How to Choose a Quality Multi-Vitamin/Mineral
By Dr. Bruce Miller, DDS, CNS
Dr. Bruce Miller is a
Certified Nutrition Specialist, a member of the Linus
Pauling Institute of Science and Medicine, International
College of Applied Nutrition, American College of Nutrition,
and is a charter member of Dr. Kenneth Cooper's Aerobics
Center. He is' the author of over 30 books and videos
on nutrition.
CHOOSING A PROPER "MULTI" IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT BECAUSE
IT IS THE FOUNDATION OF YOUR. NUTRITION PROGRAM.
How
Is Your Health?
.
Would
you like to feel better? Of course, everyone does. We
want to feel better, have more energy and possibly prevent
or delay health problems in the future. But how? We
know we need to eat right. Our government has given
us the new food pyramid. Which is an excellent way to
eat. Sad to say, recent surveys show only 7% of Americans
have chosen to eat this way. For most it
. is difficult, if not impossible, to get all those
servings every day due to our fast-paced 'lifestyles,
meals eaten on the run, diverse schedules and unwise
food choices. Therefore, many are deciding to use food
supplements as insurance for the nutrients they be missing
in their daily diets.
What
is missing?
. .
There
are 24 essential vitamins and minerals you should be
getting every day. Are you positive you get all 24,
in your daily, freely chosen food intake? If you do
not get these in your diet every day, chances are you
are not feeling and performing as well as you possibly
could if you consumed these nutrients daily. This is
where a good multi-vitamin/mineral comes into the picture.
What
is the purpose of a multi-vitamin/mineral?
Its
purpose is to insure that your daily nutrient intake
is at least adequate in the supply of the Daily Value
(DV has replaced the old U.S.RDA). It should also contain
a good amount of some micronutrients not as yet approved
by the_ government, but which are in the process of
approval. A well-nourished person looks better, performs
more efficiently, has more energy, and perhaps can avoid
some of the diseases we mistakenly blame on age itself.
Wouldn't you like to have these pluses in your life?
What
is our problem?
It
is difficult to sort through the thousands of "multis"
on the market today to be sure to purchase a quality
supplement. Would you like some basic common sense
rules for reading labels and small print on the bottles?
If your "multi" can pass these rules,
Then..
you are purchasing a quality product.
The rules appear below in a condensed form. On
the next page these rules are presented with
additional information. A chart comparing some of the
more popular brands on the market today is also included.
Then a critique of these products is given at the end.
Our concern...your better health!!
THE SIX RULES FOR LABEL READING
Rule
One:
Biotin
is vital for health and should be present in 100%
of the Daily Value.
Rule
Two:
The
eight members of the B complex in a multi should be
right on 100% of the Daily Value.
_Rule
Three:
It
should contain adequate amounts of calcium, magnesium,
and phosphorus.
_Rule Four:
It should contain no artificial colors. No one is deficient
in artificial colors.
Rule
Five:
Trace
elements such as chromium, molybdenum, silicon, boron,
nickel, selenium, manganese, tin, and vanadium should
be present.
Rule
Six:
The
label should state that it has been clinically tested
and has proven bioavailabiltiy. This means proof that
it gets absorbed.
How
will these rules help? If you will use these simple
rules when you shop for a "multi" supplement, you will
be able to select a quality product. If you are taking
a product not listed on the chart, there is a blank
column to fill in for your product. Please do this!
Become aggressive about your better health! Use the
rules and see how your preparation measures up.
