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The Truth About Nutritional Supplements
It has been estimated that our food supply has changed more over the last 50 years than it had in the previous 10,000 years. Unfortunately, this dramatic change has not been in the best interest of our overall health. Due to the industrialization of our food, the foods we eat do not have the same level of nutrients that they once had. This can be attributed to the addition of hormones, antibiotics, preservatives and other additives which have decreased the nutritional value of what we eat and literally create excess stress within the body. Studies have shown that our soil has fewer minerals now compared to soil samples from just 30 years ago. This is due in part to the overuse of pesticides, fertilizers and other chemicals in the farming of our fruits and vegetables. If you also take into account all of the many unhealthy ways that we prepare our foods which can literally zap out the essential nutrients from our diet (microwave ovens, deep fryers, etc.), you can see that it can be very difficult for us to reach optimum health based on our way of eating.
Theoretically, high quality supplements can fill this nutritional void and help to counteract any ill effects that our imperfect diet may have on us. However, not all nutritional supplements are created equal. In fact, more than 95% of the products on the market today are of very poor quality and would be a complete waste of your money if you were to purchase them. Some products may actually do more harm than good. Therefore, it is important that you know what to look for when purchasing nutritional supplements for you and your family.
The following is Dr. Jay Weber, D.C.’s Buyer’s Guide to High Quality Nutritional Supplements:
- Avoid Tablets: Research shows that tablets are very difficult to digest. Absorption will typically be limited to 15-20% of any product taken in this form. Tablets can also cause liver damage due to the elevated liver enzymes needed to digest them. Buy capsules, gel caps or liquid vitamins only.
- Beware of Additives, Fillers & Lubricants: The machines that produce many nutritional supplements need to be lubricated in order to work properly & run more efficiently. This is fantastic for the machines, bad for anyone taking the product. You see, these lubricants bind to the product & prevent proper absorption of the active nutrients that you paid for. These lubricants are typically listed on the label as “other ingredients.” The most common of these additives are: Stearic Acid, Magnesium Stearate and Ascorbyl Palmitate (which is often labeled as Vitamin C). Do not buy products that have these listed on their label!!
It takes a bit of searching and label reading to find a true, high quality nutritional supplement. By using the above criteria, you will give your body the best chance of absorbing the nutrients that you purchased.
Note: Using the guidelines above, there are currently only two vitamin companies that The Intention Wellness Center endorses: Thorne Research (over 250 Thorne products are available through our office) and Paradise Herbs (available at Whole Foods, Henry’s, etc.).
For more information on Thorne Research products call our office at (714) 544-2423, or click here to visit their web site.
Call The Intention Wellness Center today for more information.
