Supplements
Our goal is to recommend the best in vitamin, mineral and trace element replacement, since quality of product is critical. Hopefully, if you eat well and use only nutritious natural foods, you will not require much supplementation. But, we are convinced that most Americans do not get enough of the basic nutrients in their diet, and thus require some forms of supplementation. It is also clear that there are new breakthroughs occurring constantly in this field and we will try and apprise you of the need to alter our recommendation. We want to assure you that the products we recommend will withstand the test of time.
Multivitamins and Supplements
There is an ongoing debate on the use of multivitamins and supplements. A National Institutes of Health study recently reviewed many conflicting studies. In their summary, they found that:
·
Supplements of beta-carotene, and vitamins C, E, and zinc did help prevent age-related eye macular degeneration.
·Folic acid should be taken by child-bearing women to prevent birth defects.
·Use of calcium and vitamin D supplements help reduce osteoporosis and bone fractures in postmenopausal women.
·Beta-carotene was not recommended in general, and there has been a link to increased lung cancer in smokers.
·A healthy diet was recommended rather than consuming high-potency vitamins and single-nutrient supplements.
·Exercise promotes a healthy approach. The suggested thirty minutes daily can be an accumulation of various activities from house cleaning to walking to polishing the car.
The potency and formulas of multivitamins and vitamin supplements are unfortunately not regulated by the FDA. Many of the claims made for these products are only partially valid, and many are untruthful.
What Multiple Vitamin, Mineral, and Herbal Supplements Can You Trust?
Those products that bear the “USP Verified” seal will help you in selecting high-quality supplements. USP (United States Pharmacopeia) is the official standard setting authority for all prescription, over-the-counter medicines, and dietary supplements manufactured and sold in the United States. They conduct independent testing to assure correct ingredient content, purity, no contaminants, and potency. They also test that the products release the labeled ingredients in the stomach in the appropriate time so they don’t get excreted in the stool. Additionally, they check that the company plants use good manufacturing practices, quality control measures, and recheck products that have been places on store shelves to see that they keep their potency. Look for products with this seal:
Too Much of a Good Thing?
How do you know which dietary supplements to take and how much do you need? The answer to this question really depends on you, your current health conditions, and your diet. As an example: the antioxidant vitamins C & and E and selenium should not be used during chemotherapy or radiotherapy as they can reduce the effectiveness of the therapy. You should consult your doctor, pharmacist, or healthcare provider to personalize your needs.
General Guidelines
The Dietary Reference Intake is a system of nutrition recommendations from the Institute of Medicine of the USA National Academy (IOM). The DRI system is used by both the United States and Canada. It is intended for the general public and health professionals. The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is a part of the DRI system. The complete guideline can be found at: http://www.iom.edu/Object.File/Master/21/372/0.pdf
Specific Dietary Supplements
If you are considering supplements here are some specific products which carry the USP Verified certificate:
