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