best supplements

Millions of people take daily vitamin supplements to encourage good health. With all the different kinds of vitamins
minerals and herbs flooding the market these days
it's sometimes difficult to know what to choose.

The first thing you need to know is that vitamin supplements are not a replacement for eating healthy
vitamin rich whole foods. Food contains the nutrients your body needs in their very purest form
and interact with each other and your body in a way supplements cannot. However
taking vitamin supplements in addition to eating a vitamin-rich diet can be a great way to stay healthy and protect against damage from harmful free radicals.

When shopping for vitamin supplements
there are a few things you should keep in mind:

Always read the label

Reading labels is a wise practice you should do every time you shop for supplements. Labels can tell you more about dosages
ingredients
safety precautions
and other important information.

Choose a reputable manufacturer

Always choose products with “USP” on the label. “USP” is the abbreviation for the U.S. Pharmacopeia and the inclusion on the label means the product has been tested and checked for quality and safety.

Check the Date

Expired vitamins can lose their potency. Always make sure there is an expiration date printed on the bottle
and never purchase or use expired supplements.

Avoid Giant Doses

Do not choose supplements that offer extremely high doses of a particular vitamin or vitamins. Too much of anything can be harmful
sometimes even fatal.

Store Safely

Always keep your vitamins out of the reach of children. Store in a cool
dark
dry place as heat and humidity can affect the integrity of the vitamins.

Always Do Your Homework

Research is always a good idea before deciding to take vitamin supplements. Consult with your doctor. Perform some Internet searches or visit your local library. There is a wealth of resources available for you on the topic of vitamin supplements and the benefits they offer.

Best vitamin supplements must meet high standards in three critical areas. Quality in all three areas is vital not only for health benefits but for safety reasons as well. The best vitamin supplements should excel in these ways:

1. The Design of the Supplement - the term 'efficacy' means 'to produce an effect'. When combined correctly
the effects or efficacy of certain vitamins and minerals in the body can be increased several times. And substances
whether natural or synthetic
when mixed together
can form other undesired or dangerous substances if they are not combined scientifically. When creating a complex best vitamin supplement formula
the professional qualifications of the design staff is a crucial part of the process.

2. The Quality of the Ingredients - there can be enormous differences in quality and potency as well as differences in costs of the individual ingredients. Priority should be given to quality
potency and purity with the best vitamin supplements since the final product will only be as good as the raw ingredients used. The manufacturer must have a system in place to verify that the ingredients used are as the suppliers claim.

3. The Procedures Used in Manufacturing - the large volume vitamin manufacturers may use a ribbon type blender and mix ingredients for only about 20 minutes. This means that low dose substances may not be mixed properly. The time that passes after mixing before encapsulating or tableting is important - less than two hours between blending and tableting makes sure that the blend's integrity remains intact during the manufacturing process. The only dependable way to be sure you are getting the best vitamin supplements is to buy them from a facility that meets pharmaceutical industry production standards.

Are vitamin and mineral supplements really needed? Numerous studies have concluded that because of soil depletion
the overall nutrient value of foods has been declining for decades. Also
even the best vitamin supplements cannot substitute for a poor diet. Eating mostly junk food and taking vitamins will not provide you with the nutrients you will obtain with vegetables and fruits. Vitamin supplements should be considered supplements
not replacements for food. For example
the latest USDA food pyramid recommends consuming 2.5 cups of vegetables a day for women and 3 cups a day for men - most people do not.

The best vitamin supplements cannot be the one-a-day type. Why? One capsule or tablet simply cannot hold all that's needed in necessary quantities - it would be way too large to swallow. One-a-day vitamins are probably a waste of money. And on the other hand
it is easy to end up with a dozen or more individual vitamins to take daily
requiring bottles and bottles which is both a hassle and expensive.

And finally
women need a different vitamin formula than men. A woman's supplement should contain nutrients that are proven by clinical studies to support the balancing of female hormones before
during and after menopause. The best vitamin supplements for men should contain ingredients specifically for supporting healthy male prostate. Including ingredients proven in clinical studies for the prevention of BPH or enlarged prostate is an important part of the best vitamin supplements for men.

Yes
there are manufacturers that meet or exceed the above criteria. Learn as much as you can about what finding the best vitamin supplements really means - before spending your money
be informed about the products you will be taking every day.

Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing

How can you find an athlete dietary vitamin supplement that is right for you? Finding the right nutritional supplement can be difficult if you are an athlete. Athletes use more of their body's nutrients and need to quickly be able to replace those lost vitamins and minerals. With the help of a multi-vitamin
most athletes can keep their nutrition at its peak.

Finding the correct supplement for your nutritional needs starts with knowing what your nutritional needs are. If you are an endurance runner
your needs will be different from someone who is a weight lifter. Although every person has different vitamin needs
there are some standard amounts that people can use as a guide.

If you are purchasing your multivitamins or supplements from a health food store
they will most likely be able to provide you with a listing of the recommended amounts of the vitamins you will be taking. If you want to arrive at the store a little more prepared
you can find the recommended vitamin doses through a simple Internet search.

Most athletes do not know which multi-mineral or herbal supplements are right for them. The Internet can again be a great resource for finding which vitamins and minerals are best suited for athletes. Different athletes require different vitamins to ensure they can obtain the best performance possible.

After doing a little bit of research on the different types of multivitamin supplement pills and liquids that are available
an athlete then needs to find the best price for those vitamins. Although prices can vary widely from store to store
generally the Internet is the best place to find a great deal on vitamins. There are four main locations that you can obtain vitamins from:

1. Grocery Store - Usually has the most popular vitamins and not too much variety. You can find brand name vitamins as well as generic vitamins.

2. Health Food Market - Because these stores specialize in organic and healthy foods
you will find a large variety of organic whole foods vitamins available at them. You may have to pay a higher price at this type of establishment.

3. Vitamin and Supplement Store - These are often located in malls and carry a wide variety of vitamins and supplements. Any and every vitamin and mineral available can usually be found in this type of store.

4. Internet - The Internet is quickly becoming one of the best sources for finding things that you need. You can usually get a really good price on vitamins and supplements and you generally do not have a very long wait before they are delivered directly to your door.

Buying a vitamin supplement does not have to be any different from buying a vitamin supplement for anyone else. If you take your time and do a little research ahead of time
you will be well prepared when you enter the store. Or better yet
just do all your research and shopping online and save yourself a ton of time and money!

In today's health-conscious society
much attention has been paid to vitamin supplementation and the role it plays in total body health. In addition to promoting optimum wellness
vitamin supplements are taken for reasons such as protecting the heart
reducing the risk of cancer
boosting the immune
system
relieving the symptoms of PMS
alleviating depression and anxiety
improving the memory
and even weight loss.

There have been some publicized theories that advocate the use of extremely high doses
or mega-doses
of certain vitamins. Care should be taken when considering this kind of supplementation. While some vitamins are safe in large doses
others can be harmful. Here are the most commonly used
vitamins and the safest maximum doses for each:

Vitamin A - Vitamin A is a fat-soluble compound that is crucial for healthy vision
cell growth
and immune system function. Vitamin A should not be taken in excess of 10
0
IU which is twice the daily recommended allowance for adults.

Vitamin B6 - Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin that is required for protein metabolism
the delivery of oxygen to cells
and the regulation of blood glucose. Excessive Vitamin B6 can cause debilitating and dangerous nerve damage. Do not exceed 100 mg of Vitamin B6 per day.

Vitamin B12 - Vitamin B12 is essential to healthy red blood cells and nerve cells in the body. Vitamin B12 also plays a vital role in the creation of human DNA. Although this compound is well-tolerated and has a low level of toxicity
it is recommended that you do not exceed 3
0
mcg per day.

Folic Acid - Folic acid contributes to the development of DNA
and is also needed for the metabolism of important amino acids. It is especially crucial for pregnant women. Folic acid has a low toxicity level
however the recommended maximum dose for adults is 1
0
mcg.

Vitamin C - Vitamin C is necessary for the production of collagen
growth and repair of the body's tissues
and a healthy immune system. However
too much Vitamin C can cause harmful oxidation in the body. No more than 2000 mg per day should be consumed.

Vitamin D - Vitamin D is essential for normal levels of phosphorus and calcium in the blood. Vitamin D is an important contributor to strong bones and teeth. Excessive Vitamin D intake (more than 10
0
IU) can lead to bone pain
nausea
vomiting
and even kidney stones.

Vitamin E - Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps protect the body against free radicals. However taking more than 1
0
mg can cause heart problems and excessive bleeding.

Talk to your doctor to learn more about the safe dosage levels of vitamin compounds. It’s not always a good idea to buy into the latest health fads
or to believe the sales copy you read on the product bottle.