Health and nutritional supplements tend to lean more toward natural, organically compatible ingredients and approaches than the sometimes harsh, man-made chemicals and compounds found in pharmaceuticals.

That doesn't mean you should automatically assume that supplements are more effective, safer or a better value. Any product is only as good as its worst characteristic. To be sure you're getting the best for your buck, take some time to research products before you buy.

Look online. Many reputable and well-known websites exist that can be your guide to saving money and time when considering a supplement. Check consumer protection sites and sites that specialize in naturopathic and holistic remedies.

In this economy, no one wants to waste money TRYING to feel better; they want to spend as little as possible on ACTUALLY feeling better. To help make that happen, use these 7 (and-a-half) tips:

1. Find out how long it takes to work

Faster isn't always better. (But it isn't always bad either) Sometimes when a product works too quickly, it may mean it's too harsh or strong for some people to tolerate. That isn't always the case though, sometimes it may simply be fast acting because of the nature of the ingredients and what it is used for.

Products that claim to be "natural" or "gentle" may have longer effective times. Depending on their intended use, this may be what you are looking for. If something claims to take at least several days to several weeks, it may seem like a long time, but it might be better in the long term. A cumulative healing effect is in my opinion better than something that claims to work miracles in 20 minutes and either doesn't deliver, or causes other problems instead. (Like upset stomach, diarrhea, nausea, etc.)

The best thing to do when researching how fast acting something should be is to research other well known brands. If you find that the most trusted brands say it should take 3 to 5 days to work, but another company selling a similar item is saying it works in 1 to 2 days and is telling you they can do it at half the cost, then be suspicious and research that company further before you buy anything!

2. Pay attention to the guarantee

First of all, IS there a guarantee? If not, put it back and keep looking. Second, what is the guarantee? Is it a guarantee that there's something in the bottle, or does it back the product up with the company's full faith?

Pay a lot of attention to the wording. Some companies may guarantee the strength or effectiveness at the time of manufacture, but not beyond. A truly reputable company will provide a replacement or money back guarantee for anywhere between 30 and 90 days if you don't feel the product is working for you. If you don't see this type of guarantee on the product, you should question why the maker doesn't have enough faith in it to provide one.

3. Find the dose per unit

This is one of the most misleading labeling and packaging practices in the world. It is designed to do nothing more than separate you from your money! Assume we're talking about the same type of supplement.

Which one of these sounds better:
200 Capsules for 9.99
OR
36 Capsules for 39.99

WOW - 200 capsules for only 9.99?! Let's look more closely:
Each of the 200 capsules contain only 100mg of the active ingredient "nosweatatol root" - a natural ingredient that keeps your feet from being stinky. (I'm making up the active ingredient by the way.) The required dose for it to work as it's supposed to is 7 Grams per week. That means you would have to take 10 capsules every day (70 per week) to get the required dose of 7 Grams per week. (100mg x 10 Capsules = 1 Gram x 7 Days = 7 Grams)

Now, lets look at the 36 Capsules for 39.99. Suppose each capsule contains 3.5 Grams of the active ingredient "nosweatatol root". If the required weekly dose is 7 Grams, you'd only have to take 2 capsules PER WEEK, not 10 capsules per day like the first example.

Let's break this out further:
36 Capsules at 39.99 would last 18 weeks at a cost of $2.22 per week, for a 7 Gram weekly dose.

200 Capsules at 9.99 would last only 20 days at a cost of almost $3.33 per week for a 7 Gram weekly dose.

As you can see, with the 200 capsules you are paying more per dose, and you are running out of it 6 times faster! So, is it worth buying 200 capsules for 9.99? I may not be a math major, but the answer seems pretty clear to me - go with the 36 capsules for 39.99.

4. Find out if it is it being kept under controlled conditions if required

This does not apply to many supplements, but some do require specific conditions for storage prior to and after purchase. Refrigeration is the most common.

If you are considering buying a product whose bottle is labeled "refrigeration required" and it is sitting on a shelf in a store or supermarket, you should think twice before taking it to the cash register.

Probiotics are a good example of this. All probiotics require cold storage for them to stay viable and active. Depending on the strain(s), packaging, and quality control during manufacture they can be stable outside of the refrigerator for up to several months, but they should be kept cold whenever possible. If you find yourself looking at a dusty bottle on a shelf that says "refrigeration required", you should just put the bottle back.

5. Find out how "cutting edge" the product is

While this may not necessarily be a deal breaker, the truth is there have been advances in research, manufacturing and packaging technology. What sounds better to you: X-Box or Atari? iPod or Pager? Revolutionary safety features that prevent tampering and preserve the product 10 times longer or Shipped in a paper bag?

Take the time to find out if your supplement is a result of many months or years of research, or if it's the same old stuff that's been around forever. That's not to say time tested, proven ingredients aren't of great benefit, but it is to say that a company that continually does research and is always looking to improve itself would be higher on my list of purchasing choices.

6. Look for a product recommended by professionals

Many times, naturopathic doctors or others involved in, or close to the health care field will find a product or products that they truly believe in and recommend. (Like Dr. Russell Blaylock with Theralac for example.) These are usually some of the better products to be found.

Since some doctors have their own product lines, claims of their effectiveness and quality are obviously called into question. Is it bias, an attempt to shamelessly sell their own products, or are they actually effective? I think it's too hard to know for sure which is why I recommend finding products that are recommended by several doctors who you are satisfied have no ties, financial or otherwise, to each other or the product.

6.5. Find out how long has the company been in business.

This one is short and sweet, so I’m only counting it as half of a tip. Very simple: Find out how long the company has been in business. If they’ve been around a while, they “might” be doing something right.

7. Go with your gut.

Temper you decision making with both research and intuition. There is something called "analysis paralysis" and it's just what it sounds like - freezing up and not being able to make a decision because you are so overwhelmed with information that you just can't decide. At times, people even walk away from a situation because of analysis paralysis, and it doesn't have to be that way.

When you have done all your research and narrowed down your choices, if there isn't one clear winner, go with your gut. A lot of times there's a reason why you get a feeling of intuition. If you really can't decide, then just flip a coin, because if you've done your homework and narrowed it down to two choices, the odds are they're both pretty good and you just need to pick one or the other. And besides, you can always try your second choice next time.