Choosing A MultivitaminInfo on The Best Vitamin Supplement in The WorldChoosing a multivitamin can be difficult as there are products of every kind all making a claim to be the best. There are liquid vitamins, multivitamins, herbal vitamins, and so on. Not surprisingly, many consumers don't know where to turn, nor do many know how to distinguish between marketing fact and marketing fiction, between the reality and the razzle dazzle. And that is the purpose of this page. There are key things you need to look for when choosing the best multivitamin and they are:
Let's take these points in depth. Multivitamin ReviewsHow To Choose The Best Vitamin SupplementClearly, when choosing a multivitamin, you want to make the best choice possible. We suggest you consider first, though, the ingredient quality of the supplements. There is a new term you should be aware of -- GMP certified facility supplements -- nutraceuticals. Nutraceuticals are a combination of nutrition and pharmaceutical, and that is what they are -- prescription quality, nutritional pharmaceuticals. Most, if not all, multivitamins are made from the cheapest ingredients possible even including fillers, additives, and dyes. Some multivitamins actually have sand in them! Silica is sand yet you'll see the term "silica" on the label. If unhealthy even dangerous ingredients is not bad enough, many supplements don't even have the proclaimed ingredients as stated on the label. Multivitamin fraud is rampant. When choosing a multivitamin, remember: The importance of nutraceuticals is established only in part by the rigorous standards they must meet before they can be sold. Their contents is also part of the mix. Many vendors choose not only inferior grade substances, but the binding agents are usually inferior as well. Why? It's expensive to use the best ingredients and materials. Here's an example: Beta Carotene is a form of Vitamin A and can vary incredibly in potency. It can be synthetic or natural. The active ingredient present may just be a few percent or up to 98% of the weight. And the cost difference? Synthetic Beta Carotene (3% active) costs around $60 per kilo, whereas natural pure pharmaceutical grade (98% active) costs around US$2,400 per kilo (98% active). Another key component of rating of multiple vitamins should be is the manufacturing process. There are three main areas of manufacturing that are relevant here, i.e., scientific formulation, potency of ingredients (we just talked about that), type of facility, and verification of ingredients on label. Scientific FormulationWhen doing a vitamin supplement comparison, the ideal supplement should be scientifically formulated. It's critical that in a multivitamin with many nutrients be formed with scientific knowledge at the cellular level. Some vitamins cancel each other out and some need other minerals to do their job. Type of Facility to Look ForWhen comparing vitamin potency, look for GMP certified facilities that are regularly inspected by government authorities. Do you think this irrelevant? Here's one example. As reported by Medscape 1/24/2000, "High levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been identified in five brands of shark liver oil capsules that are available internationally over-the-counter." PCBs are toxic to the body In another study done by Time Magazine as reported July 31, 2000, eight of 21 brands tested were found to have pesticides and lead.This dovetails into our next point, verification of ingredients. Pharmaceutical GMP compliant facilities verify not only purity and potency of ingredients, but they also validate the existence of label proclaimed ingredients. Regarding potency of ingredients, look for all raw ingredients supported with a COA (Certificate of Analysis), which guarantees their potency and safety. Key Nutrients to Look For in Nutritional SupplementsWhen engaging in the rating of multiple vitamins, consider this: Optimum multivitamins need more than just basic vitamins and minerals. Look for other specialty nutrients that include:
It is only in the last 10 years or so that herbals have begun to be more accepted by the public. They've long been demonized by an entrenched Western medical establishment who wanted to maintain the status quo as well as their profit margins. Did you know, for example, that the cholesterol lowering drug industry is a $20 billion dollar a year industry? If you came on their turf with herbal medicine interventions that not only lower your cholesterol but do it safely with no side effects at a literal fraction of the cost, that was and is most disconcerting to them. It's still egregious but progress has been made. Herbals like ginger, olive leaf, and red clover have potent compounds that improve blood pressure, thin the blood, and strengthen the immune system. Bio-Availability Delivery SystemWhen comparing differing vitamins, and when seeking to obtain the best multivitamin, remember that the biological delivery system is just as important as the manufacturing process. The truth is that as most dietary supplements use synthetic ingredients and are destroyed by gastric acids. Experts say that 90% of most supplements are excreted out as they're unassimilable! Ideally, the nutrients of the supplements make their way through the stomach intact where they can then be assimilated in the upper intestine. Is there a solution that makes this possible? There is -- enteric coating. Enteric coating is expensive and sophisticated technology, which is why most manufacturers don't have it. Enteric coating protects the active compounds of the vitamins and minerals where it then dissolves in the upper intestines for assimilation into the blood stream. Another important consideration are the binding agents for the tablets themselves, called excipients. Again, they're expensive and most manufacturers seek to avoid them. Consequently, they substitute cheap binders that cause the supplement to go through the system unused. We know this wasn't always the case as we've been studying herbal medicine for over 24 years including homeopathic and nutritional supplementation as well. Yours in health, |
Copyright 2009, CoolHealthSecrets.com