Do We Need Supplements?
Posted by Katie Alfieri on Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Under: Health tips
Many of us feel that we eat right so there is no need to take a multi-vitamin right? Well, according to Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) surveys, only 11 percent of
Americans meet the USDA'S guidelines for eating five to nine servings of fresh fruit and vegetables
daily.
This is significant because there are approximately 40 micro nutrients found in fruits and vegetables that help us to live and thrive. On average, Americans eat too much white sugar and flour, poor quality fats and meats, and not enough nuts, complex grains, fruits and veggies. In a recent article, nutrition researcher Bruce Ames says nutrient shortfalls in modern diets are now so widespread, and the increased risk of major chronic disease so likely, that we can't afford to wait for definitive scientific proof of the role of supplements or for our habits at the table to improve. If you aren't sure you're eating a perfect diet (and who among us is certain we eat five to nine servings of fresh produce each day?), supplements can even the score. "My feeling is you try to eat a good balanced diet, cut out sugary soft drinks and empty calories, but take a multivitamin as insurance," says Ames.
That being said, how do you choose which multivitamin is right for you? My suggestion is do not base it on cost. Remember, you are taking a supplement to help you ward off disease. Sometimes the cheapest brands out there are the equivalent of eating sugary, fatty foods. You want something that is pharmaceutical grade and readily absorbed by your body. My favorite brand is Nutrametrix. I love it because due to it's isotonic form, it's absorbed into your body within 5 minutes. The term “isotonic” refers to having the same fluid pressure as your own tears, plasma and lymph. Normally, when food is consumed, it goes through a lengthy process in the stomach to become an isotonic solution before it is passed to the small intestine for absorption. Since Isotonix supplements are already in an isotonic solution upon ingestion, they undergo very little dilution and digestion in the stomach, allowing for rapid absorption by the intestine.
A good way to test your own pills absorption rate is to put them in a glass and add a tablespoon of vinegar. The vinegar mimics your stomach acids, and whatever is broken down in a half hour is what your body absorbs. A nurse I know refers to one popular brand of vitamin as a "bed pan bullet". Yup you guessed it, how it goes in is how it comes out. Sure it might only be $8/month, but it's like taking $8 and flushing it down the toilet.
If you do decide to purchase the Nutrametrix vitamins I have two tips for you. One, never store the plastic measuring cup on the bottle after you use it. (Any moisture that seeps into the product will cause it to cake.) Two, it tastes like citrus, so if you hate the taste of oranges, don't buy it. Also, if you enjoy the product then next time you order buy the 90 day supply. It will reduce your cost down to $17/month, which is a great deal for a high quality vitamin.
This is significant because there are approximately 40 micro nutrients found in fruits and vegetables that help us to live and thrive. On average, Americans eat too much white sugar and flour, poor quality fats and meats, and not enough nuts, complex grains, fruits and veggies. In a recent article, nutrition researcher Bruce Ames says nutrient shortfalls in modern diets are now so widespread, and the increased risk of major chronic disease so likely, that we can't afford to wait for definitive scientific proof of the role of supplements or for our habits at the table to improve. If you aren't sure you're eating a perfect diet (and who among us is certain we eat five to nine servings of fresh produce each day?), supplements can even the score. "My feeling is you try to eat a good balanced diet, cut out sugary soft drinks and empty calories, but take a multivitamin as insurance," says Ames.
That being said, how do you choose which multivitamin is right for you? My suggestion is do not base it on cost. Remember, you are taking a supplement to help you ward off disease. Sometimes the cheapest brands out there are the equivalent of eating sugary, fatty foods. You want something that is pharmaceutical grade and readily absorbed by your body. My favorite brand is Nutrametrix. I love it because due to it's isotonic form, it's absorbed into your body within 5 minutes. The term “isotonic” refers to having the same fluid pressure as your own tears, plasma and lymph. Normally, when food is consumed, it goes through a lengthy process in the stomach to become an isotonic solution before it is passed to the small intestine for absorption. Since Isotonix supplements are already in an isotonic solution upon ingestion, they undergo very little dilution and digestion in the stomach, allowing for rapid absorption by the intestine.
A good way to test your own pills absorption rate is to put them in a glass and add a tablespoon of vinegar. The vinegar mimics your stomach acids, and whatever is broken down in a half hour is what your body absorbs. A nurse I know refers to one popular brand of vitamin as a "bed pan bullet". Yup you guessed it, how it goes in is how it comes out. Sure it might only be $8/month, but it's like taking $8 and flushing it down the toilet.
If you do decide to purchase the Nutrametrix vitamins I have two tips for you. One, never store the plastic measuring cup on the bottle after you use it. (Any moisture that seeps into the product will cause it to cake.) Two, it tastes like citrus, so if you hate the taste of oranges, don't buy it. Also, if you enjoy the product then next time you order buy the 90 day supply. It will reduce your cost down to $17/month, which is a great deal for a high quality vitamin.
In : Health tips
Tags: vitamins supplements
