Free tool
Supplement Suitability Check
Some situations call for a clinician's advice before you start any supplement: pregnancy, nursing or trying to conceive, food allergies, regular medicines, a weakened immune system, upcoming surgery or new symptoms. Answer the yes or no questions to see which apply, then bring the flagged items and the product label to your clinician or pharmacist.
How to use it
- Answer each question in the table with yes or no.
- Every yes is a flag: check with your clinician or pharmacist before starting the supplement.
- Bring the full Supplement Facts label, not only the front of the box, so every ingredient can be checked.
- No flags does not mean a supplement is right for you. Read the label, and stop and ask a clinician if anything new happens after you start.
Reference
| Question | If yes | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Are you pregnant, nursing or trying to conceive? | Check with your clinician before any supplement. Do not use Balance Complex. | Not for use if pregnant, nursing, or trying to conceive: Balance Complex contains wormwood and black walnut hull. |
| Do you have a tree nut allergy? | Check with your clinician first. | Balance Complex contains black walnut hull, and FDA lists tree nuts such as walnuts among the major food allergens. |
| Are you allergic or sensitive to any plant, herb or other ingredient? | Check with your clinician first, with the full label in hand. | Besides its probiotics, Balance Complex lists wormwood, cranberry, oregano, anise seed, aloe vera, reishi and other ingredients on its Supplement Facts panel. |
| Do you take prescription medicines, including blood thinners? | Check with your clinician or pharmacist first. | NIH notes that supplements can interact with some medicines, and some can increase the risk of bleeding. |
| Do you have a weakened immune system or a serious illness? | Check with your clinician first. | NCCIH says the risk of harmful effects from probiotics is greater in people with severe illnesses or compromised immune systems. |
| Do you have surgery coming up? | Tell your surgical team before starting. | NIH advises talking with your health care provider about any supplements you take before a surgical procedure. |
| Are you under 18? | Check with a clinician first. | NIH advises care with supplements for children unless a health care provider recommends them, and this check is written for adults. |
| Do you have symptoms right now, such as fever, pelvic pain, unusual discharge or bleeding? | See a clinician. A supplement is not a substitute for a diagnosis or treatment. | NIH advises consulting a health care provider before taking supplements to treat a health condition. |
What the Balance Complex label says
5 probiotic strains at 100 billion CFU per gram, plus wormwood, black walnut hull (a tree nut), cranberry and other ingredients listed on the Supplement Facts panel. Take 2 capsules, once daily, with a meal.
Who should not use it
Not for use if pregnant, nursing, or trying to conceive: Balance Complex contains wormwood and black walnut hull.
If it does not suit you
Balance Complex comes with a 90-day money-back guarantee. Empty bottle or full, within 90 days of delivery, for any reason.
No flags is not a green light
This check cannot say a supplement is right for you. It only shows when to ask first. Stop and contact a clinician if you notice a rash, swelling, trouble breathing or any new symptom.
How this tool works
Each question maps to one row of the table below, drawn from NIH Office of Dietary Supplements and NCCIH safety guidance, FDA allergen guidance, CDC pregnancy guidance and the Balance Complex label. A yes shows that row's flag; a no shows nothing. The check never says a product is right for you and never names a condition. It runs only in your browser: nothing you enter is sent or stored.
Frequently asked questions
Who should check with a clinician before taking a supplement?
Anyone who is pregnant, nursing or trying to conceive, takes prescription medicines, has a weakened immune system or serious illness, has surgery coming up, has food or plant allergies, or is under 18. NIH also advises asking before using a supplement to treat a health condition.
Can supplements interact with medicines?
Yes. NIH notes that supplements can interact with some medicines in ways that might cause problems, and some can increase the risk of bleeding or change your response to anesthesia. A pharmacist can check your full list.
Are probiotics right for everyone?
No product is right for everyone. NCCIH says probiotics have a long history of apparently safe use in healthy people, but the risk of harmful effects is greater with severe illness or a compromised immune system.
Why does a nut allergy matter for a probiotic?
Some supplements contain more than probiotics, including plant or nut-derived ingredients. FDA lists tree nuts, such as walnuts, among the major food allergens, so read the full Supplement Facts panel and ask a clinician if you have a nut allergy.
Can I take a supplement while pregnant or trying to conceive?
Ask your prenatal clinician before starting any supplement. CDC advises talking with your healthcare providers about all medicines, herbal and dietary supplements if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy. Not for use if pregnant, nursing, or trying to conceive: Balance Complex contains wormwood and black walnut hull.
Does no flag mean a supplement is fine for me?
No. This check only shows situations where you should ask first. It cannot judge your full health history, so read the label, ask a pharmacist if you are unsure, and stop and seek care if a new symptom appears.
Is anything I enter stored?
No. The check runs entirely in your browser. Your answers are not sent anywhere, not saved on your device, not added to analytics and never appear in the page address.
Sources
This tool gives general information for adults and does not diagnose or treat any condition. It is not a substitute for advice from a clinician. If you have severe symptoms, fever, or are pregnant, contact a healthcare professional.