 'health' products bought in supermarkets appreciatively lower in quality and amount, than bought in health shops or chemists?

[Adlon57]

I have recently started, successfully, using turmeric, since 09/2021, for balance problems, after effects of AZ vaccine, but usually taken in one month pill dosages, I used a UK supermarket brand, which I noticed after a fortnight, headaches, dizziness, returning! Has anybody else found these cheap supermarket 'brands' bringing similar woes? What percentage of 'active' ingredients are actually in these supermarket "alternatives"?

[piglette]

Have you thought about buying the powdered variety and putting it in your food? It makes scrambled eggs look really impressive. If you can get fresh turmeric that is fantastic. Dr Michael Moseley of the 5:2 diet and always on TV was involved in a small research project which said the powdered form was better. Probably cheaper too, as just pure turmeric.

[Adlon57 in reply to piglette]

Thanks piglette good suggestion, might do that if I could get the powdered variety? The supermarket [Tescos] turmeric seemed 'microscopic' in relevant amount to my usual Health Shop variety, a friend in my local Health shop hopefully will test it for me? I was just wondering that supermarket 'own' brands of "health products" surely could be given the 'cold shoulder' as far as general use is concerned?🥴😆😤

[piglette in reply to Adlon57]

I should imagine that the supermarkets will not be purchasing their own tablets they will be buying them in, so some may be as good and possibly the same product even. The trouble, unlike medicines, supplements do not require testing. A medicine normally takes about ten years at a cost of two billion dollars to get onto the market. Apparently 96% of supplements sold are not really needed. They are extremely successful for the suppliers bank accounts though. You are better getting your supplement through food and good nutrition. Having said that, things like vitamins, folic acid etc can be needed.

[Adlon57 in reply to piglette]

These are Tescos, 'own' brands, specifically made and sold by them!

[piglette in reply to Adlon57]

You will probably find that they use a supplier that packages their products for them. Tesco only buy things in. I heard the other day that there is a company in the north of England that produces 95% of the Christmas puddings in U.K. I assume companies just say what recipe they want.

[Adlon57 in reply to piglette]

Having gone through various turmeric 'mixtures' I found that turmeric with black pepper is best, as recommended by a friendly nurse who is a regular user! [although can be hard to get?]👍

[piglette in reply to Adlon57]

That is good. I agree.

[hunter5582]

There are some cheaper formulations of turmeric that are effective. The issue is bioavailability. Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, does not pass readily into the bloodstream. It needs help. The most common way to increase bioavailability is the use of piperine (black pepper extract). There are other formulations that work too. I use one available here in the States that uses a formulation called CurcuWIN. It makes a huge difference in the systemic inflammation I experience due to the JAK2 mutation.

Hope that helps.

[Adlon57 in reply to hunter5582]

Thanks Hunter just started using Curcumin this morning recommended by a friend, eaten via breakfast!