| There are innumerable patented vitamin | | | | Vitamin supplements must be taken with meals, |
| supplements available in the market, but what is | | | | unless prescribed otherwise. |
| essential to us is to be determined, after properly | | | | In the digestive process only 10 percent of the |
| understanding the relevance of supplements. The | | | | vitamins and minerals are absorbed by the body, |
| first and foremost concept is that the nutritional | | | | with the aid of enzymes; they will get attached to |
| supplements are not food and do not take the | | | | the protein molecule. Without these protein |
| place of real food. They are only boosters to our | | | | Chaperones, the body will not accept the vitamins |
| food. | | | | and minerals, and in the process the body will |
| Studies have revealed that vitamins from the | | | | absorb some of these proteins chaperones which |
| natural food sources are having an absorption | | | | will be filtered out, later through kidneys. That is |
| level of 77 to 93 per cent, while supplements | | | | why the urine becomes yellow after taking a |
| have only 10 per cent absorption. Similarly, the | | | | vitamin supplement. Excess riboflavin makes urine |
| minerals through natural plant sources have | | | | yellow, and indicates that the body is rejecting the |
| absorption level up to 63 to 78 per cent, while the | | | | 'foreign' chemicals. |
| artificial supplements have only 1 to 5 per cent. | | | | TIPS FOR CHOOSING A SUPPLEMENT: |
| The explanation for this dissimilarity is that in | | | | Remember that only 10 pr cent of the vitamins |
| nature each vitamin and mineral molecule is | | | | and minerals are absorbed by our body when we |
| attached to a protein molecule. It is Dr.Gunter | | | | take the supplements. For example, 100mg of a B |
| Blobel who proved the fact and received Nobel | | | | vitamin is needed to provide our body with about |
| Prize in 1999. According to him the molecule acted | | | | 10mg. This is enough. |
| as a "chaperone" that tells the body that the | | | | Watch BP (British Pharma copoeia) indicators on |
| vitamin and minerals are not just chemicals but a | | | | the capsules to determine the quality of vitamin |
| food. This discovery was the KEY for our | | | | isolates which are easily dissolvable in the digestive |
| understanding of how the vitamins and minerals | | | | process. |
| getting into the blood stream and into the cells. | | | | Look for Chelate or Chelated in relation to the |
| The vitamin in supplements is in the very basic | | | | minerals. This means that the minerals are |
| isolated form of each vitamin, completely stripped | | | | attached to the protein before they are added to |
| of any protein. | | | | the supplement to improve absorption. |
| There are three types of supplements, liquid, | | | | Also, watch for enzymes in the formulation to |
| tablets and capsules. The liquid supplements are | | | | ensure mineral absorption, which are essential for |
| inconvenient in many respects. But they are | | | | attaching protein molecules to vitamins in digestion. |
| perfect for those who are having trouble in | | | | Look for a supplement that has a food base, |
| swallowing pills and for children. | | | | which is concentrated plant material to which |
| Tablets are formed by mixing vitamin | | | | vitamins and minerals are added. This is the best |
| supplements with organic or inorganic cements | | | | option. |
| and compressed into its shape. There are coated | | | | The most important factor is that the |
| tablets also. The dosage will be one or two tablets | | | | supplements should suit your body. One should |
| per day. | | | | definitely feel a noticeable difference in your health |
| Capsules are loosely packed gelatine containers | | | | and energy within a few days with the |
| that dissolve quickly. This is better than tablets. | | | | supplements. |