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Sunday, April 30, 2017

Multi-vitamins: Beneficial or Expensive Urine?

One out of three Americans take a multivitamin daily.  The supplement/ vitamin industry brings in an estimated $36 billion dollars per year.  Did you know that over 50% of the common multivitamin brands do not even get digested in our bodies!  It should only take approximately twenty minutes for our bodies to break down and absorb the nutrients, although this rarely happens and out they go. 
A National Institutes of Health State-of-the-Science Panel examined the issue of vitamin and mineral supplements for the prevention of chronic disease.  They found that there was no evidence for or against in preventing chronic disease.

Isolated nutrients and minerals never have the same beneficial effect as healthy whole foods, as has been shown time and time again in repeated failed trials.  In addition, some studies say there is a higher risk of kidney stone and heart attacks in those using calcium supplements.

Supplementation is not replacement.
We need to get as much nutrition as possible from fresh, whole foods.  Fruits and vegetables contain thousands of vitamins and minerals, plus antioxidants, enzymes, phytonutrients and more all working together with very specific biological effects on our bodies.  They need to work together to optimally provide us with the most benefits.

Two vitamins that should be taken by everyone are Vitamin D and Vitamin B 12 (plant-based eaters especially).  
Vitamin D is one of the most powerful cancer-fighting elements in the body with
countless other beneficial, immune boosting capabilities.  Our bodies produce Vitamin D from exposure to sunlight (15-20 minutes direct noon time sunlight), but an SPF sunscreen as low as 8 cuts of our bodies ability to produce this needed element by 99%.  Most sunscreens contain the chemical oxybenzone which disrupts our hormone system.  Remember our skin is the largest organ of our body don't slather on a lethal concoction of chemicals on it.  Be responsible and don't get sunburned!  Those living in northern areas and working indoors should take Vitamin D supplements also.

Vitamin B 12 is actually a microbe found in dirt!  Most common source are dairy, eggs and fish.  The cows and chickens get it from grazing and pecking in the dirt.  Fish from eating seaweeds etc.  Obviously if you are plantbased you won't be getting this vital nutrient from these sources.  Fortified nut milks, Nutritional yeast  and B 12 supplement from a methylcobalamin source.  More on that subject in a few weeks. 

So for most of us without a specific deficiency issue we should be getting our vitamins and minerals from our healthy food choices. 

By consuming a balanced  nutrient dense diet we can lead a happy healthy life. 


Have a great week.
Be kind.
Judd

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