TWO BASIC TYPES OF NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS
There is basically two types of nutritional supplements:
- Brand A -- whole food supplements
- Brand B -- man made components
In Brand A, vitamins and nutrients are derived mainly from recognizable food sources. In Brand B, the vitamins and nutrients are man made components that are not generally recognized as food sources.
HOW TO PROPERLY READ A LABEL
It can be very confusing to determine the true value of a supplement. Understanding the label will help you know if you are taking a quality supplement.
Where do the nutrients come from?
Look at the ingredients listed on the food label. Do you recognize any of them? Just like any other food label, the nutrients are listed in particular order and some manufacturers put the source next to the nutrient. In a quality, wholesome product, you will recognize and be able to pronounce most of the ingredients on the label.
What is the importance of whole food ingredients?
Only whole food ingredients can provide you with all the nutrients contained within the food. For example, Vitamin E in the brand B category, the sixth ingredient is dl-alpha tocopherol acetate. This is not a food ingredient. It is a man made component of the vitamin E complex. If you were to take a supplement with just dl-alpha tocopherol, you would be missing at least five other important nutrients as well as hundreds of other nutrients that occur within the whole vitamin E complex. These nutrients are only available by consuming natural, whole food forms of vitamin E, such as wheat germ oil, green leafy vegetables, nuts, and sunflower seeds.
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| The Functional Architecture of the Vitamin E Complex |
GOING BEYOND THE LABEL
Just like any recipe, the quality of the ingredients of the ingredients you use affects the quality of the final product. Therefore, it's is important to answer all these questions when evaluating a supplement and its effectiveness.
Where do the ingredients come from?
Manufacturers who grow many of their ingredients have the unique ability to control the quality of the ingredient from seed to supplement. Some manufacturers own certified organic farms to further enhance the quality of their ingredients.
When are ingredients processed?
When you buy a tomato, you inspect it for quality. You wouldn't knowingly buy one that was mushy and bruised. This same principle holds true for when ingredients are prime for harvest. Different foods reach their peak nutrient value during different times within the growing season. Pea vine, for example, is is at its peak during the flowering stage.
Once harvested, food begins to lose its value. It is perishable like the tomato. If there is a delay of hours, days, or months from when an ingredient is harvested to when it's processed, many of its very delicate phytonutrients are lost.
Are the ingredient's vital factors retained?
Each ingredient has its own set of rules in relation to how to best package its vital components. The manufacturing process needs to retain the vital nutrients within the ingredients. Too much heat will destroy enzymes and phytonutrients. The manufacturer should use a low-temperature, high-vacuum process to make sure that the ingredient's nutrients are preserved.
WHY MORE ISN'T ALWAYS BETTER
When choosing supplements, quality is far more important than quantity. A small amount of a whole food vitamin is more beneficial to the human body than a large dose of its man-made counterpart. Supplements comprised solely of single man-made vitamins supply only a fraction of the whole vitamin complex, creating shortages of many important nutrients. Taking more of a man-made vitamin will not make up the difference.
It is often recommended that whole food supplements be taken throughout the day to provide their health benefits. When it comes to these supplements, balance is best.
GOING BEYOND THE LABEL
Just like any recipe, the quality of the ingredients you use affects the quality of the final product. Therefore, it's important to answer all these questions when evaluating a supplement and its effectiveness.
Manufacturers who grow many of their ingredients have the unique ability to control the quality of the ingredient from seed to supplement. Some manufacturers own certified organic farms to further enhance the quality of their ingredients.
When are ingredients processed?
When you buy a tomato, you inspect it for quality. You wouldn't knowingly buy one that was mushy and bruised. This same principle holds true for when ingredients are prime for harvest. Different foods reach their peak nutrient value during different times within the growing season. Pea vine, for example, is at its peak during the flowering stage.
Once harvested, food begins to lose its value. It is perishable like the tomato. If there is a delay of hours, days, or months from when an ingredient is harvested to when it's processed, many of its very delicate phytonutrients are lost.
Are the ingredient's vital factors retained?
Each ingredient has its own set of rules in relation to how to best package its vital components. The manufacturing process needs to retain the vital nutrients within the ingredients. Too much heat will destroy enzymes and phytonutrients. The manufacturer should use a low-temperature, high-vacuum process to make sure that the ingredient's nutrients are preserved.
Why Whole Foods?
There are hundreds of thousands of vitamin supplements available on today's market. You can buy them at a health food stores, drug stores, grocery stores, various retailers, through health care professionals, and on the internet.
When choosing a supplement, how do you determine which one to buy?
The package design?
The manufacturer?
The ingredients?
The label claims?
Where it's made?
How do you know for sure you are getting the best supplement for your body and your health?
CONSULT WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL
You trust your health care professional to provide quality care. It is important to speak with them about the supplements you are taking. They can provide recommendations and advice to you regarding supplements you need based upon your individual requirements. With their help, you will know the supplements you are taking are working.
Speak with your health care professional today to develop a nutritional care plan just for you. If you are in search of a Healthcare Professional, feel free to contact us at 936.788.6565 and schedule your consultation today!
