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American Medical Association: Take Your Multi

Mom always told you to take your vitamins. Now your doctor agrees with her, too.

Until recently, the medical community officially refrained from recommending multivitamins for healthy adults. But all that changed last month when the Journal of the American Medical Association published a report that vitamins can, in fact, be a key tool in chronic disease prevention.

Vitamin deficiencies have been linked to risk factors for cardiovascular disease, neural tube defects, colon and breast cancer, osteoporosis, and many chronic diseases. The recommendation from the JAMA report states that, “Most people do not consume an optimal amount of all vitamins by diet alone… it appears prudent for all adults to take vitamin supplements.”

Unfortunately for those following the eat right and you don’t need to supplement advice, the human cost may have been tragic, resulting in chronic diseases that, in many cases, might have been prevented or significantly delayed.

How to Choose a Supplement
Unfortunately, with thousands of natural compounds on the market, many consumers are forced to purchase vitamin supplements based on advertising and marketing rather than science and research. The following is a list of consumer tips when making a supplement choice.

In truth, not all vitamin supplements are created equal. Currently, the supplement industry is somewhat unregulated. The government does not require supplement manufacturers to test their products (the exception to this regulation is the pharmaceutical manufacturer). Consumers should evaluate supplements based on the below criteria.

Manufacturing
By selecting a supplement that is made by a licensed pharmaceutical manufacturer, the consumer is more likely to receive a product made using GMPs (Good Manufacturing Practices). Drug companies use GMPs for manufacturing FDA-approved drugs and can easily utilize such controls for dietary supplements. Testing assures the highest levels of purity, potency and stability.

Safety, Purity and Potency
SafetyIts important to avoid “mega dosing” even of vitamin supplements. More is not always better and, in extreme cases, can prove to be toxic. A supplement formula should take into account a persons dietary habits and the fact that they are already deriving some vitamins and minerals from their current diet to prevent the possibility of excessive intake.

Puritydoes the product contain what it is supposed to and with no contaminants? Are the raw materials thoroughly tested?

PotencyDo the active forms of the compound remain stable during the manufacturing process and throughout the shelf life?

Efficacy and Delivery System
Vitamins and minerals come in different forms. A good multivitamin and mineral supplement incorporates the ideal form of the compound so that it is released properly after ingestion. That way the right compounds reach the right tissues at the right time to be readily absorbed, transported and utilized by the body. If too much of a compound is released too quickly, the cells cannot accept it all and a great deal of it is excreted at each dose. Enrobing (coating the compounds in a tablet) enables the compounds to be utilized properly.

The Aspen Life Solution
For further information on multivitamins and other nutritional supplements or to conduct an individualized supplement screening, check out our products section.