Beware the 'Other' Vitamin Supplement Ingredients

Did you know that in most instances the ingredients outlined on your vitamin supplement bottle are not in fact ALL of the ingredients? Did you know that sometimes these 'other' ingredients are in fact less than good for you?

These 'other' ingredients that I'm referring to are known in the industry as 'excipients'. They are a necessary addition to all vitamin supplements and serve to deliver the active ingredients in a convenient and ingestible form.

Excipients are used for a variety of reasons. Binders hold the ingredients in a tablet together while coatings protect the ingredients from deterioration and mask unpleasant tastes. Disintegrants expand and dissolve when releasing the active ingredient for absorption. Fillers increase the size of the tablet or capsule making it more convenient to take, while flavours, colours and sweeteners improve the taste or appearance. Preservatives prevent vitamin supplements from breaking down and sorbents make tablets or capsules water-proof. Glidants, lubricants and antiadherants are also added to support the manufacturing process and to stop tablets or capsules sticking in the machines.

Whilst excipients are a necessary addition to every vitamin supplement, there are certain choices that manufacturers can make to improve the quality of their products. For instance, antioxidants like vitamin A, vitamin E or vitamin C may be used as preservatives instead of synthetic preservatives like Methyl Paraben.

It is these choices which ultimately affect the quality of your vitamin supplement. When you're taking a proactive step in your health regime to take vitamin supplements, you don't want to be ingesting excipients that detract from the quality nutrients you are taking.

One excipient that is currently making a name for itself within fish oil supplements is Polysorbate 80. This excipient is extremely efficient at nautralising fish oil in the gut to reduce fishy reflux burps notoriously associated with fish oil supplements. Polysorbate 80 is a surfactant that is used in kitchen detergents to 'cut through grease'. Better to choose a fish oil that either uses a thicker natural coating or natural flavours to mask the fishy taste.

Some manufacturers also add artificial sweeteners and flavours to their children's products to make them tastier for the child. It's something to think about when your kids are running circles around your living room.

Rest assured that these 'other' ingredients are not known to be harmful. The Theraputic Goods Association (TGA) approves every ingredient in every product before it can be legally sold on Australian shores, rather the use of excipients is an element to be mindful of when you are researching for personal preference and quality vitamin supplements.

So before you make your next vitamin purchase, heed this advice and research the products well.  If the manufacturer does not print the 'inactive' ingredients or 'excipients' on the label, give them a call and if they won't tell you what's in it, don't buy it. Alternatively you could visit Australian vitamin information website HealthyComparisons.com.au to research leading Australian products before your next purchase.

Disclaimer

Healthy Comparisons does not give or purport to give any medical or healthcare advice and is not qualified to do so. You should not under any circumstances substitute qualified medical advice with information found in this fact sheet. The information contained in this fact sheet does not take into account the physical state, medical status or health requirements of any particular individual which are relevant to the proper diagnosis and treatment of any problem, condition or disorder. You should never use or act upon this information without first properly consulting, and seeking proper information and advice from, a qualified healthcare professional. Healthy Comparisons, its related companies and its licensors expressly disclaim all responsibility for and liability in respect of the accuracy of the information provided in the website, its improper application and the consequences of anyone's failure to obtain a proper medical examination and advice from a qualified healthcare professional in the relevant circumstances.

© HealthyComparisons.com.au 2008

Vitamin Glossary

There are 13 vitamins that are vital for our bodies to function and countless others that help us reach optimum health. Here's a list of the 13 vitamins that are necessary for our growth, digestion and nerve function.

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin K
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin B1 - Thiamin
• Vitamin B2 - Riboflavin
• Vitamin B3 - Niacin
• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin B Complex - Folate
• Vitamin B12
• Vitamin B Complex - Biotin
• Vitamin B5 - Pantothenic Acid

Other vitamins have been shown to serve a specific function for various health conditions:

Arthritis:

• Glucosamine
• Chondroitin
• Omega-3 (Fish Oil)
• MSM

Cholesterol:

• Policosanol
• Omega-3 (Flaxseed Oil)
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E

Bone Health

• Calcium
• Vitamin D
• Magnesium
• Vitamin K
• Vitamin C
• Boron

Pregnancy:

• Folic Acid
• Omega-3 (Fish Oil)
• Iodine
• Iron
• Calcium
• Vitamin D

Menopause:

• Black Cohosh
• Vitamin E
• B Vitamins
• Red Clover

Nausea Relief:

• Ginger

Vitamin A

Function: Vitamin A refers to the family of similarly shaped molecules called 'retinoids '. It's a fat soluble vitamin that promotes the health of all the body's cells and tissues. Vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant that assists your immune system and even helps you see in the dark.

Recommended Daily Amount*: 600µg of Vitamin A

Food Sources: liver, fish, eggs, red, yellow and orange fruits, most dark-green leafy vegetables

Deficiency: People deficient in Vitamin A may experience vision problems including night blindness, dry and scaly skin, reproduction problems and poor growth.

Excess Amounts: Too much Vitamin A may lead to birth defects, double vision, vomiting, bone abnormalities, hair loss or liver damage. Vitamin A may be toxic in high doses.

Cautions: Pregnant women be wary as too much vitamin A in early stages of pregnancy may cause birth defects.

Vitamin D

Function: Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that promotes the absorption of calcium from the food or drinks you consume. Vitamin D is present in small quantities in a small number of foods making it difficult to obtain sufficient levels of Vitamin D from food.  Our body produces Vitamin D when direct sunlight hits our skin.          

Recommended Daily Amount*: 5µg of Vitamin D (equivalent to roughly 10 mins of direct sunlight)

Food Sources: Cheese, eggs, salmon, breakfast cereals, margarine.     

Deficiency: Children deficient in vitamin D may develop rickets or defective bone growth. Adults are at greater risk of Osteoporosis.

Excess Amounts: Doses greater than 50µg can cause eating problems, kidney stones, weak muscles or bones, disorientation, coma or death.

Vitamin E

Function: Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps prevent illness and cancer. It's believed that Vitamin E may help prevent and treat heart disease. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant which is believed to help protect cell membranes against the damaging effects of free radicals.

Recommended Daily Amount*: 10mg of Vitamin E

Food Sources: Vegetable oils, nuts, seeds and green leafy vegetables

Deficiency: Deficiencies are very rare as Vitamin E is abundant in many foods. However, people deficient in Vitamin E may experience problems with their nervous system and premature or low birth-weight babies.

Excess Amounts: May enhance the effect of some anticoagulant drugs

Vitamin K

Function: Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that is partially synthesised in the gastrointestinal tract. It is an essential nutrient for blood clotting.

Recommended Daily Amount*: 80µg of Vitamin K

Food Sources:  Green leafy vegetables, milk, meat, eggs, cereal, fruits and other vegetables.

Deficiency: Long-term antibiotic therapy, chronic diarrhoea or impaired gall bladder function may increase risk of K deficiency.

Excess Amounts: Excess dosages of Vitamin K may increase the risk of jaundice and may result in liver damage or anaemia.

Vitamin C

Function: Vitamin C is a water-soluble antioxidant that helps the body absorb iron from food. It helps build and repair red blood cells, bones and tissues, protects against bruising, keeps the walls of blood vessels firm and helps protect from infection by keeping the immune system healthy.

Recommended Daily Amount*: 75mg of Vitamin C

Food Sources: Citrus fruits, green vegetables, berries, tomatoes and berries.

Deficiency: Deficiencies in Vitamin C causes scurvy.

Excess Amounts: May cause diahorrhea or gastrointestinal discomfort.

Cautions: Vitamin C supplementation may interfere with tests for blood sugar level.

Vitamin B1 - Thiamin

Function:  Thiamin is a water-soluble vitamin that is a cofactor in the conversion of glucose to other sugars. It helps the body's cells produce energy.

Recommended Daily Amount*: 1.4mg of Thiamin

Food Sources: Whole grains, nuts, beans, fish and pork

Deficiency: Thiamin deficiency may result in irritability, depression, muscle weakness and poor coordination.

Excess Amounts: Excess amounts of Thiamin are expelled in the urine.

Cautions: Alcoholics are frequently low in Thiamin.

Vitamin B2 - Riboflavin

Function: Vitamin B2 is a water-soluble vitamin that supports the metabolism of energy and is required in the support of bodily processes involving Vitamin B6, niacin, folate and Vitamin K.

Recommended Daily Amount*: 1.6mg of Vitamin B2

Food Sources: Milk and dairy products, eggs, meat, green leafy vegetables, nuts, liver, kidney and heart.

Deficiency: Signs of Vitamin B2 deficiency includes include scaly, dry skin, cracks in the skin at the corners of the mouth, swollen purplish tongue and burning, itching eyes.

Excess Amounts: No known cases of riboflavin toxicity have been observed.

Cautions: Ultraviolet light destroys Vitamin B2

Vitamin B3 - Niacin

Function: Niacin is a water-soluble vitamin that supports energy metabolism and helps enzymes function in the body.

Recommended Daily Amount*: 19mg of Niacin

Food Sources: Liver, meat, nuts and whole grains.

Deficiency: Niacin deficiency may cause diahorrhea, skin problems and mental disorientation.

Excess Amounts: May cause liver damage and stomach ulcers.

Vitamin B6

Function: Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin that performs a wide variety of functions in the body. It helps the body make protein and convert tryptophan into niacin and serotonin. It also helps to produce chemicals like haemoglobin, insulin and infection-fighting antibodies.

Recommended Daily Amount*: 2mg of Vitamin B6

Food Sources:  Fortified cereal, potatoes, legumes, nuts, port, kidney, fish and  chicken.

Deficiency: Low levels of Vitamin B6 can lead to depression, nausea and flaky skin

Excess Amounts: May cause nerve damage

Cautions: Low levels of Vitamin B6 are often found in vegetarians.

Vitamin B Complex - Folate – Folic Acid

Function: Folate is a water-soluble vitamin which is important for the production of DNA and RNA to make new cells which is especially important during times of rapid cell division and growth such as infancy and pregnancy. Folic acid is the synthetic form of Folate that is found in supplements and added to fortified foods.

Recommended Daily Amount*: 400µg of Folate

Food Sources: Green leafy vegetables, some fruits, legumes, liver, yeast, wheat germ and fortified cereals.

Deficiency: If Folate levels are low during the first stages of pregnancy, it may lead to neural tube defects in baby.

Excess Amounts: May interfere with medications and provoke epileptic fits if too much Folate is ingested.         

Vitamin B12

Function: Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that works in tandem with Folate to support cellular replication. Vitamin B12 also synthesises myelin to protect nerve fibres.

Recommended Daily Amount*: 6µg of Vitamin B12

Food Sources: Meat and some fortified foods.

Deficiency: Low levels of vitamin B12 may lead to anaemia, nerve damage and very sensitive skin.

Excess Amounts: There are no mentionable cautions.

Cautions: Vitamin B12 deficiency is very common in vegetarians.

Vitamin B Complex - Biotin

Function: Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin that helps the cells metabolise protein, fat and carbohydrates and produce energy.

Recommended Daily Amount*: 30µg of Biotin

Food Sources:Eggs, liver, nuts, breads and cereals.

Deficiency: Biotin deficiency is rarely observed since it is widely available in foods, however symptoms may include hair loss, anorexia, nausea and muscle pains.

Excess Amounts: Excess amounts of Biotin are excreted in the urine.

Vitamin B5 - Pantothenic Acid

Function: Pantothenic acid is a water-soluble vitamin which helps the body's cells produce energy.

Recommended Daily Amount*: 6mg of Pantothenic Acid

Food Sources: Meat, chicken, fish, whole grains, legumes

Deficiency:Deficiencies are rare as Pantothenic acid is widely distributed in the foods we consume.

Excess Amounts:Too much Pantothenic acid may cause diahorrhea or water retention.

Glucosamine

Function: Helps to repair and renew cartilage tissue, allowing joints to move smoothly. Generally used by Arthritis sufferers. Glucosamine is made from crab, lobster or shrimp shells.

Recommended Daily Amount: 1500mg per day for Arthritis Sufferers with noticeable effects in 4-6 weeks

Cautions: Individuals with shellfish allergies, on blood thinning medication, pregnant or with diabetes should be particularly wary.

Chondroitin

Function: Chondroitin is said to help draw water and nutrients into the cartilage to make it more spongy an improve its shock-absorption qualities. It's derived from shark or bovine (cow) cartilage.

Recommended Daily Amount*: 800-1000mg of Chondtroitin is recommended for Arthritis sufferers to notice the effect. Consumers on blood thinning medication should be wary.

Cautions: People on blood-thinning medication should be particularly wary.

Omega-3

Function: Fish oil has been found to relieve pain and joint mobility in Arthritis sufferers. Omega-3s found in Flaxseed oil is believed to reduce levels of LDL and increase levels of HDL in people with high cholesterol.

Recommended Daily Amount*: 450mg of Omega-3 Fish Oil is recommended for Arthritis sufferers. 1 tablespoon of flaxseed oil 2-3 times daily with food is recommended for sufferers of cholesterol.

MSM

Function: MSM is said to have an anti-inflammatory affect for Osteoarthritis sufferers. It's a natural form of sulfer.

Recommended Daily Amount*: Osteoarthritis sufferers are recommended to take 1500mg per day

Policosanol

Function:Policosanol is a natural product that is made from the waxy coating of sugar cane. It has been shown to be effective in lowering levels of LDL and overall levels of cholesterol and has been shown to increase levels of HDL.

Recommended Daily Amount*: A single daily dose of 5 mg to 10 mg

Calcium

Function: Calcium is necessary to keep our bones strong.

Recommended Daily Amount*: 800mg of calcium per day. Children should ingest 1300mg and post-menopausal women shoult take 1200mg per day.

Magnesium

Function: Magnesium is required for the renewal of bone tissue.

Recommended Daily Amount*: Women should take 270mg of magnesium per day and men should take 320mg.

Boron

Function: Boron is said to inhibit the excretion of calcium and megneisum which may help reduce the rate of bone loss.

*The level of essential nutrients considered adequate to meet the needs of practically all healthy people. Children, elderly women, pregnant or lactating women usually have different recommended amounts. Always consult a healthcare professional before taking vitamin supplements.

Folic Acid

Function: There is research to suggest that the risk of child being born with neural tube defects can be significantly reduced if the mother consumes sufficient levels of folic acid prior to conception.

Recommended Daily Amount*: 400ug of folic acid should be consumed by fertile female daily

Iodine:

Function: Iodine deficiencies in a developing foetus may lead to stunted growth, diminished intelligence and retardation.

Recommended Daily Amount*: Pregnant females should ensure that they consume 200ug of iodine each day.

Iron

Function: Pregnant women should ensure that she consumes enough iron to ensure she does not get Anaemia caused by the increase in her supply of blood to support the growing foetus

Recommended Daily Amount*: Pregnant women should consume 27mg of iron per day.

Black Cohosh

Function: Black Cohosh is said to support female health around the time of Menopause and support the physical and emotional changes that occur around this time.

Recommended Daily Amount*: 2mg of active ingredient daily.

Red Clover

Function: Said to reduce the symptoms of Menopause.

Recommended Daily Amount*: Menopausal women recommended 800mg per day.

Ginger

Function: Shown to reduce the symptoms of nausea

Recommended Daily Amount*: Recommended dosage of 1000mg of dried ginger

Disclaimer

Healthy Comparisons does not give or purport to give any medical or healthcare advice and is not qualified to do so. You should not under any circumstances substitute qualified medical advice with information found in this fact sheet. The information contained in this fact sheet does not take into account the physical state, medical  status or health requirements of any particular individual which are relevant to the proper diagnosis and treatment of any problem, condition or disorder. You should never use or act upon this information without first properly consulting, and seeking proper information and advice from, a qualified healthcare professional. Healthy Comparisons, its related companies and its licensors expressly disclaim all responsibility for and liability in respect of the accuracy of the information provided in the website, its improper application and the consequences of anyone's failure to obtain a proper medical examination and advice from a qualified healthcare professional in the relevant circumstances.

© HealthyComparisons.com.au 2008.

Why some people should take vitamin supplements.

Vitamins are nutrients that are essential to our bodies for growth, digestion and nerve function. There are 13 nutrients that are vital to our body and countless others that support our health.

Vitamins are found in various food sources from each of the five food groups and a balanced diet should ensure that your body consumes sufficient amounts of each.

Unfortunately it is sometimes difficult in this fast-paced world to ensure that you are eating a balanced diet, rich with these vitamins and nutrients. We are even seeing a reduction in the quality of fresh produce with over-farmed soils resulting in mineral depletion, making it even harder to ingest recommended daily quantities of these vitamins.

A healthy diet is essential to a healthy body. Vitamin supplements help to ensure that our bodies receive all of the nutrients they need where a balanced diet, rich with minerals might be lacking.

Disclaimer

Healthy Comparisons does not give or purport to give any medical or healthcare advice and is not qualified to do so. You should never use or act upon this information without first properly consulting, and seeking proper information and advice from, a qualified healthcare professional. Healthy Comparisons, its related companies and its licensors expressly disclaim all responsibility for and liability in respect of the accuracy of the information provided in the website, its improper application and the consequences of anyone's failure to obtain a proper medical examination and advice from a qualified healthcare professional in the relevant circumstances.

© HealthyComparisons.com.au 2008

Are Vitamin Supplements Really Necessary?

It is a fact that vitamins are important to a healthy diet. Without certain vitamins, your body could be at risk for disease. There are some studies on how specific vitamins can help specific illnesses. Some of those studies are mentioned below and references are listed at the end of the article.

However, most of the medical community seems to agree that getting your vitamins from whole foods is much better than taking supplements.

There are exceptions to this. For example, if you're pregnant, a folic acid supplement may be prescribed by your doctor. Another example is taking doctor recommended vitamin supplements for a specific illness.

Do not take vitamin supplements without consulting your health care provider, especially if you are on any medications or you have any illness or special health conditions (like pregnancy, anemia, heart condition, etc.).

Here are the most important vitamins:

Vitamin A

• Affects: skin, tissue growth and regeneration, eyes, white blood cells, bone and teeth growth and mucus membranes in mouth, nose, throat, lungs.
• Daily Recommended Dosage: 5,000 IU for men and 4,000 IU for women
• Whole Foods: whole milk, fat-free milk fortified with vitamin A, whole eggs, liver, beef, chicken, dark green leafy vegetables, carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, broccoli, cantaloupe, mangos, apricots, tomato juice.
• Deficiency Symptoms: teeth and gum problems, fatigue, loss of appetite, dry, scaly skin, increase susceptibility to infection, night blindness. (Vitamin A deficiency would be rare in the United States, it occurs mainly in developing countries where people are malnourished.)
• Warnings: High doses of Vitamin A from supplements can cause birth defects, liver problems and reduction in bone density.
• Research: A recent study found that beta carotene along with other antioxidants and zinc may slow down macular degeneration. Your doctor will prescribe the proper vitamins if you have macular degeneration.

Vitamin B6

• Affects: brain and metabolism
• Daily Recommended Dosage: 1.3 to 1.7 milligrams
• Whole Foods: Poultry, fish, pork, eggs, soybeans, oats, whole-grain foods, nuts, seeds and bananas.
• Deficiency Symptoms: skin problems, anemia in adults, convulsions in infants
• Warnings: High doses of B6 may cause nerve damage.

Vitamin B9: Folic Acid

• Affects: developing fetus, red blood cell formation, protein metabolism, growth and cell division
• Daily Recommended Dosage: 400 micrograms
• Whole Foods: Citrus juices and fruits, beans, nuts, seeds, liver, dark green leafy vegetables (spinach, beet greens) and fortified grain products (rice, bread, cereal, pasta).
• Warnings: High doses over 1500 mcg/day should be avoided as it can cause a variety of symptoms like nausea and loss of appetite.
• Research: A Folic acid supplement can reduce the risk of neural tube defects in the developing fetus when taken by the mother before and during pregnancy.

Vitamin B12

• Affects: red blood cells, metabolism and nerves
• Daily Recommended Dosage: 6 micrograms
• Whole Foods: Meat, fish, shellfish, poultry, eggs and dairy products.
• Deficiency Symptoms: memory loss, disorientation, hallucinations, and tingling in the arms and legs

Vitamin C

• Affects: skin, immunity to illness, healing of wounds
• Daily Recommended Dosage: 90 mg for men and 75 mg for women (and an extra 35 mg for smokers)
• Whole Foods: Citrus juice and fruit, berries, tomatoes, potatoes, green and red peppers, broccoli and spinach.
• Deficiency Symptoms: weakness, irritability, weight loss, bleeding gums, infection, gangrene, hemorrhaging, wounds that won’t heal.
• Warnings: Excess vitamin C may cause mild diarrhea
• Research: A recent study found that vitamin C along with other antioxidants and zinc may slow down macular degeneration. Your doctor will prescribe the proper vitamins if you have macular degeneration.

Vitamin D

• Affects: bone, teeth and absorption of calcium
• Daily Recommended Dosage:
  up to age 50: 5 micrograms
  51 '70: 10 micrograms
  after 70: 15 micrograms
• Whole Foods: Vitamin D-fortified milk, vitamin D-fortified cereal, liver, egg yolks, fish and fish liver oils. And Sunlight!
• Deficiency Symptoms: bone softening
• Warnings: Prolonged use of excess Vitamin D is not recommended. Can cause kidney damage, high blood pressure, headaches, and other problems.
• Research: Vitamin D combined with calcium may slow bone loss and reduce fractures.

Vitamin E

• Affects: red blood cells, reproduction, aging
• Daily Recommended Dosage: 15 milligrams from food OR 22 IU from natural-source vitamin E OR 33 IU from the synthetic form
• Whole Foods: Vegetable oils, wheat germ, whole-grain products, avocados, nuts and peanut butter.
• Warnings: In rare cases when Vitamin E is taken in high doses it can cause many types of symptoms including bleeding and gastrointestinal problems.
• Research: A recent study found that vitamin E along with other antioxidants and zinc may slow down macular degeneration. Your doctor will prescribe the proper vitamins if you have macular degeneration. Studies have indicated that Vitamin E may slow Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.

References and important quotes:

American Heart Association Vitamin and Mineral Supplements

"Vitamin or mineral supplements aren't a substitute for a balanced, nutritious diet that limits excess calories, saturated fat, trans fat and dietary cholesterol."

"Scientific evidence does not suggest that consuming antioxidant vitamins can eliminate the need to reduce blood pressure, lower blood cholesterol or stop smoking cigarettes."

National Eye Institute Age Related Eye Disease Study

"High levels of antioxidants and zinc significantly reduce the risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by about 25 percent."

American Academy of Pediatrics Folic Acid for the Prevention of Neural Tube Defects

"The American Academy of Pediatrics endorses the US Public Health Service (USPHS) recommendation that all women capable of becoming pregnant consume 400 µg of folic acid daily to prevent neural tube defects (NTDs)."

Mayo Clinic Using vitamin and mineral supplements wisely (There is quite a bit of information in this article, if you are considering taking vitamin supplements, read this article first.)

"Some nutrients may actually be harmful to your health when taken as a supplement."

"Concentrate on getting your nutrients from food, though, not supplements. Whole foods provide an ideal mix of nutrients, fiber and other food substances. It's likely that all of these work in combination to keep you healthy."

Harvard School of Public Health Vitamins

"There's good evidence that taking a daily multivitamin makes sense for most adults."

Visit Information on Exercise Equipment for dieting and exercise info.

Vitamins and Minerals

The following information is based on the Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand Including Recommended Dietary Intakes. Specific advice for individual needs should be sought from a qualified dietitian.

The term nutrient identifies those substances in food that provide essential nourishment to maintain life.

© Commonwealth of Australia 2005

What To Watch For When Using Nutritional Supplements

Unrated The challenges that must be overcome by a body that has been "doused" with nutritional supplements demonstrates the truth of the old saying, "You can have too much of a good thing." The ingestion of too many nutritional supplements can interfere with the intricacies of the body's biochemistry. It can produce a harmful imbalance in the body's existing nutrients.

Nutritional supplements that contain any of the fat-soluble vitamins can cause a build-up of that vitamin within the body. A build-up of Vitamin A or D can damage the liver, kidney or bones. Still, a nutritional supplement does not have to contain a fat soluble vitamin in order have the potential to inflict harm on the person using it.

Some nutritional supplements contain the water soluble substance called pyridoxine. Pyridoxine has the ability to diminish pre-menstrual bloating, and used in moderation it typically offers important benefits. If used in excess, however, pyridoxine can cause numbness of the mouth and tingling of the hands, signs of neurological damage.

When purchasing any of the nutritional supplements, the wise consumer should seek to discover the exact contents of that supplement. Certain chemicals can trigger migraine headaches, and those chemicals would not serve as a helpful addition to any of the nutritional supplements.

Phenyl ethylamine and histamine are both vasoactive chemicals. They act on blood vessels, and in doing so, they cause migraine headaches. Tyramine and other amines are also capable of causing migraines. None of the above chemicals makes a desirable addition to any of the nutritional supplements.

Ingestion of the wrong nutritional supplement cannot only trigger an unhealthful change, it can also block the beneficial actions of certain medications. For example, nutritional supplements that contain folate can block the action of an anti-seizure medication.

Source: http://www.healthguidance.org/authors/504/Jeanette-Pollock 

Jeanette Pollock

Jeanette Pollock is a freelance author and website owner of http://www.infertilitydomain.com. 

What are the Benefits of Using Nutritional Supplements?

Does eating a healthy balanced diet alone provide all of the nutrients that the human body needs to function correctly?

There are many different types and brands of nutritional supplements available to the consumer, but what are the benefits of using these products?

These are just some of the questions people may have regarding nutritional supplementation and the purpose of this article is to answer these questions.

There are many different types of nutritional products available in the shops today and the health and wellness industry is one of the fastest growing industries at the present time. This is due to many factors including the huge increase in obesity and the increasing numbers of individuals being diagnosed with degenerative disease.

It is commonly believed (especially amongst older generations) that eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly is sufficient to maintain good health, but there is also the conflicting argument that without supplementation, many people's intake of vital nutrients falls far short of their body's requirements.

Before I discuss these issues, I would first like to give a brief overview of some of the vital nutrients that the human body needs to function correctly:

Firstly there are the macronutrients. Macronutrients include Carbohydrates, Proteins and Fats. At the most simplified level, carbohydrates provide our bodies with energy, proteins are responsible for building and repairing muscle tissue and fats provide additional energy reserves and allow for the transportation of micronutrients around the body and are also necessary for the production of many hormones.

Secondly there are micronutrients. Micronutrients include vitamins (also known as anti-oxidants) and minerals. Each vitamin (A, B12, C, D, E, K, etc.) and mineral (Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Zinc, etc.) serves a specific function within the body and all of them are required for good bodily function. Deficiencies in vitamins and minerals have been identified as one of the primary factors in the development of degenerative disease, as vitamins in particular are responsible for the removal of free radicals within the body.

Free radicals are harmful molecules, which are produced by chemical reactions within the human body, as well as by factors in our external environment. They attack healthy cells causing them to break down (degenerate), in the long term potentially leading to the development of degenerative disease.

It has been suggested that in order to maintain human cells in a state of optimum health that 400 IU (International Units) of vitamin E should be consumed on a daily basis. This value is higher the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for a number of reasons:

Firstly, RDAs were established in the 1940s and were guidelines to prevent diseases such as scurvy and rickets and are considered to be considerably out of date. In addition, the external environment in which we live today contains higher levels of pollutants, radiation and other harmful substances, which significantly increases our need for anti-oxidants.

It is known that the levels of vitamins in fresh fruit and vegetables depletes over time, so in order to get the best anti-oxidative defence from our food, we would have to consume them immediately after they were picked. This is very difficult due to the nature of how supermarkets distribute their produce and the shelf lives of these products.

In addition, the process of cooking also reduces the levels of micronutrients in these particular foods.

Vitamin E is the most powerful anti-oxidant and is present in many vegetables, nuts, pulses, etc. To put this into context, an individual would have to consume 14.5 kg of spinach each day to achieve this dosage. Alternatively, 1kg or almonds would provide the optimum protection to the human cells. This example should highlight that it is very difficult to consume 400 IU of vitamin E without incorporating nutritional supplementation.

In summary, I would recommend that almost all individuals use a multi-vitamin and multi-mineral supplement in order to ensure that adequate quantities of vitamins and minerals are consumed. This can assist with correct body function and elevate energy levels throughout the day, but will also reduce free radical damage and cellular degeneration within the body.

Macronutrient supplements (i.e. proteins, meal replacements and healthy snacking options), also serve a purpose to many individuals:

An example would be for vegetarians who generally find it difficult to consume sufficient quantities of protein. In this instance, I would strongly recommend supplementing with a Soy Protein supplement. Soy protein does not contain animal products and can provide all of the essential amino acids that the body requires for building and repairing bodily tissues.

For individuals looking to manage their weight, meal replacements can provide the correct balance of nutrients in a low calorie supplement. I would not recommend that someone rely solely on meal replacements as it is important to also consume whole foods, but meal replacements can be convenient for people with busy lives.

Healthy snacking options also provide an excellent means for receiving a good balance of nutrients with little or no preparation. It would generally be much more beneficial to an individuals health to consume a high quality healthy snack bar than to purchase a snack from a convenience store.

Therefore, the use of macronutrient snack depends on an individual's health goals and personal dietary requirements.

For similar information please visit http://www.healthierlifestyles.co.uk.

Article Source: http://www.articlesworldonline.com

Essential supplements - Nutrition & Environmental Medicine Fact File

About the Author

Dr Greg Emerson is the Founder and Medical Director of the Emerson Health and Wellness Centre which opened in October 2005. He is a consultant in Nutritional and Environmental medicine. He is also a senior specialist in Emergency Medicine and in Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine. For 18 years he practiced in several large public hospitals including a period of time as an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at a major trauma hospital in Canada and as the Director of a leading Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine Unit. He is a lecturer, examiner and current board member for the Australian College of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine and a past-examiner for the Australasian College of Emergency Medicine.

Visit the Emerson Health & Wellness Centre Website for more information.

Balanced Diet: Know More on Healthy and Nutritional Balanced Diet!

In this fast paced world, good nutrition may sound very simple but it is indeed really difficult to practice it. We eat too many processed foods or we tend to miss some meals. Some of us even smoke or drink alcohol. We also choose food on the basis of the taste. This not only make us overeat but also we ignore rich nutrient food items which we feel have bad taste. Foods lose substantial nutritional value during storage. There are many such factors which rob us of the nutrients we need for the maintenance of general well being.

We all talk of balanced diet, but how many of us really know the actual meaning of the balanced diet? Balanced Diet is a diet which has adequate amount of all nutrients required for healthy growth and activity. Sounds simple!

We have divided food into five groups on the basis of their nutrient content which are the most integral part of balanced diet.

Group One :

Wheat, Rice and Cereals. They are major sources of starch, carbohydrates, B-Vitamins and fibre.

Recommended Servings : 6-8 servings daily.

Group Two :

Dairy products. They are major sources of calcium , protein and vitamins (A,B2, B6, B12 and D).

Recommended Servings : 2-4 daily.

Group Three :

Fruits and Vegetables. They are major sources of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates and fibre.

Recommended Servings : 4-6 daily.

Group Four :

Meat, Fish, Poultry and Pulses. They are major sources od protein, Vitamin B12 , zinc and iron.

Recommended Servings : 2-3 daily

Group Five :

Fats, Oils and Sugar. They are major source of energy in our body.

Recommended Servings: Should be barely adequate.

Recommended servings of each group daily comprises a balanced. Now does it still look simple? To make it worse, our hectic life schedules make it more difficult for us to achieve this goal. Hence it has become a challenge now. We cant ignore this vital part of our life too. So we should better gear up for it!

Random Tip: Eating fruits increases your immunity against the development of age-related maculopathy and eye diseases.

About the Author: Jasdeep Singh For http://weightloss-health.com/ your complete and most comprehensive family guide on Health. Also get free sample low carb recipes, low fat recipes, low calorie recipes, low sodium recipes, low sugar recipes at http://weightloss-health.com/low_carb_recipes.htm If you wish to reproduce the above article you are welcome to do so, provided the article is reproduced in its entirety, including this resource box and LIVE link to our website.

Tips For Storing And Handling Vitamins

Most consumers today automatically believe that storing discount vitamins in the bathroom medicine chest is the norm, only to find out later that it is actually one of the worst places to keep them. Supplements and vitamins are comprised of a variety of ingredients, and if not stored properly, can lose their potency and effectiveness. This can especially be true in cases where the discount vitamins have been purchased in bulk, therefore not used right away.

When vitamins are stored properly, they can usually remain at their best for four to five years. So, what are the most important things to know about supplying and handling vitamins?

• First and foremost, the majority of discount vitamins and supplements should be tightly sealed, at a cool temperature, dry and away from light. The information for the specific requirements for the vitamins can usually be found on the packaging and the manufacturer’s website or customer service line.

• The best place to keep vitamins is in the linen closet, which can accommodate all of the requirements for storage.

• According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a daily multivitamin is regularly given to 25% to 50% of all children in the United States. For most children however, vitamins are not always necessary as long as they are active and are on a healthy diet. Vitamins A, C and K, as well as Iron, Calcium and Fluoride can be beneficial to those children in need a vitamin regimen. It is vital that all drugs, even vitamins, are kept out of the reach of children. Excessive amounts of vitamins such as A, D and K can be exceptionally harmful to children.

• Vitamins should only be placed in the refrigerator when long-term storage is necessary. According to Glen Shue, a nutritionist for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a three-month supply of the discount vitamins should be kept out of the refrigerator, with the remaining sealed tightly. When it comes time to retrieve more vitamins, the storage bottle should be taken out of the fridge, allowing it to get to room temperature before opening. A helpful money saving tip is to ensure that when buying in bulk, the specific types of vitamins and/or minerals being purchased will be used on a daily basis to ensure that they do not go too far out of date and thus disposed of.

• The only supplements that don’t fall under the “no fridge rule” are fatty acids and antioxidants, especially Carotenoids (luteins, beta-carotene, etc.) and Vitamin E. These must be must be protected from air oxidation thus storing in the refrigerator in a dark bottle/container is best.

• Never store vitamins in the kitchen or in the bathroom. The bathroom is a bad idea because of the amount of heat and humidity caused by showers or bathing. Kitchens also contain a large amount of moisture as well as vaporized fats. These collect on the vitamins, causing them to lose their potency.

• Packaging does make a difference! As often as possible discount vitamins and minerals need to be kept in the original container it was sold in. in order to avoid deterioration of its strength.

• The Food and Drug Administration does not require expiration dates or storage instructions on bottle on vitamins. While most manufacturers indicate the dates anyway, it is not a requirement. Companies understand that they are responsible for the way in which the vitamins and supplements work but only up to the expiration date. In order to remember how long the supplements have been in the home when it is not indicated, Mr. Shue suggests dating the bottle with the date it was purchased.

• Vitamins that are out of date are not dangerous to a person’s health. These vitamins simply lose their effectiveness and potency. According to Dr. Steven Strauss, author of “Your Prescription and You”, chemical analysis is the old true way to find out if a vitamin has lost is potency. Dr. Strauss explains that the only other possible way to know if the vitamins are not good any longer is if there is a change in the color, the taste, the smell, or it’s physical appearance.

Not only is the correct storage and handling of vitamins important; equally important is the actual usage of the vitamins. It is wise to first speak with a doctor to verify the best vitamins and/or supplements for a person’s body and lifestyle. If prescription drugs are being taken, some vitamins and minerals can cause both mild and severe drug interactions.

In addition, make sure that before purchasing vitamins and/or supplements, the instructions are read carefully. The most helpful discount vitamin websites will give a breakdown of the name, ingredients, color, size and correct usage and dosage of each vitamin. These sites also provide additional information about news and events in the vitamin industry as well as articles pertaining to vitamins, supplements and minerals.

Go online today and explore the wide-variety of discount vitamins, minerals and supplements available. To learn more about the specific ones of interest, take the opportunity to read some of the articles and learn about news and events taking place in the industry. Discount vitamins and other supplements are vital to good health. With exercise, vitamins and a healthy diet, a person can live their life to the fullest potential.

About the author
By a freelance writer for VitaNet Health foods, http://vitanetonline.com/ , who sells quality vitamins and herbs with a wide selection of Discount Vitamins: http://vitanetonline.com/ that are in stock and ready to ship.   Article Source: Free Article Directory - http://www.articleManiac.com Search And Submit Articles

How choose the right vitamins with Healthy Comparisons

Healthy Comparisons is designed to help take the confusion out of choosing which vitamins to take. The website is completely independent and unbiased, so you know that you can trust the information on the site.

Which vitamins should I take?

Healthy Comparisons provides the following tools to help you choose the right vitamins:

1. Vitamin information is split by health cateogory. Choose the health condition that you are interested in to learn about which vitamins will work the best for you.
2. Each health condition has a list of the top 16 selling vitamin products across Australian Pharmacies. These are official lists of Australia's leading vitamins which help to consolidate the thousands of vitamin products on the market to a short list.
3. You can compare the leading Australian vitamin products side-by-side. Product comparisons allow you to compare formulas, directions for use, recommended retail price, price per day and much more!
4. Read and post vitamin product reviews to learn about other vitamin consumers' exepriences with the product
5. Join the vitamin forum to ask questions and share your experiences with other like-minded Australians
6. Read vitamin fact sheets to find out what to look for in vitamin products for the health condition that you are interested in
7. Look at 'new and interesting vitamin products' for other vitamins that may be of interest to you
8. Read vitamin articles which are at the bottom of the page specific to the health condition you are interested to find out more.
9. Subscribe to Vitamin Blogs from healthcare practitioners

We are always interested in finding out ways that we can improve the website. If you have ideas for improvements, please email them to info@healthycomparisons.com.au. We would love to hear from you!

The difference between water soluble vitamins and fat soluble vitamins

There are 13 vitamins that are regarded as being essential for the body to function including vitamin A, Vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K and the B group vitamins. These vitamins may be divided into two very different categories: Water soluble vitamins and fat soluble vitamins.

Water soluble vitamins are easily absorbed by the body and any excess amounts that are ingested are removed by the kidneys through the process of urination. Because the body does not store these vitamins in large amounts, they must be replaced on a daily basis. Water soluble vitamins include Vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, Folic Acid, Biotin and Pantothenic Acid.

Fat soluble vitamins are absorbed into the body via bile ducts and are stored within fat tissues and the liver for up to six months.  It is important not to ingest more than the daily recommended amounts of these vitamins as excess amounts are not expelled from the body. Fat soluble vitamins include Vitamin A, vitamin D, Vitamin E and Vitamin K.

Whilst the differences between water and fat soluble vitamins is clear, it's important to ensure that you are obtaining sufficient levels of vitamins from both of these groups. Too little or too much of any of these important vitamins can have harmful effects. 

You should never substitute qualified medical advice with information found in this article. The author does not give or purport to give any medical or healthcare advice and is not qualified to do so.

Disclaimer

Healthy Comparisons does not give or purport to give any medical or healthcare advice and is not qualified to do so. You should not under any circumstances substitute qualified medical advice with information found in this fact sheet.

© HealthyComparisons.com.au 2008

How to Compare Australian Vitamins

Healthy Comparisons has been specifically designed to make it easy for you to choose the right vitamins.

To find the right vitamins for you, follow these simple steps:

• Select the health condition that you are interested in
• Scan the list of Australia's top-selling vitamins for that health condition (official data)
• Select up to three vitamin products to compare and click 'compare'

It's that simple!

Nutrition for Australian Seniors

Nutrition – a Lifelong Concern

Healthy eating is as important for older people as it is for young adults, adolescents and children. While the emphasis is on 'healthy', it is also important that eating should be an enjoyable and sociable activity that you can look forward to.

It is ideal to maintain a healthy weight as you get older. For some this means reducing obesity, and for others it means maintaining an adequate weight. Remember that losing weight and being very thin are not a normal part of ageing.

For a healthy lifestyle, a good diet should be combined with regular moderate exercise. This may include walking, swimming or dancing. Exercise helps control your appetite and hence your weight. It helps you sleep and strengthens your heart, blood vessels, lungs and bones.

Improving diet

Ageing can be associated with changes in lifestyle that affect our eating habits. Loneliness, boredom, depression and worrying about the future may lead to skipping meals and generally eating poorly.

Difficulty with chewing and swallowing, taking many medications, having a chronic disease or difficulty with walking or transport can all impact on our ability to access good food and eat well.

Risk of falls, fractures and infections, poor wound healing and poor recovery from surgery and longer hospital stays and some chronic illnesses can all be linked to poor nutrition.

It is important to look at these factors and focus on improving your diet and access to good food. If necessary ask for outside help. Enquire about local community services by contacting your local community health centre, council, hospital or your doctor.

If eating alone has become a problem, many local councils offer social meal opportunities in the local area.

What makes up a healthy diet?

Eat most: bread and cereals; particularly wholemeal and mixed grain, rolled oats and ready-toeat wholegrain breakfast cereals (such as Weetbix, Allbran and porridge) rice, pasta and barley. Also good are breads such as bagels, pita bread, focaccia, fruit loaf, crumpets, pikelets and scones.

Eat most: vegetables and fruits; these are low in fat and high in fibre. Frozen and canned vegetables and fruits may be substitutes for fresh produce.

When using canned fruit use those packed in their natural juice, rather than those in syrup. Enjoy a variety of fruits and vegetables with all your meals and between meal snacks. For a wide variety of important nutrients chose a wide variety of different types of seasonal fruit and vegetables. Two serves of fruit and five serves of vegetables per day are recommended. A serve of fruit could be a medium sized apple or orange or a cup of berries or tinned fruit or a half a cup of juice or a tablespoon of dried fruit. Whole fresh fruit is the best choice. A serve of vegetable could be 1 potato, a cup of salad vegetables, or a half a cup of cooked vegetables or legumes.

Eat moderately: lean meat, chicken, fish, eggs and nuts. One serve a day is adequate for most people. These foods are rich in protein. A serve of meat is about 100g, or what will fit into the palm of your hand. Legumes such as dried peas, beans, lentils and baked beans, are low in fat, high in fibre and rich in protein. They make a good substitute for meat. Eat lean animal proteins such as meat and chicken by removing the fat and skin.

Eat moderately: milk, yoghurt and cheese. Two or three serves of these calcium rich foods should be included in the diet every day. Women are advised to have three servings because of their higher risk of developing osteoporosis. One serving equals: One 250ml glass of milk or calcium rich soy beverage, one 200gm tub of yoghurt, 40gm cheddar cheese. Reduced fat varieties are also good choices. Other calcium rich foods include nuts, bony fish such as salmon and sardines, some dried fruit such as apricots and figs, tofu, muscles, prawns, spinach, broccoli, oranges and parsley.

Eat in small amounts: high fat foods. Butter, margarine, oils and reduced fat spreads are high fat foods and should therefore be consumed in small amounts. Foods such as pies and pastries, fried and battered foods, snack food such as chips and chocolate are also high fat foods and should be eaten only occasionally. Find alternatives to these that you like. For desserts choose fruits, yoghurt, custard (including UHT long life) and ice cream (preferably the reduced fat varieties).

Eat in small amounts: sugary foods. Table sugar contains no vitamins or minerals; starch or dietary fibre. The nutrients in raw and brown sugar are in very small quantities and are nutritionally insignificant. White, raw and brown sugar, glucose, maltose and lactose are all sugars. Honey is about 80% sugar. Many foods are made with added sugar as a major ingredient while other foods such as fruit and milk contain natural sugars. For example, jam (65%), lollies (45-75%), sweet biscuits (20-40%), sugar sweetened soft drinks (10%). If these foods are making up a large part of your diet then replace some of them with foods such as fruit, vegetable, breads and cereals. Sugar and foods containing sugar should be eaten only in small amounts.

Use less salt: Table salt is sodium chloride. We need some salt in our diet, but we get enough from the salt that occurs naturally in foods such as meat, eggs, bread, milk and vegetables. Most of the salt in the Australian diet comes from the salt added to processed foods by food manufacturers and caterers. A high salt diet increases the risk of developing high blood pressure, a common problem in Australia. Use herbs and spices such as garlic and oregano instead of salt to flavour your food and buy reduced salt and low salt processed foods. Avoid or restrict the use of highly salted foods such as corned beef, bacon and luncheon meats and snack foods such as potato chips.

Drink plenty of water: As we age we don't always feel thirsty when our body needs water. Water is the best drink, have it regularly throughout the day and aim for at least six glasses a day. Other drinks can include water with a squeeze of lemon or lime, tea, coffee, plain mineral water, soda water, fruit juice or milk. Fluid is also added to the diet with serves of juicy fruit such as watermelon, custard, jelly, yoghurt and low-salt soups. If dehydration is a problem, remember to include these foods too.

Eat well and enjoy what you eat. Good nutrition is the basis of healthy ageing.

Useful contacts and resources

For further information about nutrition contact: your

local Community Health Centre, or Nutrition

Australia.

Nutrition Australia: tel. (03) 9560 5165

Website: www.nutritionaustralia.org

Also refer to Australian Government Seniors Information Portal:

www.seniors.gov.au/internet/seniors/publishing.nsf/Content/Healthy+eating

For further information contact:

Seniors Information Service Inc

45 Flinders Street ADELAIDE SA 5000

Tel. (08) 8232 1441

Country Freecall 1800 636 368.

Web www.seniors.asn.au

What else is in that vitamin supplement?    

Words like "pure" or "natural" may only refer to the active ingredient. "Inactive" ingredients called excipients are often found in supplements. These substances are as fillers to bulk up the product to a useable sized item, lubricate the tablet mould or aid the manufacturing process in some way, enhance flow,  suspend, glaze, preserve, bind, coat, disintegrate, colour, and flavour. These can cause allergies, impede absorption, and have undesirable effects on the body. Hence they are not really inactive ingredients; they just don't do what is intended by taking the product.

Points to watch:

• The cheaper the product, generally the more filler is used.
• Allergic reactions can affect every organ of the body and the connection with the supplement can be hard to identify. Reactions can include nausea, headache, damage to the unborn foetus, asthma, rash, dermatitis, digestive upsets.
• Many ingredients have a negative connotation so manufactures use terms such as glaze or natural vegetable coating for shellac.
• Stearic acid, Magnesium Stearate, Calcium Stearate, Palmitate, and hydrogenated vegetable oils are lubricants for the manufacturing process.  Stearic acid can prevent absorption in people with poor digestion (just about everyone I see in consultation). The reason for using supplements is often because of poor nutrition caused by poor digestion. Magnesium Stearate and Stearic acid both prevent absorption at the correct place in the digestive tract and are absorbed down further where it is absorbed to a lesser degree. This not only results in needed nutrients that you paid for going down the toilet, but can be harmful to the liver in some cases.
• Slow release tablets often use hydrogenated oil to slow there release of active ingredients over time as it descends the gastrointestinal tract. The problem is there is a specific area of the GIT for the absorption of each nutrient. Hence optimum absorption occurs when the slow release tablet passed the appropriate area. The rest is not properly absorbed or not absorbed at all.  Hydrogenated oils cannot be utilized by the body and have their own health risks.

Make certain you know all the ingredients in the supplement you take. Insist that the supplier tell you what they are, and check out what there effects are. Best of all use liquids and powders that are pure, unflavoured and don't need manufacturing aids in them. They can still have preservatives and fillers so check them out know all that are buying. You will pay more, but they will be cheaper in the long run and your health is worth it.

Ian Ridgeway ND

For more information visit  www.alnaturalhealth.com.au

Should I be taking a multivitamin?

Patients ask me this all the time. My answer is: yes. But make it a good one. Better still: get informed advice to help you get the most out of supplements. Did you know that you need more vitamin C if you are a smoker, more B-vitamins in times of stress, and more vitamin D if you have dark skin? A naturopath is trained to help you figure out what your body needs. But a multi is a good start.

Ok, outright nutrient deficiency diseases are very rare in the Western world these days. What I am talking about here are diseases like scurvy from lack of vitamin C, beriberi caused by a lack of vitamin B1 (riboflavin) or rickets due to vitamin D deficiency. A typical Western diet is easily sufficient to prevent such diseases in all but extreme cases.

But what we do see even here are 'suboptimal intakes'. To stick with our examples: Vitamin C functions as an antioxidant in our body. It is now widely recognised that having less than ideal vitamin C levels can increase the risk for a range of chronic diseases related to free radical damage. As for the B-group vitamins, suboptimal levels of folic acid, along with suboptimal levels of vitamins B6 and B12, are a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, neural tube defects, breast and colon cancer. A link to Parkinson's disease is also suspected. Low levels of vitamin D contribute to bone weakness and fractures. These are just some examples.

Admittedly, there is no really good clinical trial comparing people taking a multi with others that are not. Such a trial is hard to set up as it would have to go over a very long time, decades preferably,  with a huge number of people and taking the multi would have to be the only difference between the two groups – a tough ask when you think about it. But looking at all the evidence we have available today, even the Harvard School of Medicine recommended in a 2002 scientific review: "Pending strong evidence of effectiveness from randomized trials, it appears prudent for all adults to take vitamin supplements." (Fletcher RH, Fairfield KM. Vitamins for Chronic Disease Preventions in Adults.  JAMA. 2002;287:3127-3129) Basically, consider a good multi an insurance against suboptimal levels.

Now what to pick? Well, as a very rough rule of thumb with supplements: You tend to get what you pay for. More expensive formulas often have a better mix of nutrients or more absorbable compounds in them. This website will help you compare different products to some degree, so that's a good start. To make sure you get the good stuff, I recommend that you ask a well trained naturopath or nutritionist. They can also make sure you do not get too much of a good thing or risk interactions with any medication you are taking (although with a multi alone that would be quite unlikely).

A naturopath or nutritionist should also be able to advise you on how to use therapeutic doses of certain nutrients, i.e. how much vitamin C to reduce severity and duration of the common cold, how to use B-vitamins in times of stress or treat cervical dysplasia with folic acid and other nutrients, or how to use vitamin D in the treatment of certain autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis or rheumatoid arthritis.

By Daniella Osiander. If you have any comments or suggestions what you would like me to talk about in this articcle, please go to www.tonikahealth.com.au and send them through the 'contact us' function.

The Modern Naturopath

Naturopathy is a 19th century word meaning 'nature cure'.

Historically, a Naturopath was one who healed using treatments incorporating water, air, light, good nutritious food, as well as massage, to cleanse, detoxify and stimulate the bodyís inborn healing powers. While Naturopathy often brings up ideas of cold baths, exercise, fresh air, it is more subtle and wide-ranging discipline that can help a huge range of ailments as well as maintaining good health.

Looking Back
The tradition of Naturopathic medicine was originally European, with many influential figures as far back as Hippocrates and Paracelsus. Naturopathy can be described as applying external and internal remedies that work deep within the individual and evoke the healing power of the body. Food as medicine is an example of an internal remedy, as too is the use of herbs.

Externally, various massage techniques, aromatherapy, herbal liniments and poultices, exercises, deep breathing, all constitute naturopathic medicine.

A Holistic View
A Naturopath treats the whole person. This distinction of treating the whole person as opposed to the symptoms of disease that the person may be suffering from is what distinguishes Naturopathic/Holistic Medicine from conventional medicine.

The Naturopath takes into consideration the following three factors:
physical, mental/emotional and circumstantial. Stress for example, can be termed circumstantial. Stress in turn affects both the physical and emotional well being of the individual. Other important factors which can affect health are the environment in which we live/work and our lifestyles.

The Naturopath will refer to all of these factors in order to diagnose and treat any condition.

A Naturopath sees health and vitality is the natural state of the human mind and body and therefore concentrates on the patientís state of health and not the symptoms of disease. Put another way, the Naturopath is more interested in why a patient is ill.

Patient Empathy
The relationship between the Naturopath and patient is vital to the patient's recovery. In order to identify where the cause of disease lies, the patient is encouraged to discuss at length their lifestyle. Perceptive questioning, an empathy with the patient, and drawing upon intuition and insights of the human condition, are very important to the Naturopath. This does not make them psychotherapists but listening to the patient is most important.

Through perceptive questioning the Naturopath often discovers that patients have their own answers, though they may not be aware of it. For example, a patient may consider smoking to be an issue, even though it may not be adversely affecting him or her (which can be the case) but the person’s consumption of a bottle of whiskey per pay, which is really damaging, is dismissed as incidental.

Overeating or consumption of unsuitable foods, abuse of stimulants such as tea, coffee, alcohol, tobacco, or insufficiency of sleep can contribute to disease in the long term. Mental stress is another major contributor to many of the modern diseases. By a process of elimination, the Naturopath can help patients make even simple changes in their lives that will lead to dramatic results. A change in diet might be all that is required to steer a patient back to good health and let nature cure.

What happens?
A Naturopath may use various diagnostic tools in assessing a patient.
Iridology is a traditionally favoured tool for diagnosis. The eyes indicate the truth of body organ systems even before it manifests as a disease.

Additionally, the face, tongue/mouth, and nails give indications of the conditions the patient is experiencing. For those practitioners schooled in Chinese Medicine will usually use pulse diagnosis. One can also diagnose through reflex zones ñ areas which link to various inner organ systems.
Kinesiology, or muscle testing, is another informative diagnostic technique.

The Naturopath will also refer to conventional test results that the patient may bring from their doctor or request certain medical tests be done.The Naturopath will seek to identify where the cause of the disease lies.
Diabetes, for example, is a symptom, but the Naturopath, in helping to restore health may treat one or several of the major organ systems of the body, most usually the liver, and not necessarily the pancreas.

What can it help?
Naturopathy has solutions for many diseases with natural, non-harmful, non-invasive treatments. No condition need remain untreated or be experimented with. Conditions that respond well to Naturopathic treatment include ëfemale disordersí of menstrual problems, adverse menopause symptoms, fibroids, polycystic ovary syndrome, and other uterine conditions.
Digestive disorders so common today such as IBS, Candida, Crohnís, bowel irregularity, respond remarkably well to sound nutrition and herbal remedies. Even the headache and migraine can be banished forever under the guidance of a Naturopath.

Get rid of toxins
Much of the work of the Naturopath today lays in resolving body toxicity from chemical pollution by industry and drugs, and nutrient deficiency from our poor modern refined foods diet. Toxic chemicals and heavy metals pollute the blood and are difficult for the body to eliminate. These have been implicated in persistent headaches, allergies, and even asthma. Nutrient deficiency of not eating a wide and varied diet does not allow the body to replenish what is used in daily living.

The result: lack of energy, frequent colds and flu, insomnia and leads to many chronic conditions. Arthritis, osteoporosis, and yes cancer, are a result of long-term deficiency and toxicity. The best-known nutritional cure for chronic and degenerative diseases is the Gersonô Therapy, but by no means to only one. This uses fresh organic foods and juices to flood the body nutrients to resolve deficiency and eliminate toxicity.

People using this true Naturopathic treatment have documented remarkable recoveries.

Wide variety of therapies
The various therapies offered by the Naturopath are largely dependent of the training of the practitioner. Frequently, nutrition is the cornerstone of treatment: diet of whole and natural foods, for detoxification, acid/alkaline balance, bowel cleansing and good nutrition. The disciplines of herbal medicine, homoeopathy and Chinese medicine and acupuncture are today also part of the modern Naturopathic therapies.

The human body is a tremendous source of energy; you just have to learn how to tap into it. This boundless energy gives us strength and courage to live and also heals.

College of Naturopathic Medicine

Beyond Macronutrients and the Importance of Vitamin Supplements

Most healthy eaters are familiar with the three macronutrients that garner the most media attention within the diet world: proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Indeed, some highly regarded eating programs, such as the Isometric Diet, are designed to deliver an optimal balance of these three macronutrients.

Yet what is often overlooked in a nutrition vocabulary dominated by talk of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, is the plain fact that vitamin supplements play a critical role in an overall healthy eating program. It is a neglect that, ironically, derives from scientific misunderstanding.

Until recently, the scientific community firmly maintained that vitamin supplements were unnecessary and potentially even dangerous. This claim was based on a position that the body's vitamin needs could be met through diet, and that vitamin supplements are largely created from synthetic, low quality ingredients.

However, evidence to the contrary has emerged; or to put things more accurately, the scientific community is finally accepting a new view. Clinical studies clearly show that high quality vitamin supplements can be produced from all natural sources, and that taking them can prevent serious health ailments such as heart disease, osteoporosis, and even cancer [i].

It has also been accepted that vitamin supplements help the body effectively regulate how energy is utilized. In this sense, they ensure that the energy delivered by macronutrients 'in the form of calories' is directed properly to promote growth and development [ii].

However, despite the scientifically proven importance of vitamin supplements, some key concerns have been raised. Specifically, the nutrition community has raised questions with respect to the potential toxicity of supplements that contain 'fat-soluble' vitamins. Fat-soluble vitamins are not easily and swiftly eliminated by the body. Instead, they are stored in organs and tissues. Over time, there can be a build-up of fat-soluble vitamins [iii], which can lead to adverse health effects such as nausea, diarrhea, unhealthy weight loss, bone density loss, and digestive tract disorders [iv].

Fortunately, to avoid this potential damage, there are vitamin and nutritional supplement products on the market that offer water-soluble vitamins. Water-soluble vitamins travel smoothly through the body and the excess is excreted through the kidneys. As such, there is little to no risk of toxic build up [v].

At the same time, these water-soluble vitamin and nutritional supplements can be derived from all-natural sources. This is important to note, because, synthetic vitamins can only replicate a fraction of the beneficial nutrients found in natural sources. As such, the holistic positive impact that can only come from several nutrients working together cannot be reproduced synthetically [vi].

These scientific acknowledgements of the value of vitamin supplements -- and the accessibility of water-soluble, all-natural products -- bode well for the average consumer, and especially well for dieters.

Some diets irresponsibly advise dieters to take diuretic pills that create weight loss through water loss. As a consequence to this short-term strategy, dieters often become dangerously deficient in water-soluble vitamins such as vitamin C, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, Biotin, and Folic Acid.

However, some well-designed nutritional supplements provide anywhere from 50% to 100% of these essential vitamins. As such, dieters who are currently subscribing to an unhealthy water-loss diet can responsibly transition to these products, and replenish their depleted water-soluble vitamin stock.

Similarly, dieters who are fortunate enough to have avoided these potentially dangerous diet pill/diuretic diets can wisely integrate these nutritional supplements into their current eating regimen.

Indeed, the scientific community, for all of the contributions it has made to diet and nutrition, has been unusually slow in accepting the fact that vitamin supplements are an essential part of healthy eating. Yet the consensus of this fact is now fairly widespread, as is the understanding that water-soluble and all-natural products simply outclass fat-soluble and synthetic products in terms of safety and efficacy.

It may have taken a decade or so too long to reach this 'vitamin awareness', but now that it is here, it is reason for both dieters and non-dieters to celebrate a future of healthier and smarter eating.


ABOUT PROTICA

Founded in 2001, Protica, Inc. is a nutritional research firm with offices in Lafayette Hill and Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Protica manufactures capsulized foods, including Profect, a compact, hypoallergenic, ready-to-drink protein beverage containing zero carbohydrates and zero fat. Information on Protica is available at http://www.protica.com

You can also learn about Profect at http://www.profect.com

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REFERENCES

[i] Source: 'Dietary Insurance: A Daily Multivitamin'. Harvard School of Public Health.
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamins.html

[ii] Source: 'Vitamins and Minerals'. McKinley Health Center.
http://www.mckinley.uiuc.edu/Handouts/vitaminmineral.html

[iii] Source: 'Toxicity of Vitamins'. Medicinal Foods News.
http://www.medicinalfoodnews.com/vol04/issue3/toxicity.htm

[iv] Source: 'Fat-Soluble Vitamins'. Colorado State University.
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/foodnut/09315.html

[v] Source: 'Vitamins'. WebMD.
http://my.webmd.com/hw/health_guide_atoz/stv5441.asp

[vi] Source: 'Natural Vitamins or Synthetic?'. Olga Timbol.
http://www.chiff.com/a/natural-vitamin.htm

ABOUT PROTICA Founded in 2001, Protica, Inc. is a nutritional research firm with offices in Lafayette Hill and Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Protica manufactures capsulized foods, including Profect, a compact, hypoallergenic, ready-to-drink protein beverage containing zero carbohydrates and zero fat. Information on Protica Nutrition Research is available at http://www.protica.com You can also learn about Profect at http://www.profect.com

Vitamin Benefits

Vitamin benefits are substantial. From multivitamins that offer our body all of the missing nutrients we do not get from eating the wrong foods, to supplements that boost energy, stave off disease, increase libido, and build our immunity. There are many different vitamin benefits.

Most doctors will advise you to take a multivitamin supplement. A multivitamin supplement gives us the nutrients we lack in our daily diets. Many of us do not get the proper vitamins that are derived from certain foods for a variety of reasons. In the world of today, everyone is in a hurry and many of us do not eat right. In addition, many essential vitamin benefits are derived from foods that certain people do not like to eat. Our body still needs these vitamins, however, so taking a supplement is one good way to get the nutrients needed without having to eat foods we do not like.

Vitamin benefits vary as do the different types of vitamins themselves. Vitamin A, for example, has many different benefits. It is shown to be a proven antioxidant and can protect against cancer. Vitamin A is also very useful in curing skin disorders, such as acne. It can even reverse cornea damage in some people.

Foods that are high in Vitamin A contain carrots, broccoli, dairy products, greens, peaches, liver, cherries and squash. When taking Vitamin A, one must be careful about overdosing on this vitamin. Symptoms of a Vitamin A overdose include nausea, vomiting, dry skin and fatigue and may even include hair loss.

Another essential vitamin that provides wonderful vitamin benefits is Vitamin B-1. The vitamin benefits of B-1 include helping with respiratory disorders, acne, fatigue, weakness and effectively fighting off many different diseases. Foods that are high in Vitamin B-1 include broccoli, cauliflower, nuts, eggs, rice, asparagus, turkey, peas, and parsley to name a few.

Vitamin benefits derived from Vitamin B-2 include aiding the body during pregnancy as well as healing wounds and mouth irritations. Many women who become pregnant suffer from anemia and for this reason, Vitamin B-2, along with iron supplements, helps them avoid some of the fatigue that often accompanies the condition. If you have cracked lips, burning eyes, hair loss or insomnia, you may be suffering from a lack of Vitamin B-2. Speak to your doctor about your symptoms as a Vitamin B-2 supplement may be the answer to your problems.

Vitamin B-3 controls cholesterol levels and is used in combination of other medications to treat cardiovascular disease. Vitamin B-3 contains Niacin which has also been used to treat schizophrenia. If you are suffering from fatigue, insomnia, depression or poor concentration, you may have a Vitamin B-3 deficiency. Vitamin benefits from Vitamin B-3 are many and this is one nutrient that you do not want to do without.

Vitamin benefits from Vitamin B-4, which is adrenine, include alleviating fatigue, strengthening the immune system and balancing blood sugar. This vitamin helps with low blood sugar, anemia, allergies, infections, constipation and also stunted growth. Children who do not appear to be growing at a normal rate are often injected with Vitamin B-4 injections. Recent studies have indicated that Vitamin B-4 can help with cancer.

Vitamin B-5 is widely available in most of our foods and actually converts fats and carbohydrates to energy and protein. Vitamin benefits from B-5 are used in post surgical procedures as well as by those who suffer from obesity. Too much of this vitamin, however, can produce diarrhea.

Vitamin benefits from Vitamin B-6 also help convert protein and carbohydrates to energy and helps with anemia and depression. If you are suffering from depression, nausea, vomiting and even symptoms of PMS, ask your doctor about taking a vitamin B-6 supplement that may alleviate your symptoms.

Vitamin B-8 is found in liver, yeast, nuts, chocolate, chicken, eggs, mushrooms, salmon, grains and cauliflower. The vitamin benefits of B-8 are needed for growth as well as the central nervous system and skin and bone marrow. In some cases, Vitamin B-8 is used to treat certain skin disorders.

Many women who are thinking about becoming pregnant are now advised to take Folic Acid, which is found in Vitamin B-9. It is believed that the vitamin benefits of B-9 can prevent birth defects as well as treat anemia. It is advised that women begin taking supplements of this vitamin prior to becoming pregnant.

Vitamin B 10, which is Paba, is not really considered a vitamin, but is used as a sunscreen and is essential for those who wish to avoid the ultraviolet rays in the sun that can cause skin cancer. Vitamin B 10 is not used orally, but directly on the skin. Years ago, Vitamin B 10 was used to fight rheumatic fever.

Vitamin benefits from Vitamin B-12 include relief from menopause as well as anemia. It is also believed that one of the vitamin benefits of B-12 can cure warts. People who are suffering from lower back pain, mental problems, memory loss, weakness and fatigue may actually have a deficiency in Vitamin B-12. A simple blood test to measure the levels off this vitamin in your body can determine if you are indeed suffering from such a deficiency and the solution can be easily remedied with a supplement.

Clearly there are many different Vitamin Benefits from the many different types of Vitamin B. Many people take a Vitamin B complex to alleviate confusion over which vitamin B they should take. A vitamin B complex has many vitamin benefits and is usually the best choice for those who want to make sure they are getting plenty of the essential vitamins found in the B vitamins.

Vitamin benefits from Vitamin C are many. This essential vitamin is proven to ward off colds, prevent some cancers and heal wounds. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and many people swear that by taking Vitamin C, they actually ward off colds. Toxicity from vitamin C is rare as it would take very large doses to cause harm. However, excessive use of vitamin C can produce a false positive in a urine glucose test.

Vitamin D is often found in dairy products and is known to promote strong bones and teeth. It is also essential in the prevention of osteoporosis, and most post-menopausal women are advised to take supplements of Vitamin D to ward off this crippling disease.

Vitamin benefits from Vitamin E range from repairing skin, reducing smoking lung damage and helping with drug therapies for those undergoing cancer treatment. People who have deficiencies of Vitamin E may experience muscle weakness, anemia, increased infections and even fibrocystic breast disease.

Vitamin K is useful in controlling blood clots. This vitamin is found in many foods and is rarely toxic, even if taken to great extremes. Most vegetables contain this valuable vitamin.

Vitamin benefits vary from treating skin diseases, preventing sunburn, curing colds to preventing cancer. Before beginning on any vitamin regiment, consult with your physician. In many cases, a good multivitamin may be all you need to make sure that your body is getting the right amount of the valuable properties found in the above mentioned vitamins.

By: Mario Churchill

Vitamins - the basics

Synthetic Vs Natural Vitamin Supplements

Vitamins are organic compounds that help in the body's metabolism and maintenance. Vitamins can be absorbed from numerous food sources, but are especially abundant in fruits and vegetables. However, there may still be nutrients that your body will not be able to absorb, or that you may not be getting enough of from your diet. This is why vitamin supplements are important.

There are 12 essential vitamins that our body needs to function effectively. These include Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, C, D, E, K and folate. These vitamins have been shown to protect the body from certain illnesses, including heart disease and cancer. Lack of vitamins in the body can result in various diseases, including blindness, anemia, birth defects, bleeding disorders and bone deformities, among others. Vitamin supplements provide your body with the recommended daily amounts of essential vitamins, and help prevent the development of these diseases.

Nowadays, numerous vitamin supplements exist, available in different forms. Vitamin supplements are available in all health stores and can also be ordered online. These vitamin supplements can generally be divided into two categories: natural and synthetic. At present, there is a continuing debate regarding which kind of supplement is more beneficial to the body.

Natural vitamin supplements are vitamins extracted from natural food products and processed to create a food supplement. Meanwhile, synthetic vitamin supplements are man-made vitamins chemically processed in a laboratory.

Research has been leaning more towards natural vitamin supplements as the more beneficial product between the two categories. Studies on synthetic vitamin supplements have resulted in mixed results. Some scientists believe that taking synthetic vitamin supplements could result in numerous side effects, especially when the vitamins are taken in large amounts. This is because synthetic vitamin supplements contain numerous chemicals, which could react adversely with your body. Just as lack of vitamins results in various diseases, excessive intake of vitamins have also been known to cause a myriad of toxicities, including hypersensitivity reactions, diarrhea and bone damage, to name a few.

Recent studies have also shown that natural vitamins are better absorbed and processed by the body than their synthetic counterparts. This allows you to get the most out of your supplements, ensuring that you have adequate vitamin levels in your body.

Since natural vitamin supplements appear to be the better choice, it is best for you to find a natural supplement that can provide all these benefits.

When choosing a natural vitamin supplement, make sure that the supplement contains all 12 essential vitamins. Also, check that the supplement is really natural. Some synthetic products manipulate their advertising to make it appear that the product is natural, when in fact, it isn't. Look closely into the ingredients used in the product, and research on them. Take advantage of some websites that allows you to check up on these supplements and their contents. Finally, before taking any natural vitamin supplements, it is best to consult a qualified nutritionist or your physician first.

Don't forget that no vitamin supplement can replace a healthy, balanced diet. It is recommended that you eat a vitamin-rich diet, which can be achieved by increasing your intake of vegetables and fruits. A healthy diet, complemented by a high-quality natural vitamin supplement, can ultimately give you a stronger body and help you live a longer life.

ABSTRACT: Vitamin supplements are necessary to keep your body healthy. Natural vitamin supplements can provide you with adequate amounts of vitamins needed in your diet, without the side effects associated with its synthetic counterpart.

By: Mario Churchill

Nutritional supplements. Do we need them? 

Shouldn't we get all the nutrition we need out of our food? Why does it appear that modern man is unable to be healthy without extra vitamins and minerals? Is it fallacy? Let us look at history, is man and his environment getting better. History shows a decline. This is especially true of the last 100 years, but evidence exists that a few thousand years ago the plants were much better. Let us confine ourselves to the last 100years.

Decline in food value of crops.

A study done by the University of Texas comparing the nutritional value of 43 garden crops showed a decline in food value over the last 50 years.  Dr. Donald Davis, the research leader said:

 "Considered as a group, we found that six out of 13 nutrients showed apparently reliable declines between 1950 and 1999."   He also said "Perhaps more worrisome would be declines in nutrients we could not study because they were not reported in 1950—magnesium, zinc, vitamin B-6, vitamin E and dietary fibre, not to mention phytochemicals," See http://www.utexas.edu/news/2004/12/01/nr_chemistry/ . Note that the study only goes to 1999, 9 years ago. I suspect the decline is considerably greater now.

            US Dept of Agriculture records show that everyday vegetables often have less of some vitamins, and minerals such as Iron, Calcium and Zinc than they did 50 years ago. See organic center's press release http://www.organic-center.org/reportfiles/Press%20release_Yield-Quality_Final.pdf  They report a study using new and old varieties grown side be side that showed a 10 - 25% drop in Zinc, protein, calcium and vitamin C. Their chief scientist, Dr Charles Benbrook, said "Less nutrient-dense foods, coupled with poor food choices, go a long way toward explaining today's epidemics of obesity and diabetes."  Let me explain Dr Benbrook's comment. You see if you have to eat more food to get the same amount of minerals and vitamins, you have to eat more carbohydrate, which is stored away in fat because there is not the nutrients to process it into energy. Less energy, less exercise and you have even more fat storage. Diabetes can also follow.

Go Organic

            Dr Benbook explains the relationship between yield, speed of growth, and nutritional level. It's quite simple, the faster something grows, the less time it has to take up and store nutrients, and the less time it has to put it's roots down deep and wide to take them up from the food. This is one reason why organic food has been shown to be higher in nutrition. He points out that between a few percent and over 20 percent more nutrients and an average of 30 percent more antioxidants have been found in organic produce. Some phytochemicals have been shown in studies to be much more. For example, organic tomatoes were shown to contain almost twice the amount of two common antioxidants than conventional tomatoes. I have to say that is no at all surprising. Taste is a good indicator of nutrient content in fruit and vegetables. Have you ever compared those plastic, red round things that are passed off as tomatoes with one grown properly? I think it is false advertising to call those things tomatoes! Actually the density of produce is a good indicator. I have grown a commercial crop of water melons organically and when I sold them the buyer commented that they were the heaviest melons he had seen. This buyer was an organic buyer. He was comparing them to other organic produce he had brought. The nutritional level in organic produce varies considerably. It depends on the soil and how it has be treated and built up; the varieties grown, and the speed of growth of the plant.  There is no such thing as free lunch. A plant, just like us is only the product of what is put into it. You cannot have food value for no effort and input.

Increase in the consumption of junk, processed, nutrient ally deficient fast food.

            This is very obvious just from living in and observing our society. This material is the most expensive substance on the planet. I cannot if call it food, food builds up the body and keeps it health, this stuff does the opposite.

I quote from the organic center's report:

According to Alan Greene, M.D., chair of the Center's Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee, "For many of our most costly and common health problems in the years ahead, progress in reducing the frequency and severity of disease will depend increasingly on improving food nutritional quality and patterns of dietary choice, rather than simply an ever-widening dependence on drug-based therapies and surgery."

Increase the toxic load of the body.

            There is not room here to describe the extent of the poisonous load that we are presently exposed to, and I'm sure we are all aware of it to some extent. Just one example, chlorinated dioxins (CDDs) are formed during the chlorination of waste and drinking water treatment plants. These chemicals disrupt hormones and can cause liver damage. The reason is that the liver is trying to process them into harmless substance to eliminate. This requires an immense amount of vitamins, minerals and amino acids from protein.  

Increased damage to our body systems

This is due to all the above factors. Nutrition is required in greater amounts to rebuild the damage.

Increased stress of modern society.

            Few people have any idea of the amount of nutrients are consumed by stress and anxiety. Every part other body is under pressure and are demanding vast amounts of materials just to operate and any reasonable level.

THE CONCLUSION

            It is very simple. If can put yourself in a position where you have little or no stress, no pollutants, you food is grown in perfectly balance soil, and is not processed, or altered in any way, you don't need supplements. I might add you would also have to have been in that environment for most of your life because we all have damage that the body has to repair. That is impossible for most of us. Studies have shown that people who take supplements do enjoy better long term health in their lives. Having said that, supplements are never a substitute for good healthy eating and lifestyle, or an excuse for indulgence.

What can we do?

1.     Don't eat sugar and other refined foods. The taste bud will adapt. Use natural sugars, plenty of fresh fruit and vegs. Sugar that is extracted in any way has nutrients missing which are required to be utilised by the body. White sugar is the very worst. Brown and raw sugar is not much better. Pure, unprocessed, honey (if you can find any) is a whole food and is OK in moderation.

2.     Eat organic if at all possible.

3.     Plant a vegetable garden and learn how to grow organically. Something can usually be grown almost anywhere. I spoke to someone who grew food in pots on her small balcony of her high rise flat in Brisbane while going to Uni. What better way to help survive the economic crisis.

4.     Drink at least 2 litres of pure water  every day (with out anything in it)

5.     Have regular exercise at least 3 times a week.

6.     The achieve this properly you need to be in the country.

7.     Use a good quality supplements. See a health natural health practitioner for advice.

8.     Compare the value for money when buying supplements. Look at the elementary amount, i.e., how many grams of calcium, for example, are you getting per dose, per number of cents paid. You can sometimes be surprised.

9.     Beware of ingredients that are not absorbed well. E.g., Calcium citrate, and malate are very well absorbed, but calcium carbonate is poorly absorbed.

10.  Know what non-active ingredients are in the product. Ask the manufacturer if needed. You have a right know.

11.  De-stress, manage your stress. Those who have a faith have been shown to cope with, and avoid stress better than those who don't

Read more health articles by Ian and Visit  our online clinic at:  www.alnaturalhealth.com.au

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