| The year was 2002 when the American Medical | | | | B-12 (200 - 400 mcg.), Biotin (400 - 800 |
| Association (AMA) reversed its stance | | | | mcg.), Choline (50 - 200 mg.), Folic Acid |
| regarding the use of vitamin supplements and | | | | (400 - 800 mcg.), Inositol (50 - 200 mg.), |
| advised every American to take at least one | | | | PABA (10 50 mg.), Vitamin C (1,000 - 3,000 |
| multi-vitamin a day! For the previous 20 | | | | mg.), Vitamin D-3 (400 I.U.), Vitamin E (200 |
| years, the AMA had promoted an official | | | | - 400 I.U.), Vitamin K (100 - 500 mcg.). |
| anti-vitamin-supplement policy and offered | | | | |
| their scorn to those who suggested that | | | | Natural Vitamins or Synthetic? |
| vitamin supplementation offered any health | | | | |
| benefits. | | | | You will find that vitamin supplements are |
| | | | divided into two groups: synthetic and |
| Their 2002 announcement was vindication for | | | | natural. The synthetic vitamins are produced |
| the many health professionals who had | | | | in laboratories from isolated chemicals and |
| advocated the use of vitamin supplements | | | | mirror their counterparts found in nature. |
| while for years enduring the criticism of the | | | | |
| U.S. health establishment. Finally, the AMA | | | | Natural vitamins are derived from food |
| was admitting that the American diet alone | | | | sources. Chemically, there may be no |
| does not provide adequate nutrition for | | | | difference, but synthetic vitamins contain |
| optimum health. However, their announcement | | | | only the isolated vitamin while natural |
| stopped short of explaining what the true | | | | supplements may contain other synergistic |
| role of vitamin supplements should be. | | | | nutrients not yet discovered. |
| | | | |
| Vitamin Amounts - How Much Is Enough? | | | | Generally, it is believed that synthetic and |
| | | | natural vitamins perform the same, but two |
| Data compiled by the U.S. Department of | | | | noted exceptions are vitamins D and E. The |
| Agriculture revealed that a minimum of 40% of | | | | synthetic forms are different than their |
| the American population consumes a diet that | | | | natural counterparts. Most health care |
| provides only 60% of the RDA of ten selected | | | | professionals recommend only the natural |
| nutrients. This means that half (maybe more) | | | | forms of these two vitamins. Natural vitamin |
| of the U.S. population has a deficiency of at | | | | D is identified as Vitamin D-3 and Natural |
| least one vitamin. Now, this by itself sounds | | | | Vitamin E is identified as d-alpha (not |
| startling, but consider this. | | | | dl-alpha) tocopherol. |
| | | | |
| The U.S. Food and Drug Administration | | | | Synthetic supplements may also contain coal |
| established the RDAs to give guidance for the | | | | tars, artificial coloring, preservatives, |
| avoidance of the symptoms of deficiency | | | | sugars, and starch and other harmful |
| diseases. For example, the RDA of 60 mg. for | | | | additives. You should also be aware that a |
| vitamin C is the daily amount needed to avoid | | | | supplement may be labeled "natural" and still |
| the symptoms of diseases like beriberi or | | | | have these harmful additives. Read labels |
| scurvy. The RDA of 60 mg. is not the amount | | | | carefully. |
| of vitamin C needed for optimal bodily | | | | |
| function. Health professionals routinely | | | | Vitamins found in nature do not exist in free |
| recommend a minimum daily intake of 1,000 mg. | | | | form. They are protein-bonded. Nutritional |
| of vitamin C and 3,000 - 5,000 mg. daily is | | | | studies have revealed that protein-bonded |
| common. | | | | vitamins, such as found in whole food |
| | | | supplements, are best absorbed, utilized and |
| The RDA for vitamin B-1 is 1.5 mg.; amounts | | | | retained in body tissues better than vitamins |
| of 50 - 100 mg. daily are recommended by | | | | that are not protein-bonded. Vitamins and |
| health professionals. The RDA for vitamin B-6 | | | | minerals found in food are bonded to |
| is 2 mg.; amounts of 50 - 100 mg daily are | | | | proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and |
| recommended. The RDA for vitamin B-12 is 6 | | | | bioflavonoids. Chemically derived vitamins |
| mcg.; amounts of 200 - 400 mcg. daily are | | | | are not protein-bonded. |
| recommended. | | | | |
| | | | What About Minerals? |
| A similar finding is true for all the RDA | | | | |
| amounts established for vitamins and mineral | | | | Excesses of isolated vitamins or minerals can |
| supplements. This means that an ordinary OTC | | | | cause the same symptoms as the deficiency of |
| "multi-vitamin" promoting the old RDAs will | | | | vitamins or minerals. Therefore, having the |
| offer only minimal benefits. When you select | | | | correct balance of vitamins and minerals is |
| a multiple-vitamins supplement, you will want | | | | very important. |
| to choose one that offers a high enough daily | | | | |
| dosage to provide nutrient amounts that | | | | It is best to select a broad spectrum |
| enable good health. | | | | multi-vitamins / minerals supplement because |
| | | | there is a cooperative action between certain |
| Before using any supplements, you should | | | | vitamins and minerals. For example, the |
| consult with your doctor or health care | | | | following shows the relationship between a |
| professional, but here is a partial list of | | | | listed vitamin and the nutrient(s) required |
| nutrient amounts you can use as a guide: | | | | for assimilation: Vitamin A (plus choline, |
| Vitamin A (5,000 to 10,000 I.U.), Vitamin B-1 | | | | essential fatty acids, vitamin C, D and E), |
| (50 - 100 mg.), Vitamin B-2 (15 - 50 mg.), | | | | Vitamin B complex (plus calcium, vitamin C |
| Vitamin B-3 (15 - 50 mg.), Vitamin B-5 (50 - | | | | and E), Vitamin B6 (plus potassium, vitamin B |
| 100 mg.), Vitamin B-6 (50 - 100 mg.), Vitamin | | | | complex, vitamin C). |