Aspen Club and Spa

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.

Committing to my wellness goals of 20lb weight loss and 2 triathalon sprints before my 40th birthday in September was just a start. Like many of us, I considered myself pretty healthy to start. But I realized I was dieting and exercising hard without even taking any supplements for energy and vitality.

The Aspen Life program to the rescue! Casey set me up with the vitamin pack that was right for me and gave me some hints about when and how to take them.

I have never stayed on any supplements longer than a few weeks mostly because I hate swallowing pills and never felt much different. After 3 weeks, I can finally say I am committed to vitamin supplements! I take them with food in the morning; they are easy to swallow and don’t make me feel nauseous at all.

I would recommend these supplements to women who want to supplement their energy and nutrition, even if they haven’t committed to supplements in the past. The experts at the Aspen Club will make sure they are customized for your needs.

After a few months of dreary days, we are ready for a dose of sun. Not only in our minds and spirits, but in our hearts and in our…bones? Not only does the sun heighten our moods (light therapy anyone?)  it provides us with Vitamin D, which helps to maintain calcium levels in the bloodstream. Isn’t it cool that when the ultraviolet light in sun strikes the skin, it creates Vitamin D.  Ouila, just like that. The only significant source of Vitamin D via food consumption is fish liver.  Blah. So we douse ourselves in sun all day,  get a killer tan, and our RDA of Vitamin D, right?  Not so fast-too much sun exposure can be bad for you, nobody wants skin cancer and wrinkles.  So, what to do? A bit of sun each day is the answer-and a heavy dose of sunscreen, of course. But there is more good news! Natural vitamin supplements can provide us with Vitamin D, Calcium, and for the love of pete, Fish Liver Oil.

The hunters and gatherers in the days of yore spent much more time outside in the sun, getting about 10 times more Vitamin D than we do today. They also spent much more time being active, with all that hunting and gathering they had to do. Today, we can pick up our meals, vitamin supplements, and get a work out at the gym or spa. Now that is convenient. I still like to lay in the sun however, like a giant smiling seal splayed out on the rocks, taking in all the warmth.  I am looking forward to sunny days  at the park or stretched out on the beach.  Sun is good. My heart and mind needs it, and hey, I am getting Vitamin D, right?

The other day I was in “that” coffee shop, just ordering a standard cup of joe to go. I was suprised at the number of orders belted out before me where the customer had asked for soy milk instead of milk. I like soy milk with cereal or right out of the carton, but I can’t imagine a lattle with it or using it in place of good old half and half.

I think many would agree that in recent years, soy products have emerged as a staple for vegetarians/vegans or for those who are lactose intolerant and cannot stomach milk.  According to a little research, soy foods are often fermented, which modifies absortion of calcium, zinc and iron, which makes them more easily digestible.  Upon further poking around I was pretty suprised to read that while they are high in protein, heart healthy and have other benefits,  soy foods and products may not be as miraculous as they appear, or sound. Experts recommend soy, as all foods, should be consumed in moderation and isn’t a total replacement for proteins and other nutrients.

I guess its a matter of taste as well. While I can deal with tofu from time to time, I would never replace a burger or sandwich with something called tempeh or sietan. But I applaud those who do, its a personal choice.

I am curious about the calcium in soy…most doctors recommend a calcium supplement in addition to what we consume, especially for women.  Faced with so many choices at the local phamacy, its hard to choose which calcium pill to take. The one with magnesium?  And what do oyster shells have to do with anything?

I think I’ll continue my use of soy, in moderation. But I do need to find a calcium pill that s right for me and make  a point to take it regularly, now that is the hardest part.

I just received the Aspen Life Packs in the mail and I am so excited to get started. I love the look of the box that the vitamins come in, very clean and sleek. Being a busy mom of four young kids, the convenience of the daily packs is going to make my life so much easier. I have been feeling so worn down lately and I really hope to see a difference right away. I ended up getting the Antioxidant Pack. With the kids at school and me running around shopping  errands, I am exposed to a lot of people and places. I find that if I don’t watch my health, I start to feel worn down all the time. The pack has 10 pills, I have been taking 5 with breakfast and 5 with lunch. This makes it a lot easier and with the handy reseal package it’s not an issue. My Doctor recommended I take supplements and when I did a Google search for vitamin supplements I found the Aspen Life brand.