Yes, Doctors are now recommending to their patients that they supplement. Why? Many people do not consume an optimal amount of all vitamins by diet alone. Unhealthy lifestyle such as poor eating habits, of course have taken their toll on our health. But what if I eat all organic, good stuff, you say? It would be nice if that were enough. Unfortunately, because our soil is depleted of nutrients, the average vegetable found in today’s supermarket is anywhere from 5% to 40% lower in minerals than those harvested 50 years ago.

OK, so what’s the big deal? The big deal is that we are killing ourselves with a fork – what we eat on a daily, weekly, monthly basis is SO tied to our health that our bodies have started showing the results of our poor diet – cancer, heart disease, diabetes and a host of other health issues are directly linked to our nutrient deficiencies.

So, what can I do? Well, some you already know. Exercise regularly, cut down on your stress and eat right. Eating right includes supplementing your diet. But before you run down to the corner pharmacy and buy a $10 multivitamin, you must consider whether that is going to be your best solution. Let’s talk about a few things to consider.

Go beyond the minimum The governments RDA (recommended daily allowance) was established in the 1940s – they are severely outdated and were designed to prevent diseases such as rickets and scurvy. In 1997 the Food and Nutrition board created DRI (Dietary Reference Intake). This scale goes beyond the minimums and reflects amounts of vitamins, minerals, macronutrients and phytonutrients needed to sustain optimal health.

Bioavailability is the key to maximizing nutrient intake This means the amount of or rate at which a substance is accessible to the body. Bioavailability can be an issue with vitamins. Many people take their vitamins and supplements in pill form, which may be passing through them largely undigested, unused and unable to do their body any good. Much greater absorption happens when the vitamins are in liquid form.

Synergism Enhances Nutrient Benefits Synergism is what is called when nutrients work together. It’s often the combination of nutrients that offers the most powerful support in preventing disease. That’s why simply popping a Vitamin C or Vitamin E pill alone is not very effective. For example, Vitamin C works synergistically with vitamin E to enhance immune function. And vitamin D and calcium are key partners. One doesn’t work without the other.

Choose wisely: All Supplements Are Not Created Equal Quality testing by consumer watch-dog groups shows that not all nutritional supplements contain the full amount of nutrients promised on the label. Many failed to contain the labeled amount of at least one nutrient, and several did not dissolve adequately. Other companies use substandard ingredients and manufacturing practices that cause the product to vary widely from batch to batch. Look for supplements manufactured by a reputable company that ensures its products’ potency and quality. Supplements also should have GMP (good manufacturing practice) compliance, state of the art manufacturing and research facilities and quality control measures in place.

Article thanks to Julie Waterman, independent distributor, Reliv Nutrition.