Whole Food Vitamin Supplement

Whole food vitamin supplement provide extra supplies of micronutrients needed by the body for: growth, digestion and nerve function; metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into energy; and cellular repair. Different vitamins come from different food sources, and a varied and healthy diet should provide you with many of them. A whole food vitamin supplement can help you make up for those underrepresented in your diet.

Vitamins and minerals are micronutrients that serve a specific purpose and benefit the body in a unique way. For example, vitamin A supports vision and bone growth, whereas vitamin E strengthens the immune system and helps repair DNA. Vitamin and mineral deficiency can impair the body’s ability to heal and protect itself.

According to the Harvard School of Public Health, "intake of several vitamins above the minimum daily requirement may prevent heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis, and other chromic diseases." Taking vitamins does not make up for an unhealthy diet, and vitamins are an insufficient substitute for nutrients from fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains, but a general multivitamin and mineral supplement can be a good safeguard.

There are a lot of different companies marketing supplemental products. Quality does matter so read the ingredients and learn about the manufacturers. It's up to the consumer to practice caveat emptor ("Let the buyer beware."). Always consult your health care professional before taking any type of supplement and purchase products from a reputable store or health practitioner.

When you shop for health supplement, look for the following:

• Established brands. Certain companies have been manufacturing quality supplement for decades. Research or ask questions to determine the best brands.

• Specific herbal information. You should know the Latin name of an herb, including genus and species, or the common name of the herb you want. Most herbs have more than one species, and not every species has medicinal value.

• Mystery ingredients or “flowering agents.” Many whole food vitamin supplement manufacturers use “fillers” to make the production of the supplement easier and faster. Examples of fillers, often referred to on the label as “flowering agents,” are magnesium stearate, palmitic acid, stearic acid, gelatin, silica and other artificial colors or flavors. They compromise the effectiveness of the nutrients in the supplement, and some people may experience side effects from them.

• Customer service information. Ideally, either a toll-free phone number to call, a website, or both.

• Recommendations for use. Does the bottle or other container clearly state how much of the supplement to take and when?

• Amount per serving and % Daily Value (the latter will say "Daily Value not established" for herbs). See Helpguide's Nutrition Facts Labels: A Guide to Understanding DVs, RDAs and DRIs .

• Additives statement. The product should state whether it is free of common allergens, such as corn, wheat, and milk.

• Warning statement. For example, "Do not use if you are pregnant."

• Lot number. Helps manufacturers locate the original batch if problems arise.

• Expiration date. Make sure it's post-dated for at least the length of time you will spend using up the contents.

• Storage instructions.

Whole food vitamin supplement may not be risk-free under certain circumstances. Be sure to consult your health practitioner before purchasing or taking any supplement if you are:

• pregnant,
• nursing a baby, or
• have a chronic medical condition such as, diabetes, hypertension or heart disease.

Also, while whole food vitamin supplement and mineral supplement are generally considered safe for children, you may wish to check with your doctor before giving these or any other dietary supplement to your child. In addition:

• Don't substitute supplement for medication. If you plan to use a dietary supplement in place of drugs, consult your health care provider first. Many whole food vitamin supplement contain active ingredients that have strong biological effects and their safety is not assured.

• Be cautious about drug interactions. Some supplement may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines. Taking a combination of supplement or using the products with medications (whether prescription or OTC drugs) can cause dangerous interactions which could be life-threatening.

• Some supplement can have unwanted effects during surgery. You may be asked to stop taking certain products 2-4 weeks ahead of time to avoid potentially dangerous supplement/drug interactions, such as changes in heart rate, blood pressure and increased bleeding. Talk with your doctor about everything you are taking before the surgery.

• Some supplements are known to be dangerous. Just because a product is on the market does not mean it is definitely safe. There are some known toxic herbs, such as: aristolochia (conclusively linked to kidney failure and cancer in the U.S., China, Europe, and Japan); yohimbe (a sexual stimulant linked to heart and respiratory problems); bitter orange (has effects similar to those of the banned stimulant ephedra); and chaparral (linked to liver damage).

Before taking any whole food vitamin supplement, ask yourself:

1. Is this supplement known to be safe?
2. Do I have enough information about this supplement?
3. Does this supplement interact with any food or drug I am consuming?
4. Can I afford this supplement?

You should always focus on the health food source for vitamins, because they are ingested naturally into your system through the normal breakdown of food. But taking the above whole food vitamin supplement will not hurt either.