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How To Select Effective, Pure and Superior Supplements
One of the pitfalls of purchasing a guidebook to natural therapies is
that too often the author neglects to give the reader specific direction
about what to look for when shopping. Most of us who wander down the
aisles of a health food store often feel as though we need the services
of a health translator. Hundreds of strange sounding compounds fill
countless shelves and even deciding on which vitamin C supplement or
what kind of calcium is best can be difficult and frustrating. Through
my practice and personal research, I have come to believe in the
profound value of guaranteed potency, the importance of the proper
delivery system and the notion that all compounds are not created equal.
In other words, a vitamin or antioxidant compound that has been
chemically synthesized in the laboratory may act very differently inside
the human body than those extracted from natural sources.
In general, you want to look for vitamins and minerals extracted from
natural sources, when possible and practical, herbs that have a
guaranteed percentage of their active ingredients (they usually cost a
bit more), and supplements that come from reputable companies. In
addition, all minerals are not created equal as far as assimilation
goes. In other words, a zinc lozenge can be more effective than a zinc
tablet. Certain forms of calcium are better absorbed than others. Many
over-the-counter forms of calcium come from inexpensive inorganic
sources such as calcium oxide or carbonate which is often found in
antacid products. These forms of calcium are not well absorbed,
therefore, you may be faithfully taking what you think is an adequate
calcium supplement and still become calcium deficient. Enteric coatings
enable certain nutrients to bypass the stomach and dissolve in the
intestinal tract, where they will be of much more value for diseases
like irritable bowel disorder. Enteric garlic, for example, would be
more effective as a treatment for colon disorders than regular garlic
capsules. Some organic vitamins are also better assimilated than
synthetic varieties. For example, organic vitamin E derived from soy is
much more effective than its artificially synthesized counterpart. It's
also important to know that much of vitamin B12 is lost through the
digestion process; therefore, a sublingual form is preferable. Beta
carotene converts to vitamin A; thus, taking beta carotene may be
preferrable to vitamin A supplementation in that large doses of vitamin
A can be toxic, especially for pregnant women. In general, look for the
following:
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Chelated minerals or
plant-derived trace minerals with no aluminum additives.
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Vitamins and minerals
from organic sources where possible. Note: Many natural products
contain a combination of naturally and synthetically derived
nutrients. In the case of vitamin C, for example, ascorbic acid may be
used rather than just rose hips due to the high cost of the natural
source.
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Free-form amino acids.
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Calcium (gluconate,
citrate, aspartate, lactate). Note: Carbonate is acceptable if
combined with other sources. Citrate has a good track record for
absorbability and assimilation.
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Zinc and chromium
picolinate or, GTF chromium; these forms are much more desirable.
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Enteric-coated peppermint
oil capsules for bowel applications.
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B12 and B6 in sublingual
tablets.
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Vitamin E with selenium.
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Calcium with magnesium.
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Wild yam for progesterone
in cream/topical forms.
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Shark cartilage in
powdered bulk form for practicality in treating tumors.
Proteolytic enzymes (can also be enteric coated to dissolve in bowel
only).
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Iron from natural sources
such as ferrous gluconate or certain botanicals.
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Acidophilus in liquid or
capsule form that guarantees bacterial count and includes
bifidobacteria (check expiration date).
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Glucosamine sulfate with
chondroitin sulfate (without chondroitin present, glucosamine's action
is limited).
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Protein from soy or other
vegetable sources.
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Guaranteed potency herbs.
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Broad spectrum
antioxidant blends using
Information provided in the
Education section is provided by Woodland Publishing, Inc. and/or other
independent third parties that are unaffiliated with The Herb Shop, and
is intended to provide an electronic reference library about nutrition
and health. The views expressed in the Education section are the views
of the authors and have not been independently viewed or confirmed by
The Herb Shop, and are not necessarily the views of The Herb Shop ©
1998-2007 Woodland Publishing, Inc. and/or the respective copyright
owner. For more information call Woodland Publishing at 800 777-BOOK.
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