| Yes, Doctors are now recommending to their | | | | vitamins, minerals, macronutrients and phytonutrients |
| patients that they supplement. Why? Many people do | | | | needed to sustain optimal health. |
| not consume an optimal amount of all vitamins by | | | | Bioavailability is the key to maximizing Nutrient intake |
| diet alone. Unhealthy lifestyle such as poor eating | | | | This means the amount of or rate at which a |
| habits, of course have taken their toll on our health. | | | | substance is accessible to the body. Bioavailability can |
| But what if I eat all organic, good stuff, you say? It | | | | be an issue with vitamins. Many people take their |
| would be nice if that were enough. Unfortunately, | | | | vitamins and supplements in pill form, which may be |
| because our soil is depleted of nutrients, the average | | | | passing through them largely undigested, unused and |
| vegetable found in today's supermarket is anywhere | | | | unable to do their body any good. Much greater |
| from 5% to 40% lower in minerals than those | | | | absorption happens when the vitamins are in liquid |
| harvested 50 years ago. | | | | form. |
| OK, so what's the big deal? The big deal is that we | | | | Synergism Enhances Nutrient Benefits Synergism is |
| are killing ourselves with a fork - what we eat on a | | | | what is called when nutrients work together. It's |
| daily, weekly, monthly basis is SO tied to our health | | | | often the combination of nutrients that offers the |
| that our bodies have started showing the results of | | | | most powerful support in preventing disease. That's |
| our poor diet - cancer, heart disease, diabetes and a | | | | why simply popping a Vitamin C or Vitamin E pill alone |
| host of other health issues are directly linked to our | | | | is not very effective. For example, Vitamin C works |
| nutrient deficiencies. 80% of cancers and other | | | | synergistically with vitamin E to enhance immune |
| diseases are diet related! Unfortunately, toxins in the | | | | function. And vitamin D and calcium are key partners. |
| environment, and pesticides and preservatives in our | | | | One doesn't work without the other. |
| food supply contribute to our demise. | | | | Choose wisely: All Supplements Are Not Created |
| So, what can I do? Well, some you already know. | | | | Equal Quality testing by consumer watch-dog groups |
| Exercise regularly, cut down on your stress and eat | | | | shows that not all nutritional supplements contain the |
| right. Eating right includes supplementing your diet. But | | | | full amount of nutrients promised on the label. Many |
| before you run down to the corner pharmacy and | | | | failed to contain the labeled amount of at least one |
| buy a $10 multivitamin, you must consider whether | | | | nutrient, and several did not dissolve adequately. |
| that is going to be your best solution. Let's talk about | | | | Other companies use substandard ingredients and |
| a few things to consider. | | | | manufacturing practices that cause the product to |
| Go beyond the minimum The governments RDA | | | | vary widely from batch to batch. Look for |
| (recommended daily allowance) was established in the | | | | supplements manufactured by a reputable company |
| 1940s - they are severely outdated and were | | | | that ensures its products' potency and quality. |
| designed to prevent diseases such as rickets and | | | | Supplements also should have GMP (good |
| scurvy. In 1997 the Food and Nutrition board created | | | | manufacturing practice) compliance, state of the art |
| DRI (Dietary Reference Intake). This scale goes | | | | manufacturing and research facilities and quality |
| beyond the minimums and reflects amounts of | | | | control measures in place. |