Multivitamin-Mineral Best Supplements

MULTIVITAMIN-MINERAL BEST SUPPLEMENTS

Written by Slawomir Gromadzki

Attempting to find the best solution to the very common today nutritional deficiencies there are individuals who maintain that we don’t need vitamins, minerals or antioxidants in the form of supplements because we can get them from food we consume every day.

The problem, however, is that due to various reports pointing to a dangerous soil depletion, the nutritional content in both plant and animal foods is much lower today than it was before we started abusing the soil in many different ways including the heavy use of artificial fertilisers. Plant & animal foods are much lower in nutrients due to the severe soil depletion, fast plant food growth (less time to accumulate nutrients), & other factors.

Do We Need Vitamin & Mineral Supplements?

In addition, great majority of people living in developed countries are deficient in vitamins and minerals because of stressful lifestyle, use of stimulants, insufficient exposures to sunlight, toxins, and especially because of unhealthy dietary habits such as over consumption of sugar, white flour products and other refined and deprived of nutrients foods.

KEY CAUSES OF NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCIES

Soil depletion
Fast crop growth
High sugar intake
Refined diet
Psychological stress
Use of stimulants
Medication

SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, 2018: “If current rates of degradation continue all of the world’s top soil could be gone within 60 years, a senior UN official said!”

In the Old Testament, the One who claims to be the Creator of this world, gave a special instruction telling us to allow the land to rest from active agricultural production every seventh year. It resembled the weekly Sabbath commandment and was called the Land Sabbath: “For six years you are to sow your fields and harvest the crops, but during the seventh year let the land lie unploughed and unused” (Exodus 23:10-11). The law was to benefit poor people and allow the land to rejuvenate itself and regain its mineral content. It also gave the farmer an opportunity to devote more time to repairs, travel, education, future planning, etc. Unfortunately, today farmers don’t even know about this vital principle. As a result the land is greatly abused and almost completely deprived of its mineral content. This problem can be solved not by organic farming but only biodynamic farming and allowing soil to rest according to the wise Biblical principle.

According to the research by the Worldwatch Institute an orange from 1950s was packed with Vitamin A & C. Today, to provide the same amount of these nutrients we would have to consume 20 oranges! Just one tomato from 1940s was very high in Copper. Today we would have to eat 10 tomatoes to obtain the same intake of this mineral!

Others suggest that vitamins and minerals in the form of supplements do not work or can be even harmful.

Well, although it is true that there are different chemical forms of the same type of a vitamin or mineral that may influence the quality, bioavailability and effectiveness yet there are thousands of scientific studies which clearly and repeatedly demonstrated that also vitamins, minerals and antioxidants in the form of supplements can be very beneficial and effective in improving our health. And whenever the evidence is required I always suggest to go, for instance, to the popular www.greenmedinfo.com website and type “vitamin C”, “magnesium”, “vitamin D”, “zinc”, “vitamin B12”, “selenium” or another vitamin or mineral in the search window to see the results and discover how convincing and overwhelming is the scientific evidence proving great benefits of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants also in the form of supplements!

Therefore, taking into consideration all the above mentioned facts the only way we can attempt to solve the overwhelming problem of dangerous nutritional deficiencies that greatly increase the risk of developing numerous health conditions is by a regular intake of vitamins, minerals, micro-elements and antioxidants in the form of supplements.

However, since as far as content and quality is concerned there are huge differences between available on the market multivitamin-mineral formulas it is very important to spend some time on reading labels and comparing the ingredients in order to make a wise and the best possible choice.

THE BEST MULTIVITAMIN & MINERAL SUPPLEMENT

Daily Essentials Multi Vitamin & Mineral by Phoenix Nutrition >

I was looking for the best possible quality multivitamin with better forms of vitamins and minerals, high in D3, magnesium, and K2 MK7, and finally found one. Since then, I try to recommend it to others (I don’t have any profit from it). Here is what one of those persons wrote to me today after giving it a try: “Regarding the multivitamins from Phoenix Nutrition, I bought them and have been using for a couple of weeks. The benefits have almost been instant. My energy levels are high and it’s working well. I recommended to a fried and he was asking if children can also use…”

Daily Essentials is a Multi Vitamin and Mineral formula containing effective, therapeutic dosage of active ingredients. Unlike most multi vitamins which contain trace amounts of poorly absorbed ingredients, Daily Essentials uses only chelated minerals and coenzyme vitamins for maximum absorption and bioavailability. Using the coenzyme forms of vitamins B2, B6, B12 and folate, namely Riboflavin 5’phosphate, Pyridoxal 5’phosphate, Methylcobalamin and L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate (Methylfolate). The later, methylfolate, is superior to cheap, synthetic folic acid which many people have a genetic inability to convert into the active form.

Please look at the image below and see the ingredient comparison between Daily Essentials and Centrum Advance (>), which is regarded as the most popular multivitamin on the market and most often recommended by physicians (as it is made by Pfizer).

Look at the forms of vitamins, strength of B vitamins and especially D3, presence of extremely important Vitamin K2 MK7 (without K2 vitamin D leads to dangerous calcification, K1 in Centrum is unable to do it), or presence of equally vital Magnesium in the form of glycinate which is one of the best forms of magnesium (poorly absorbed and cheap magnesium oxide is included in centrum). Vitamin B6 in Daily Essentials is in the form of much better P5P. Instead of the controversial folic acid (found in Centrum) Daily Essentials includes perfectly safe and well-absorbed Methylfolate. It also contains high dose of 500mcg of Methylcobalamin – the best form of B12. Although Methylcobalamin works best when it is put under the tongue, yet even taken orally it is still much more effective than useless tiny amount of 2,4 mcg cyanocobalamin B12 in Centrum.

ADDITIVES

In addition, Daily Essentials is in the form of a vegetable capsule, suitable for vegetarians, free from excipients (additives): Other Ingredients: Vegetarian Capsule.

Centrum, on the other hand, contains dangerous Calcium (leads to calcification of arteries, pineal gland, kidneys, joints, etc.) & generating free radicals Iron (if you need Iron, get it from super foods >), numerous additives and gelatine (made from animal bones):

Centrum Advance Ingredients (Additives bold): calcium salts of orthophosphoric acid (Dicalcium Phosphate); magnesium Oxide; Bulking Agents: E 460, E 464, E 1200; L-ascorbic acid; Potassium chloride; Stabiliser: E1202; DL-Alpha Tocopherol Acetate; Nicotinamide; Ferrous Fumarate; calcium D-pantothenate; Manganese Sulphate; zinc Oxide; Emulsifier: E 470B; anticaking agents: E 551, E 553B; gelatine; Pyridoxine Hydrochloride; thiamine mononitrate; Riboflavin; beta-carotene; Cupric Sulphate; vegetable oil (coconut & palm Kernel); retinal acetate; pteroylmonoglutamic acid; chromium (III) Chloride; Sodium Molybdate; potassium Iodide; sodium selenite; d-biotin; antioxidant: E 321; phyllo Quinone (vitamin K1); cholecalciferol; Cyanocobalamin; colours: E 171, E 132.

VALUE FOR MONEY

As far as value for money is concerned, Daily Essentials is very inexpensive (£9 for 180 vegetarian capsules – 2 a day, though can be taken 1 a day by people on a healthy diet), while for Centrum Advance, which I personally would never dare to use due to low quality, you need to pay about £5 for 30 tablets or £10 for a 100 tablets.

Therefore, taking into consideration the price, bioavailability, quality and concentration of nutrients, the Daily Essentials seems to be 10-20 times superior to Centrum Advance. Even though Daily Essentials is a 2 a day formula the concentration of nutrients and bioavailability is much higher than that of Centrum which is a one a day multivitamin.

You can take 1 capsule a day of Daily Essentials if your diet is very healthy.

Although it doesn’t say anything about children, yet it is much better for them than any multivitamin recommended for kids, simply because they mostly contain cheap very poor quality ingredients. For children over 12 I would suggest 1-2 capsules a day, over 5: one a day, 3-5: half capsule a day, etc.

HEALTHY MEGA

One of the best multivitamin-mineral formulas currently available on the market is also Healthy Mega (HealthAid). It is a unique formula containing 14 high strength vitamins and 12 minerals fortified with 7 trace elements (micronutrients), 3 bioflavonoids, antioxidants, herbs, super grasses, and digestive enzymes in a synergistically balanced, prolonged release one-a-day formulation to ensure optimal nutritional needs are met.

Healthy Mega also deserves to be regarded as one of the best products in its category because the content of its most important vitamins is much higher that that of the other popular supplements. For instance, among many ingredients found in Healthy Mega there are some crucial for our brains, nervous system and energy production B Vitamins that are up to 60 times higher than in the same vitamins found in the very popular Centrum Advance and almost all other commonly used supplements available on the market!

The only ingredient that may appear to be of lower strength is Vitamin A. However, there is a very good reason for that as Vitamin A is so abundant in many different popular foods that it is not difficult to overdose it and induce toxicity if a rich in this vitamin diet is combined with supplements which are often too high in the same vitamin.

However, what makes even more profound difference between Healthy Mega and most of the other popular multivitamin-mineral formulas is that Healthy Mega is not only prolonged release or much higher in vitamins but also because it contains various additional widely recognised health-promoting ingredients such as Alfalfa, Kelp, PABA, Golden Seal, Horsetail, Bromelain, Papain, Bioflavonoids, Hesperidin, Rutin, or Betaine Hydrochloride.

Good quality multivitamin-mineral formulas can be recommended especially for those who have to cope with daily stressful situations, have weak immune system, feel tired, experience problems with concentration, skip meals, are deficient in nutrients due to poor dietary habits, or those who are on different weight loss programmes.

However, due the reports pointing to dangerous soil depletion which leads to the lower mineral content in foods consumed today a good quality multivitamin-mineral formula can be very beneficial even for those who avoid refined or high in sugar products to insure they provide their body with sufficient amount of nutrients.

SHORT CHARACTERISTIC OF CHOSEN INGREDIENTS

B Vitamins are crucial for our brain and nervous system (they may reduce brain shrinkage by up to 90 Percent!) and help the body to convert food into energy thus improving metabolism and helping us to cope with fatigue.

Vitamin C, Selenium and other antioxidants protect our cells against damage caused by heavy metals and free radicals.

Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a key role in supporting cardiovascular health, and maintaining healthy muscle contraction and relaxation, preventing muscle cramps and spasms. It is important in the maintenance of healthy nerves, immune system, bones and teeth. Magnesium also helps provide support to women during their menstrual cycles and those undergoing premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Zinc is essential for healthy immune system and is involved in the production of brain chemicals that improve mood, mental clarity and physical performance.

Natural Digestive Enzymes (Bromelain and Papain) help extraction of vital nutrients and breakdown proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.

Alfalfa is one of the richest natural sources of nutrients and supports healthy blood sugar balance.

Golden Seal Root is famous for its antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties.

Horse Tail Herb acts as a diuretic, helps prevent kidney infections and is one of the highest sources of natural silica which promotes healthy bones, skin, hair, nails and teeth.

Guar Gum and Apple Pectin promote intestinal movement and aid in reducing body weight and cholesterol levels.

Citrus Bioflavonoids, Hesperidin Complex and Rutin may help reduce permeability of capillaries and improve the elasticity and strength of blood vessels.

Kelp is one of the highest natural sources of iodine which contributes to normal thyroid function and the production of its hormones.

Glutamic acid is a neurotransmitter and amino acid important for the synthesis of proteins. It contributes to the health of the immune and digestive systems, as well as energy production. Glutamic acid is also important in the synthesis of Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and is required for the synthesis of glutathione, believed to be the most effective antioxidants and free radical scavenger in our body which protects cells and boosts the immune system.

Betaine Hydrochloride (HCL) helps to eliminate problems caused by the insufficient stomach acid (hydrochloric acid) production, regarded as a common problem today, which leads to poor digestion of food and reduced assimilation of nutrients such as vitamin B12.

PABA (Para-Amino Benzoic Acid) is an amino acid and antioxidant that has shown to play role in promoting hair, nail, skin and digestive health.

HEALING RECIPES >

REFERENCES

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Gray, A. and Flatt, P. (1997) ‘Pancreatic and extra-pancreatic effects of the traditional anti-diabetic plant, Medicago sativa (lucerne)’, The British journal of nutrition., 78(2), pp. 325–34.

Cech, N., Junio, H., Ackermann, L., Kavanaugh, J. and Horswill, A. (2012) ‘Quorum quenching and antimicrobial activity of goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) against methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)’, Planta medica., 78(14), pp. 1556–61.

Cecil, C.E., Davis, J.M., Cech, N.B. and Laster, S.M. (2017) ‘Inhibition of H1N1 influenza A virus growth and induction of inflammatory mediators by the isoquinoline alkaloid berberine and extracts of goldenseal ()’, International Immunopharmacology, 11(11), pp. 1706–1714. doi: 10.1016/j.intimp.2011.06.002.

Carneiro, D., Freire, R., Honório, T., Zoghaib, I., Cardoso, F., Tresvenzol, L., Paula, de, Sousa, A., Jardim, P. and Cunha, da (2014) ‘Randomized, double-blind clinical trial to assess the acute diuretic effect of Equisetum arvense (field Horsetail) in healthy volunteers’, Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM., 2014.

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Yamanaka, S., Sato, K., Ito, F., Komatsubara, S., Ohata, H. and Yoshino, K. (2012) ‘Roles of silica and lignin in horsetail (Equisetum hyemale), with special reference to mechanical properties’, Journal of Applied Physics, 111(4), p. 044703. doi: 10.1063/1.3688253.

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Any information or product suggested on this website is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition. Never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. Consult your primary healthcare physician before using any supplements or making any changes to your regime.