Should You Kick the Multivitamin Habit? (chapter3)

Buyer Beware: Who's minding the shop's vitamin?

It still shocks people that the FDA does not regulate supplements, including vitamins, minerals and herbs, just as for drugs. Supplements will not need to undergo any safety testing before arriving in stores. Despite 2007 legislation that increased marginally to FDA authority, health and safety Critics say the FDA has sufficient resources to oversee the sector.

Some new bills proposed in Congress would give FDA more oversight and execution of the muscle, but in the meantime, these corridors are truly buyer beware areas. Protect yourself: Choose products with seals of quality-testing companies such as United States Pharmacopeia (USP) and NSF. Supplement companies pay to have their products evaluated according to the strictest protocols that check for contaminants and to ensure that the products contain exactly what their labels say. You can also subscribe to ConsumerLab.com, an independent testing organization, for reports on groups of specific supplement such as omega-3. Finally, do not take supplements without talking to your doctor. Many interact with medications or can worsen health conditions.

Are you eating more vitamins than you think

You will find that many of the same vitamins and minerals in their multiples also are plentiful in fortified foods like orange juice, cereals, yogurt, juice, bread, pasta, and more. Check food labels to see how many nutrients you consume from these popular choices and integrate these in your supplementation.

Supplement

Vitamin D
Over 50% of U.S. adults are deficient in D-no wonder, considering that it is virtually impossible to get enough food and most of us do not spend time outdoors enough for our body to synthesize this nutrient from the light solar. Vitamin D can prevent bone fractures is well documented, and a series of new research shows it may also protect against heart disease by improving levels of immunity and fight weight gain.

Omega-3
Best known for benefits to heart health (doctors prescribe high doses of pills for treating high triglycerides / low HDL cholesterol), these unsaturated fatty acids, which most of our diets lack, you can also improve skin and protect against depression and dementia. Get those with combined DHA / EPA.

Calcium
Deficiencies are linked to osteoporosis and bone fractures, and most women are up to 33% below recommended levels. However, vitamin D is essential for proper absorption of calcium, and getting plenty of calcium without enough vitamin D can cause health problems, including an increased risk of heart attack, according to the results of a new British study Medical Journal. Your doctor can help you determine whether a calcium supplement is right for you based on your diet and other risk factors for osteoporosis.