| Vitamin and nutritional supplements do not | | | | of the RDA. The RDA includes 17 nutrients in |
| guarantee good health, but they can certainly help | | | | particular amounts of dosages; these nutrients |
| you meet the Recommended Dietary Allowance | | | | include vitamins A, C, D, E, B6, B12, thiamin, niacin, |
| (RDA) for vitamins and minerals. If like many | | | | riboflavin, folic acid (folacin), calcium, magnesium, |
| Americans, you find it difficult to obtain a | | | | phosphorus, iodine, iron, selenium, and zinc. It can |
| complete and well-balanced daily diet, then you | | | | also include vitamin K, which aids in blood clotting, |
| should consider taking supplements. | | | | but is only available by prescription. |
| How much do you need? | | | | Higher dosages of vitamin and nutritional |
| If you do not have any deficiency for a particular | | | | supplements that exceed 100% of the |
| nutrient, your body will usually absorb only about | | | | RDA--needed for countering deficiencies as |
| 10 percent to 15 percent of the nutrients from | | | | determined by a physician--are usually sold as |
| vitamin and nutritional supplements. The remaining | | | | sole-vitamins or minerals. |
| 85 percent is excreted in your urine. This means | | | | Some reminders |
| that for every $10.00 you spend on vitamin and | | | | Always remember that the Food and Drug |
| nutritional supplements, $8.50 of it can be going | | | | Administration Board does not regulate the |
| down the toilet. | | | | manufacture and sale of vitamin and nutritional |
| Still, taking one multivitamin a day (a multivitamin | | | | supplements. Therefore, it is important to look for |
| that includes 100 percent of the RDA for vitamins | | | | a nutritional supplement manufacturer that strictly |
| and minerals) will not hurt, especially if you are | | | | complies with GMP standards. GMP-compliance |
| consuming less than 1600 calories per day. | | | | assures you that a product is tested for |
| However, nothing can replace a proper meal. | | | | cleanliness and is free of contaminants and |
| Eating a balanced diet that meets the RDA is still | | | | prescription drugs. It also assures you that a |
| the most effective way of obtaining all the | | | | product contains the right amount of ingredients |
| vitamins, minerals, and nutrients you need for a | | | | and dosage, based on the Recommended Dietary |
| healthy body. | | | | Allowances and as indicated in the label. |
| Recommended Dietary Allowances | | | | You should also refrain from buying nutritional |
| Vitamin and nutritional supplements sold in the | | | | supplements that contain additives such as sugar, |
| market can take the form of sole-vitamins (i.e. | | | | starch, gluten, silica, and artificial flavors or colors. |
| only vitamin C), or of multi-vitamins. Most | | | | Supplements from GMP-compliant manufacturers |
| multi-vitamins in the US contain only 100 percent | | | | are free of such additives. |