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The
Reality of Vitamins
I
was watching television recently and saw a commercial for vitamins from a
company not known for producing supplements. While it is good to see that
attention to nutrition and a proactive approach to health is entering the
mainstream, it became apparent that along with mass information comes mis-information.
Among the vitamins offered in the commercial were what appeared
to be vitamin E capsules which are transparent themselves, being sold in a
clear jar.
Many do not realize that vitamins are often sensitive to exposure
to light and temperature change. Vitamin
E is one of those and can be rendered virtually useless when exposed to
light. Have you ever noticed
that the supplements we carry in the office are in opaque containers? This
serves an important purpose. But the consumer does not necessarily receive
that information from a TV ad. They might seek advice from their medical
doctor, but many medical schools do not require training in nutrition or
supplements so they are often not equipped to provide information. So who
do you turn to? Your
chiropractor, your nutritionist, perhaps your osteopath or a medical
doctor who has had specific training in nutrition.
One of these professionals should be able to get you started on
adjusting your diet and supplement routine to suit your condition and
nutritional goals. If nutrition is not their area of expertise, surely
they can point you in the direction of a qualified professional.
Of
course, proper packaging is only one of the issues that arise from
hundreds of companies rapidly tapping the health-improvement market.
This poses a tricky situation for the consumer who may be choosing
supplements in a health food store based on a number of factors such as
recommended dosage, price and reliability.
It is important to know how much of a nutrient or vitamin your body
can absorb. There is no point in taking a super high dosage for the
convenience if your body will expel much of it anyway.
So much to think about! It
is overwhelming to look up at a full wall of supplements and try to
determine which is the highest quality for the best value. Working with your doctor is a
good place to start especially if she or he can suggest a particularly
trusted brand. Here are some
other basic tips to help you manage your vitamin and supplement routine.
Acidophilus
and Flax Seed Oil should always be found in a refrigerated case. Oils
need to be carefully monitored. They can go rancid. Try purchasing a
smaller bottle initially so you are sure to use the whole thing before it
starts to age and check the expiration date.
There is typically a strong difference in odor and taste once oil
has turned.
 Generally,
daily vitamin packs in clear wrapping have little worth. Carefully
select your own bottles of vitamins and then try using an opaque pill sorter to keep track of your daily routine. Remember not
to include any refrigerated supplements in your pill sorter unless you
keep that sorter in the refrigerator.
Caffeine
can adversely affect the absorption of some vitamins and minerals. If you
choose to consume caffeine, try not to take your supplements at the same
time.
Make note of what vitamins cause stomach
discomfort. Ask your doctor/advisor if there is anything that can be
done to reduce or eliminate that discomfort (perhaps taking it with meals,
etc.)
Vitamin E
supports the efficacy of Vitamin C.
They should be taken together when possible. Quality Vitamin E supplements
will always come in an opaque container.
Liquid,
tablet or capsule?
This is usually simply a matter of preference, but something still to
consider.
Omega-3
Fish oils
come both in liquid and in gel caps. Because many don’t like the taste
of fish oil, they prefer to take the capsules. Some oils have a fruit
extract added to enhance the taste. Personally, I have been amazed at the
pleasant result of those liquids and happy they have made them
“burp-free.” Liquid oils should always be refrigerated after being
opened. Fish oil should be
chosen carefully. High quality fish oils have been distilled for mercury,
pesticides and other trace heavy metals. As with prime fish, fish oils are
in high demand and production costs are expensive. You will want a
professional’s advice on which oil may be right for you. Some oils help
your heart while others help your brain and nervous system. This
supplement is extremely important for brain health and heart health and we
have a brand in the office produced by a company I trust.
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Multi-vitamins
should be carefully chosen. Many grocery store brands fall short of my
standards. They are typically better than nothing, but there are much better
products available.
Flax seed
oil,
while it makes a great salad dressing oil, should not be heated. It will be
ineffective if you cook with it. I
have drizzled it over vegetables or simply mixed it with my juice and fiber.
Fiber
supplements vary widely. If you are able to adjust to the texture, I
recommend psyllium husk fiber powder. Some
other brands contain a great deal of sugar/sweeteners which can mean bigger
doses are required to achieve the desired affect.
Synthetic sweeteners are also counter indicated for brain health.
It
is imperative that you share with
your medical doctor all supplements
and medications you are taking. Particularly when preparing for surgery,
it is most important to assess what you are taking well before the surgery
takes place. Certain supplements can cause unwanted affects in relation to a
surgical procedure.
Your
body’s ability to absorb nutrients is crucial to gaining positive change from improved
nutrition. A professional can help you determine if your medical history or
symptoms you are experiencing may indicate an inability to properly
digest food and absorb nutrients. Constipation would be one example of
this. In this case, the addition of nutritional supplements needs to be
carefully implemented after the gut has been healed.
This is a good example of why it is not
advisable to embark on a vitamin program without the advice of a
professional. It is pointless to spend time and money taking supplements
that your body may be unable to absorb.
Quality
is essential. Who wants to spend time, money and energy on a supplement
program if it turns out to be poor quality and thus ineffective? Take the
time to do the research before you invest in supplements. This is one of
those things where you likely get what you pay for.
I have carefully chosen a few companies whom I trust that make
supplements we offer in the office for your convenience and to insure the
best health outcomes.
Sticking
to it:
consistency makes an enormous difference when it comes to nutrition.
If you have just started taking supplements, you will likely not see a
difference for a month or even two. Some
find it helpful to keep a journal of symptoms to have a log to look back on
for comparison. Whatever you can do to keep yourself on track with your
supplements will be worth it in the end. If you’ve chosen the liquid fish
oil and it tastes revolting to you, it is likely you won’t be good about
taking it. Opt for the capsule instead.
Make the habit a pleasurable one in whatever way suits you.
Don’t forget to factor in your supplement regime when planning
travel and vacation. Just like exercise or other self-enrichment activities,
remember that feeding your body is a gift to yourself. Honor your body by
treating yourself well.
As
always,
be certain to consult your doctor or health care provider before making any
changes to your nutritional or supplement routine.
The
office will be closed
August 27th through September
7th
for summer holiday. Dr. Theirl will not be reachable by email, pager
or phone during this time.
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