Getting Your Vitamins - From Your Plate or your Pill?
Taking a vitamin pill as a part of the daily routine is quite common today. Whether they are a part of weight loss programs or for good hair or eyes – the market is flooded with different varieties to suit one’s purpose. But are they necessary? Does one really need all these supplements? Our body requires vitamins for its growth and development. Vitamins help to boost immunity, Guest Posting strengthen the bones, heal wounds, improve eyesight, keep skin healthy, etc. Vitamins also play important roles in bodily functions such as metabolism and digestion. Inadequate intake of vitamins makes you feel lethargic, susceptible to infections and other complications. Where do we get the vitamins from? A well-stocked pantry with real foods sufficiently provides the necessary vitamins. So, how about a vitamin pill? Most people today vote for the vitamin pill considering that they have an essential role to play in our bodies. But do the vitamins from the pill match the biologically active compounds coming from natural foods? It is possible to get your daily requirement of vitamins through the food on your plate instead of medicines from the drug store. The vitamins that you get from food also provides an abundance of other nutrients and fiber that the pills or medicines lack. The best way once can fulfil their requirement of vitamins is by eating a healthy and balanced diet. Multivitamin pills or medicines seem easy to take and give you some benefit, but they are in a synthetic form and not in the natural form. Also, there is little or no evidence saying that the supplements that one takes can actually improve health. So, which are the vitamins that our body needs on a regular basis to maintain good health? VITAMIN A Vitamin A promotes growth and development, improves the eyesight, promotes immune system health, plays a role in reproduction and also helps in developing healthy hair, nails and skin. However, over-consumption of this vitamin can be toxic. Food Sources: Green leafy vegetables, green and yellow-orange vegetables such as broccoli, carrot, sweet potatoes, red pumpkin, and bell peppers, yellow-orange fruits like mango, cantaloupe, apricots etc. It is also found in non-vegetarian foods like meat, fish, eggs, chicken etc. VITAMIN E Vitamin E is an antioxidant. It protects your cells from damage. It also helps in building up strong immunity and keeps skin and eyes healthy. High doses of this vitamin can cause serious side effects. Food Sources: Green leafy vegetables like spinach, broccoli and kale, nuts & oilseeds such as almonds, walnuts, peanuts, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds etc. VITAMIN D One of the main roles of Vitamin D is boosting calcium absorption. A vitamin D deficiency can lead to osteoporosis and has been linked to certain cancers, might lead to type 1 diabetes, and other chronic illnesses. It also has a role to play in your immune system. Food Sources: Little amount of vitamin D is found in fatty fish like tuna, salmon etc, cheese and egg yolk also provide some vitamin D. However, the major source of vitamin D is sunlight as the body produces its own when exposed to sunlight.
VITAMIN K
Vitamin K seems to play a role in bone health according to some studies. Vitamin K plays a key role in blood clotting. Food Sources: Dark green leafy vegetables like kale, spinach, mustard greens, lettuce, vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage. Non-vegetarian foods like fish, liver, meat and eggs contain in small amounts. VITAMIN C Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps in maintaining a healthy immune system and also protects the cells from oxidative damage. It is also important as it helps in the absorption of iron. Maintaining cartilage, bones and teeth and wound healing are some important functions that this vitamin also plays. Food Sources: Citrus fruits like orange, strawberries, guava, kiwi, pineapple and mango etc. vegetables like bell pepper (red and green), broccoli, leafy green vegetables like spinach, cabbage, etc. B Vitamins B vitamins are a group of vitamins like thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folic acid and pantothenic acid. These vitamins are essential for converting our food into fuel. Besides this, they also promote healthy skin and hair, etc. Food Sources: Milk, cheese, eggs, liver, meat, chicken, fish such as tuna, mackerel, salmon, shellfish such as oysters and clams, dark green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, vegetables like beetroot, potatoes, and avocados, fruits such as all the citrus fruits, banana and watermelon, cereals and whole grains, beans such as kidney beans, black beans and chickpeas, nuts and seeds, etc. DO VITAMINS HELP IN WEIGHT LOSS? Thyroid hormones in our body regulate how our body cells use energy, which affects our metabolism. Vitamin A plays an important role in thyroid hormone regulation and insufficient intake of vitamin A is associated with reduced levels of thyroid hormones which may cause parts of your body to slow down and decrease your metabolism. Eating enough of vitamin A rich foods will help to keep your metabolism good. According to a study people who are overweight or obese tend to have lower levels of vitamin C. This study that was published in Journal of the American College of Nutrition said that increasing your intake of vitamin C may help you to burn up to 30 per cent more fat during moderate-intensity exercises, such as a brisk walk. B - Vitamins help to control appetite and keep up the energy levels which may help in weight loss. IMPORTANCE OF VITAMINS IN SPORTS The training intensity of the athletes leads to damage of the connective tissues. Vitamin C is important for the repair of connective tissue. Vitamin C, vitamin A and vitamin E are important antioxidants; they may help to reverse some of the oxidative damage that can occur from exercise. This oxidative damage caused by free radicals may interfere with the cells' ability to function normally and is believed to play a role in many different health conditions, including the ageing process, cancer, and heart disease. Physically active people who have a poor nutritional status for B vitamins may have decreased the ability to perform exercise at higher intensities. This is because the B vitamins help in extracting energy from food. Vitamin D deficiency in sportspersons can lead to stress fractures and musculoskeletal pain. Currently, there are no scientifically backed studies stating that pills are a better option for real foods with reference to vitamins for good health. Most people get their daily dose of vitamins from a balanced diet without the need for a pill. However, there is a class of people that benefits immensely from the vitamin pill. For example, ageing people, people who may be undergoing a surgery, pregnant women, etc. Dietitians in Mumbai can help you chalk out a healthy food plan that takes care of the vitamins in your diet. The weight loss programs they provide include food plans that help cover most of the vitamins in the diet. Supplements are not a way of life even for those in active sports hence, a sports nutritionist is always available to counsel the budding and elite sportspersons on the importance of getting the vitamins from the food and not supplements.
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How Vitamins Can Save Your Life!
Vitamins are highly essential for our health. However, many people fail to identify the importance of vitamin consumption because most of them don’t realize what vitamins can do for their health. Vitamin C is highly beneficial for our body as it fights various diseases and keeps us healthy. We all have grown up hearing our parents that how important vitamins are for our health & body. Now & then, Guest Posting we all are also bombarded by companies with their vitamin ads, and it is basic thing to know that vitamins are valuable to the human body. Shockingly, numerous individuals don't know precisely how vitamins are valuable, especially vitamin C. Knowing how vitamins can be useful, and other imperative data about vitamins can help anybody choose the right vitamins to take and demonstrates their actual advantages. Two Types of Vitamins It is critical to comprehend that there are two kinds of vitamins – fat soluble and water- soluble. Fat- soluble vitamins are usually kept in the fatty tissues and in our liver by our body. The vitamins stay in the fat until they are required. At the point when the vitamins are needed, carriers assigned to this task take them to the source. The time frame for which fat-soluble vitamins stay in the body can be near about six months. Some of the fat-soluble vitamins are Vitamins A, D, E, and K. The second sort of vitamin is water-soluble, which are entirely different as fat-soluble vitamins since they are kept in the body. Water-soluble vitamins are transferred through the bloodstream, and an amount which isn’t used by the body turns out during urination. Therefore, these vitamins should be supplied frequently in light of the fact that they don't stay in the body for a long period of time. Some water-soluble vitamins are vitamin C, B1, B2, B6, B12, biotin, niacin, and pantothenic acid.
What Do Vitamins Do?
A great many people comprehend that vitamins are useful, but they don't know precisely what every vitamin does. Let’s talk about vitamin C, for instance. Did you know that Vitamin C keeps body tissues healthy, for example, muscles and gums. Vitamin C can oppose contamination and recuperates wounds. Vitamin C offers loads of benefits just like other vitamins. How To Get Vitamins For most kids, consumption of healthy food can give them with every single vitamin required. In any case, a few grown-ups might be encouraged to take vitamins, keeping in mind the end goal to get their daily prescribed amounts. The most ideal approach to get vitamins is to have a balance diet. However, for large intake, which is often not possible orally, you can go for Intravenous Vitamin C treatment. Before buying food items, you should always check back of the product to see the amount of minerals and vitamins it contains. There are many food items which contain large amounts of different vitamins. Did you know that eggs contain vitamins A, B, D, and E and Orange Juice is rich in vitamin C? Food items, especially guava, papaya and citrus fruits are an excellent source of vitamin C. However, if you wish to get high amount of Vitamin C in your body, then Intravenous Vitamin C treatment will be ideal for you.
Liquid Vitamins and Minerals vs. Vitamin Supplement Pills
Information regarding the different forms and benefits of Liquid Vitamin is given in this article. Vitamins are an organic substance (such as fruits) used to boast ones health. Liquid vitamins and minerals are the same thing, Guest Posting but instead of eating fruits and vegetables for vitamins, these can be store-bought and contain the vitamins from fruits and vegetables. The other option for taking vitamins is in a pill. The transition of vitamin supplement pills to liquid vitamins and minerals is taking place; more and more people are switching to liquid vitamins and minerals. Because liquid vitamins and minerals have much higher absorption rates than vitamin supplement pills, they work faster than the pills, but not necessarily better. Some companies produce vitamin supplement pills that are packed too densely, causing users to not absorb all the vitamins in the pill. Other liquid vitamin and mineral producers add water to their vitamin products, causing customers to pay more than it is worth, and not get the full amount of vitamins needed.
Liquid vitamins and minerals have these qualities that vitamin supplement pills have:
1. Gives you better health. Vitamins are needed in order to live healthily and to be happy. Note: Not all vitamins can be taken at all ages. 2. Enhance strength and immune system. Eating fruits and vegetables also have these effects, but it is said that vegetables nowadays do not have as much vitamins and minerals as they did in the 1800~{!/~}s. 3. Provide more energy needed for sports and endurance. Athletes need more vitamins than office workers because they need more energy to play their sport. Liquid vitamins and minerals are usually preferred. 4. Provide more energy for late-night workers. There are all kinds of jobs out there, and some jobs last or start very late. Vitamins provide the energy needed for that day and the next day. 5. Help cure eating disorders. Eating disorders occur because of the lack of vitamins. Taking liquid vitamins and minerals or vitamin supplement pills help cure them. There are, however, some qualities that liquid vitamins and minerals have that vitamin supplement pills do not: 1. Effects are seen faster. While vitamin supplement pills produce effects in two to three months, liquid vitamins and minerals can produce the same effects in one to two weeks. This can be an advantage to people who need vitamins right away. 2. Effects can be maximized. Some liquid vitamin and mineral firms produce vitamins with maximized effects which are delivered to the body cells and are rich in proteins. 3. Easier to take. Vitamin supplement pills require you to pop the pill and take. Liquid vitamins and minerals are liquid, so you are not required to go through any popping of pills. 4. Better in taste. Most liquid vitamins and minerals are better in taste than vitamin supplement pills, and if the vitamins are expected to cure an illness, it is easier to soothe the patient into taking the vitamins. Liquid vitamins and minerals are generally better than vitamin supplement pills, but the liquid vitamins have a bigger chance to be fraud (i.e. adding water to existing liquid), so it is your choice to take the chance or not.
All About Vitamins
Vitamins may be distinct as potent organic compounds, which is establish in foods in variable and a minute quantity, and must be supplied to the animal organisms from external sources, so that definite physiological functions, very important to life, may go on normally. They are neither oxidized to supply energy nor used to construct structures. A number of centuries ago when Europeans first start to take long voyages by sea,Guest Posting many of the sailors would come down with a strange disease, scurvy that seemed to affect the larger joints of the body. It was a peculiar form of arthritis, frequently connected with bleeding into the joints. The gums would also be affecting, and the teeth would loosen and fall out. Patients would feel weak, tired and irritable, and would complain of pain and aching in the muscles. But this strange disease forever cleared up soon after the sailors reach land and start to consume fresh fruits and vegetables. What was this secret substance in fruits and vegetables that prevented scurvy? No one knew for sure. But a few wise doctors in the British navy prescribed a plentiful supply of limes and lemons for the sailors. The limes and lemons provided a sufficient supply of vitamin C. Thus scurvy, which we now know is due to a short of vitamin C, was the first deficiency disease to be recognized and treated effectively. During the nineteenth century another strange disease was familiar. Someone called the disease beriberi, a name still used by doctors nowadays. It was this strange disease that led to the real discovery of vitamins. A Dutch scientist, Eijkman, while working in Indonesia noted that this disease was more prevalent where people were crowded jointly. He assumed a deficiency in the diet of the poorer people. Doctors all over the world were intensely interested as soon as these extraordinary findings were discovered. This opened a whole new idea in the treatment of disease. Someone coined the word "vitamin", and doctors soon stat to discover other vitamins and their functions in the body. Vitamin is not a food although it is typically present in the foods we eat. Nor it is a food supplement. Vitamins do not give energy, nor do they build up worn out tissues. Still a man cannot survive without vitamins. Many of the vitamins are required in very small amounts, yet vitamins play a very important role in most chemical reactions within the body. A lot of of these cell reactions are carried on through enzymes, each different kind of enzyme being responsible for carrying on some particular chemical reaction within the body. Enzymes are made up of a mixture of vitamins and minerals, all joined together in a highly complex fashion. If only one vitamin happens to be missing, that enzyme cannot be formed and some significant function of the body cannot be carried out. Where do vitamins come from? They are built up in plants and they are establishing in all fresh foods. However, some vitamins particularly vitamin C, can be destroyed by excessive cooking. Drying or contact to sun and wind may also destroy them. Other vitamins are not so easily damaged. They will stand cooking and boiling without being changed. But many of these vitamins are water-soluble and are thrown away while the cooking water is drained off. Vitamins work in different-different ways, and are frequently closely related to each other in their reactions within the body. Most vitamins do not take place alone. They are frequently found in pairs or groups.
The general characteristics of the vitamins are given below:
1. The vitamins are extensively distributed in nature both in animal and vegetable kingdoms. All vitamins are manufactured in plants. Approximately all common articles of food include more than one vitamin. 2. Vitamins can execute their work in very small quantities. Hence, the entire every day requirement is usually very small. The everyday require of any vitamin for any individual is not a fixed quantity. It varies according to the speed of metabolism. In people undergoing heavy muscular work, in pregnancy, lactation, growing children, the vitamin requirement is high. Normally, a man doing normal work can get enough vitamins from his balanced mixed diet. 3. Vitamins can be stored in the body to some level, for instance the fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the liver and subcutaneous tissue, vitamin C in adrenal cortex etc. 4. Vitamins are partly damaged and are partly excreted. 5. A number of vitamins are synthesized in the body. Some family members of vitamin B complex are synthesized by microorganisms in the intestinal area. 6. Vitamins are not damaged in the digestive process and are, therefore, absorbed as such. Hence all vitamins are successful when administered orally. 7. Although they are necessary for life, until now all vitamins are not essential for all the species of animals. The physiological necessity is net with the synthesis of an exacting vitamin in the organism. 8. A number of of vitamins are soluble in water and others are fat-soluble. 9. Most of the vitamins have been unnaturally synthesized. 10. Their mode of action is not obviously known. Some of them have been proved to behave as coenzyme of other metabolic enzymes. Since the enzyme system of a tissue is specific in nature, it is fairly reasonable that, an exacting vitamin acts selectively upon one tissue. This helps us to give details why the deficiency of a particular vitamin specifically affects some tissues and systems and leaves others more or less undamaged. Vitamins are divided into two groups: - Fat-soluble vitamins, which includes vitamins A, D, E and K. - Water soluble vitamins which includes vitamins of the B-group and vitamin C Now if we were all completely healthy, and continued to consume the correct food, we would almost certainly remain strong and vigorous all the days. But most of us are not this opportune. We have all present at birth certain weaknesses, and none have ideal health. We must therefore be assured our diet contains all elements essential for good health, and these contain minerals and vitamins. Vitamins can be evaluated from simple blood test like Vitamin B12 test, Vitamin B Complex etc. Debunking the Debate: The Vitamin Controversy
The debate over vitamins still rages. Do we really them? Are synthetics just as good as natural? Which vitamins and minerals do we need? What's the proper dosage? Which brands are best? Tom Gruber debunks the debate with authoritative answers.
Ever since I became an independent distributor of vitamins, Guest Posting friends and acquaintances have been looking up to me as an expert in the field of nutrition. It's one thing to understand a matter well enough to be convinced if it's truth yourself. This I have done by becoming an avid reader. But it's a horse of a different color to equip oneself to explain those truths to others persuasively and authoritatively, in simple layman's language. This is especially true when it comes to a subject as complex as vitamins because there exists a shroud of confusion and misinformation surrounding this controversial topic. There are four reoccurring questions that people ask over and over again: 1. If I eat properly, why can't I get all the vitamins and minerals my body needs from my diet alone? 2. Are synthetic vitamins as good as all-natural vitamins? 3. Which vitamins and minerals should I take and in what quantities? 4. With all the multi-vitamin supplements on the market today, how do I know which brand is the best? These questions are both complex and important. So let me address them one at a time. Question #1: If I eat properly, why can't I get all the vitamins and minerals my body needs from my diet alone? My Answer: My answer is yes, "if" you were to eat properly, you would get all the vitamins and minerals from your diet alone and therefore you would not need to supplement your diet. But that's a very big "if" because we don't live in The Garden of Eden. That's like saying, "I would not need car insurance 'if' I never got into an automobile accident." (Actually you would still need car insurance because it's illegal to drive without it.) Vitamins are like insurance; quality vitamins taken in proper dosages prevent illness and insure wellness. The biggest culprit is the way our foods are processed. Numerous studies conclude that the nutritional content of many food products found in our supermarkets is a small fraction of what it should be. Organic foods are much more nutritious, but also more expensive, which makes them cost-prohibitive for many people. It's becoming increasingly difficult in today's fast-paced society to get everything we need to nutritionally support our bodies from our diet alone. Therefore, taking a quality nutritional supplement is critically essential for most of us. Question #2: Are synthetic vitamins as good as all-natural vitamins? My Answer: Some claim that synthetic vitamins are just as good as all-natural vitamins made from whole-food sources. Of course, the manufacturers of synthetic vitamins want you to believe this, while distributors of natural vitamins (like myself) do not. Both sides have an agenda. If synthetic vitamins really are just as good as natural vitamins, there is no logical reason to take natural vitamins because synthetic vitamins are much cheaper. Since I am a distributor of natural vitamins, you might assume that I am biased. Nevertheless, I sincerely believe the weight of evidence is on my side. Numerous studies conclude that synthetic vitamins are simply not as effective. In fact, they may even be dangerous. Whether or not science has been able to fully duplicate vitamins in the lab is still open for debate. Some say yes, some say no. But there's more to the debate than that. An important consideration that many have overlooked is simply this: In order for vitamins to work properly, they must work together with several other components, i.e. enzymes, co-enzymes, and cofactors. Otherwise, they simply will not produce nature's intended effects in our bodies. Vitamins, therefore, are not solitary components that act on their own. When we get our vitamins from a whole food source, such as an organic fruit or vegetable, or a whole food vitamin supplement, all the necessary components are already there. The problem with synthetic vitamins is that they only contain isolated portions of the vitamins that are found naturally in organic foods. Tragically, the vast majority of vitamins on the market are synthetic. Consider synthetic Vitamin C as a prime example. Think of Vitamin C as an orange. Most Vitamin C supplements contain only Ascorbic Acid or a compound called Ascorbate. Ascorbic Acid is simply a protective shell for the entire Vitamin C complex. To say Ascorbic Acid is Vitamin C is a half-truth. It's almost like saying an orange peel is the same thing as an orange. When we get our Vitamin C from quality oranges or other whole foods, we not only get Ascorbic Acid, we also get these other essential components: Rutin, Bioflavonoids, Factor K, Factor J, Factor P, Tyrosinase, and Ascorbinogen. So here's the problem with synthetic Vitamin C. Since a synthetic Vitamin C product only contains Ascorbic Acid, your body must gather Rutin, Bioflavonoids, Factor K, Factor J, Factor P, Tyrosinase, and Ascorbinogen from your body’s tissues in order to make use of it. And what happens if your body does not have adequate reserves of these other components? The Ascorbic Acid all by itself does not provide any of the health benefits that the full Vitamin C complex does. After circulating through your system, the unused Ascorbic Acid is eliminated through your urine. So it is essentially true that paying for vitamins is like paying for expensive urine - but that ONLY applies to synthetic vitamins, NOT to All-Natural Whole-Food vitamins. Most of the other vitamins also need enzymes, co-enzymes, co-factors, and even minerals to obtain their full health benefits. Vitamin D has twelve different active components. Vitamin E needs the mineral Selenium to produce anti-oxidative effects. The Dangers of Synthetic Vitamins. It's one thing to say synthetic vitamins are inadequate. It's quite another to claim they may be dangerous. After all, certainly a dangerous vitamin supplement couldn't legally be sold in a store or over the internet, could it? According to a May 2004 Consumer Report investigation, "many dangerous supplements can easily be purchased in stores and online. "But isn't the FDA there to protect us? According to Bruce Silverglade, legal director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a consumer-advocacy group based in Washington, D.C.:
“The standards for demonstrating a supplement is hazardous are so high that it can take the FDA years to build a case. ” Nevertheless, many dangerous side effects of synthetic vitamins have been well-documented. Allow me to cite just a few.
Two Independent Studies Conclude: Taking Synthetic Vitamins is Worse Than Starvation. Two independent studies on synthetic vitamins both reached the conclusion that taking synthetic vitamins is worse than starvation. One was a recent Finnish study published in the New England Journal of Medicine; the other was the result of experiments performed at the University of California in Berkley. Why Silver Foxes Don't Take Synthetic Vitamins as early as 1940, a Scandinavian Veterinarian Journal detailed a vitamin experiment performed on Silver Foxes. The first group was fed synthetic Vitamin B while the second group was given all-natural sources of B complex. Three things happened to the first group: 1) They did not grow. 2) The quality of their fur deteriorated. And 3) they died prematurely. (The Scandinavian Veterinarian Journal, 1940, Volume 30.)Meanwhile, everything was normal with the second group. Synthetic Vitamin D Causes Complications In PregnancyAnother report involved synthetic Vitamin D and human pregnancy. Vitamin D was given to 500 pregnant women. Some were given synthetic Vitamin D, others were given natural Vitamin D. All the women given synthetic Vitamin D developed diseased kidneys. None of the women given natural Vitamin D had any problems with their kidneys. ( Dr. Weston A. Prince, Nutrition and Physical Degeneration.) Synthetic Vitamin B Causes Sterility in Pigs, Another report involved pigs and Vitamin B. This study was done clear back in 1939. The first group of pigs was fed synthetic Vitamin B. The second group was fed natural Vitamin B. All of the offspring from the pigs fed synthetic Vitamin B were sterile. None of the offspring from the parents fed natural Vitamin B were sterile. (Study by Dr. Barnett Sure, Jol. Nurt., Aug., 1939)So unless you're a nutritional masochist, getting your nutrients from whole food sources is your best option because whole foods provide complete vitamins and minerals rather than fractions of them. Question #3: Which vitamins and minerals should I take and in what quantities? My Answer: Your body needs everything from A to Zinc. Here are five examples: 1. Vitamin A is important for healthy vision, bone growth, reproduction, cell division, and more. It also helps regulate our immune system. 2. The Vitamin B-Complex Group is responsible for providing energy to your body. The B Vitamins are required for the metabolism of fats and proteins, as well as the health and maintenance of the body's nervous system. 3. Vitamin C provides health benefits to many parts of the body: skin, teeth, bones, adrenal glands, pituitary, the brain, spleen, lungs, lymph nodes, liver, thyroid, pancreas, kidneys, salivary glands, and much more. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant. A deficiency of Vitamin C can result in acute scurvy, which is characterized by easy bruising, loose teeth, superficial bleeding, fragility of blood vessels, poor healing, compromised immunity, and mild anemia. 4. Calcium is essential in muscle contraction, building strong bones and teeth, blood clotting, nerve impulse transmission, regulating heartbeat, and fluid balance within cells. According to "Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Calcium" (March 03, 2006), between 50 percent to 75 percent of adults living in the USA are calcium deficient. Zinc is an essential mineral found in almost every cell. It stimulates the activity of approximately 100 enzymes, which are substances that promote biochemical reactions in your body. Zinc supports a healthy immune system and is needed for the healing of wounds. Zinc also helps maintain your sense of taste and smell, and it is needed for DNA synthesis. Zinc also supports normal growth and development during pregnancy, childhood, and adolescence. How many vitamins and minerals do we need? Humans require thirteen vitamins: Vitamins A, C, D, E and K, and eight B vitamins. As for minerals, we need the following bulk minerals: Calcium, Chlorine, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, and Sulfur. The most important trace mineral elements are: Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Fluorine, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Selenium, and Zinc. Many other minerals have been suggested as required in human nutrition, such as Boron, Nickel, Silicon, Tungsten, and Vanadium. What dosage is best? Knowing how much of a particular vitamin or mineral to take is usually as simple as reading the label. Recommended Daily Allowances (RDAs) were established by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences/National Research Council. The RDA states the amount of a nutrient that is needed for most people to stay healthy. Question #4: With all the multi-vitamin supplements on the market today, how do I know which brand is the best? My Answer: Although there are many multi-vitamin supplements on the market today, we've already established essential criteria in making a wise selection. 1. Choose a vitamin and mineral supplement that is All-Natural and made from Whole-Food sources. Since the vast majority of vitamins are synthetic, this one step alone narrows your search considerably. 2. Choose a vitamin and mineral supplement that has all the vitamins and minerals your body needs in one bottle. Buying a bottle of this and a bottle of that can easily become extremely cost prohibitive. 3. Check the Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA) . Make sure a daily serving contains 100% of the RDA whenever established. 4. Make sure the minerals are chelated. Chelated minerals are easier for your body to absorb. 5. Make sure your vitamins contain probiotics and enzymes. This will insure that your body is digesting food properly. A high-quality multi-vitamin supplement that meets these criteria, accompanied by a healthy diet and proper exercise, will insure optimal health. Isn't your health worth it? [DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed herein are my own, although they have been compiled over the years from my research through books and articles. My opinions should not be considered as medical advice to treat or cure any diseases or illnesses. For these matters, consult a qualified professional.] |
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