HEALTH
Wellness
Vitamin Quality
Some popular over the counter supplements contain few active or therapeutic
ingredients and manufacturing practices vary from brand to brand. Read
labels carefully and choose companies
that follow good manufacturing practices and offer high quality products.
Ingredient
Impurities
There is great curiosity about supplements and research
focused on them is gaining steam. The benefit of many natural
compounds has been documented consistently in the research, such
as the usefulness of Vitamin D for neurological health. Last year,
research from the medical journal Neurology presented a strong
link between dementia and Vitamin D deficiency (Littlejohns T. et
al 2014) while just a few months later, a different set of researchers
published a similar finding in the journal Epidemiology, showing
women with higher levels of Vitamin D had lower risks of dementia
(Knekt P. et al 2014). With the greater accessibility of natural remedies,
it seems that North Americans are better supported than ever when
it comes to getting healthy and preventing illness.
But what about conflicting reports in the media and in the research showing that
vitamins are of no benefit and those who take them are no healthier? Vitamin
supplementation has even been reported to be counterproductive and associated
with the development of health problems. So what do we make of the great vitamin
debate? How do we take what we read in the media and make good choices?
There are many great natural remedies but not all of them are created equal. Because
some supplements may have little or no therapeutic benefit it’s important to keep
these tips in mind when you decide on your natural health regimen.
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Some supplements contain non-therapeutic ingredients that are less than
ideal. Dyes, fillers, preservatives, sugar
and artificial flavoring agents are just a
few examples. The good news is that
many companies do offer very pure
products, so always check ingredient
lists for purity. The purer the product,
the more therapeutic benefit it can offer.
Lifestyle Quality
Chronic disease is on the rise in North
America. If you take vitamins but aren’t
eating, hydrating, exercising or sleeping properly, vitamins won’t protect you
against illnesses like arthritis, heart
disease or cancer.
More Is Not
Necessarily More
Some people take large doses of certain
nutrients to reach their health goals but
if you’re taking a poor quality supplement, or have a weak digestive system,
chances are you’re not absorbing what
you’re taking, even in higher doses.