Supplementation is critical for all humans today as the soil has been depleted of vital nutrients for many many years. Furthermore, to reach RDI [recommended daily intake] of vital nutrients would require grazing like a cow constantly everyday. And, the most important reason of all to supplement, is to protect against the free radical oxidative damage so as to minimize the risk of devastating disease and add quality years to life!

Every manufacturer, it seems, has a multivitamin on the shelf. And, each one contains different amounts and types of ingredients. Which one should you choose?

When shopping for supplements, there are numerous factors one needs to consider.

First, and most important, one must look at the ingredients utilized in the product. There are several choices a company has with regards to the quality of ingredients; from low grade and inexpensive to pharmaceutical grade [most bioavailable] and expensive. There are also considerations of the form of the particular ingredient. Again, one needs to look for something that will be utilized by the body [bioavailable]. For example, for Vitamin C, Ester-CŪ has been shown to be more effective and less irritating than ascorbic acid. Another example is Vitamin E, which has several components called tocopherols, and the supplement you select should contain all of them [alpha, beta, gamma and delta tocopherols]. The vitamins that should be in any supplement are the water-soluble vitamins C, B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B6 (pyridoxine), B12 (cobalamin), Folacin (folic acid, folate), Biotin and Pantothenic Acid as well as the fat-soluble ones D, E, A and K.

Another important factor to consider is the synergism that ingredients play, for without the proper nutrients and amounts, certain nutrients can become ineffective. For instance, chromium has been shown to be ineffective without magnesium and L-carnitine. Vitamin K facilitates calcium and magnesium for bone strength. Sodium, potassium and magnesium work together synergistically as do zinc, copper and manganese.

Also, just as critical, is the delivery form of the supplement; pill versus capsule. Studies indicate that igredients delivered in capsule are much more bioavailable to the body than those in pill or tablet form. Manufacturing of those is done by taking the powdered ingredients, adding binders and fillers, and then applying tons of pressure to make the pill. These forms are usually less bioavailable to the body.

Minerals are like rocks and are very difficult for the body to utilize, and the body cannot create minerals which must come from an outside source. Furthermore, the value of adequate mineral intake for overall health cannot be overstated as their effects are vast and broad; their deficiencies devastating. Again, the main problem is that 99.7% of everything consumed remain unaffected unless the three-tenths of one percent of minerals is available. There are several transport systems for minerals, however, one of the most effective according to studies is a process called double-bonded, branched-chain, amino acid chelates. These minerals are literally wrapped with an amino acid, which the body can easily recognize, thereby not only getting the mineral to where it can be absorbed, but allowing a higher probability that it will be utilized by the body. The minerals that should be in any supplement are sodium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, chloride, calcium, iron, selenium, iodine, fluoride, zinc, copper, manganese, chromium and molybdenum.

Other critical ingredients to look for in a supplement are antioxidants. Ten key antioxidants are Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, beta carotene, glutathione, anthocyanins, selenium, copper, zinc and manganese.

Other ingredients to look for in a supplement include phytonutrients such as capsaicin, coumarins, flavonoids, genistein, indoles, isothiocyanates as sulforaphane, ligans, lycopene and S-allycysteine. A good supplement should also include some herbs such as ginseng, saw palmetto [shown to be effective for good prostate health], bilberry and lutein [shown to be effective of good eye health], and CoEnzyme Q10.

Recommended daily intake levels, what were once called RDA, were designed in the 1940s and only to prevent mineral-vitamin deficiency diseases. However, we are talking about the prevention or at least minimizing the risk of the two major killers; cancer and heart disease. To attain optimal levels, a supplements' ingredients should be in the ODA (optimal daily allowance) ranges as indicated below:

NUTRIENT REQUIREMENTS
NUTRIENT	RDI	ODA
Vitamin D	10 mcg	200 - 400 IU
Vitamin E	10 mg	50 - 400 IU
Vitamin A	1000 mcg	10,000 - 35,000 IU
Vitamin K	70 mcg	n/a
Vitamin C	60 mg	250 - 2000 mg
Vitamin B1	1.5 mg	5 - 10 mg
Vitamin B2	1.7 mg	6 - 15 mg
Vitamin B3	19 mg	25 - 100 mg
Vitamin B6	2.0 mg	10 - 20 mg
Folacin	200 mcg	2000 - 4000 mcg
Vitamin B12	2 mcg	10 -100 mcg
Biotin	30 - 100 mcg	n/a
Pantothenic Acid	4 - 7 mg	10 - 50 mg
Sodium	500 mg	n/a
Potassium	2000 mg	n/a
Magnesium	350 mg	400 -700 mg
Chromium	0.05 - 0.2 mg	0.1 - 0.2 mg
Copper	1.5 - 3.0 mg	2 - 3 mg
Zinc	15 mg	15 - 35 mg
Manganese	2 - 5 mg	n/a
Calcium	1200 mg	800 - 1500 mg
Phosphorus	1200 mg	800 -1500 mg
Chloride	750 mg	n/a
Iron	10 mg	5 - 30 mg
Iodine	150 mcg	250 - 350 mcg
Fluoride	1.5 - 4.0 mg	n/a
Selenium	70 mcg	100 - 200 mcg

It is also recommended prior to starting a supplementation program to have essential nutrient and antioxidant testing levels checked. One such facility that does this is SpectraCell Laboratories.

Another facility for testing DHEA levels with an in-home test kit is Aeron Lifecycles.

To receive a complimentary analysis, for product recommendations, or inquire how to get supplements at wholesale prices CLICK HERE.