3 Mistakes Choosing Supplements

Multi-vitamins are the often our first choice when buying a health supplement, but are they worth it?

Evidence shows benefit from taking a regular multi-vitamin and there are quality supplements available on pharmacy and supermarket shelves.

However most vitamins are synthetically manufactured by a similar process to pharmaceuticals. Pharmaceutical companies are systematically buying out the natural supplement makers!

3 mistakes to consider:

Mistake 1. A well branded multi-vitamin promoted by a famous person will take care of micro-nutrient needs and even make up for missed meals or take-away food.

Answer: Water, protein, fats and carbohydrate are the main nutrients. But they must be nutritious – contain ample vitamins and minerals! They must be fresh, alive…

Multi-vitamin supplements have many ingredients however the amounts are usually therapeutic values. And supplements can only support the matrix of good food.

Mistake 2. Buying a bigger quantity of a discount brand is good value.

Answer: The old saying holds true – you get what you pay for.

Ingredient quality is most important. One common bulk buy is fish oil capsules. These highly perishable oils can be from farmed fish, macerated with hexane extraction.

Mistake 3. Buying tablets and neglecting powders.

Answer: Tablets are convenient but many don’t fully dissolve in the gut. Powders, liquids and capsules are a first choice.

So which supplements are best?

Its best to look for quality and value in a few separate key vitamins and minerals and take them at therapeutic doses.

Minerals are first – Magnesium, Zinc, Selenium and Iodine plus a good colloidal multi-mineral such a Volcomin.

Then consider vitamins. Add vitamin C, vitamin D if missing sun exposure, and if under a lot of stress a good multi B vitamin. Plus a quality Essential Fatty Acid, that is, a fish or a krill oil.

Formulas with the addition of herbs are generally better and more effective.

Superfoods are the future of supplements and worth having if you can afford them. Vital sun, earth and life energies generate active compounds which can be astonishingly beneficial – the phyto-chemicals have potent medicinal properties.

Establish a supplement routine. Twice a day with food is best and keep them in a convenient spot so they’re not forgotten.