Best Multivitamin Brands

3 Secrets of Finding the Best Natural Supplement Revealed

If you really want to improve your health the easy and fast way, then finding the best multivitamin brands should be your next step. I have personally used what I consider to be the best multivitamin brands for a very long time.

I can tell you from personal experience that they work wonders on your health and happiness. You see, the human body requires the nutrients that the best multivitamin brands contain today. This is why it is so important to find a high quality product that contains a slew of different nutrients.

A few examples are vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, flavonoids, neuronutrients, carotenoids, standardized herbal extracts and specialty ingredients, such as resveratrol. So how do you find a high grade supplement? That's what this article is about so let's look at three ways you can locate them.

1. Company. Always begin by looking at the company. Do they follow strict pharmaceutical guidelines to ensure the highest quality in their multivitamin? How long have they been in business? The longer a company has existed the better the chance that they are legit.

2. Proof. You should always look for clinical trials and evidence of their products and the ingredients used in the supplements. The best websites will list their ingredients on their websites and give links to scientific research confirming the effectiveness.

3. Quality is last but definitely not least. By quality I mean that you should look for a product that uses natural ingredients and not synthetic ones. Many cheap supplements today use synthetic vitamins to save money, but that is one reason why they are so cheap. So make sure you buy the best multivitamin brands if you really want to take advantage of the new scientific breakthroughs that have been made.

By Henri K. Junttila

Essential Vitamins In Foods

Which Foods Have Essential Vitamins?

Vitamins are crucial for your overall health, and the best place to get natural vitamins is through the foods you eat. Learn which foods are the best source for vitamins:

A (retinol)

Has a positive effect on skin, overall immunity, tooth and bone growth, vision and reproductive fertility. You can find vitamin A in foods like mangoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, broccoli, pumpkin, butternut squash, tomato juice and even beef liver.

B1 (thiamine)

Your body needs B1 for improved energy metabolism as well as for nerve functioning. It's found in many foods, such as: sunflower seeds, lean pork, spinach, tomato juice, green peas and soy milk.

B3 (niacin)

B3 is good for metabolism, healthy skin, nerves and your digestive system. To improve your intake of B3, eat plenty of potatoes, chicken breast, liver, spinach, tomato juice, lean ground beef, tuna and shrimp.

B6 (pyridoxine)

This vitamin is necessary to create new red blood cells as well as amino acid and fatty acid metabolism. It's found in foods like broccoli, acorn squash, potatoes, bananas, tomato juice, watermelon, white rice and chicken white meat.

Vitamin B12

Your body uses B12 to help create new cells, metabolize fatty acids and amino acids. It also supports the maintenance of your nervous system. B12 is found mostly in animal products such as meat, fish, milk, poultry, eggs and shellfish.

Biotin

Biotin aids in the metabolism of amino acids, synthesis of fats and overall energy metabolism. Biotin is found in too many foods to list.

C (ascorbic acid)

The health benefits of vitamin C include an improved absorption of iron, amino acid metabolism and collagen synthesis. It also helps your immune system and is an antioxidant. You will get vitamin C when you eat oranges, strawberries, snow peas, tomato juice, red bell peppers, broccoli, spinach and mangoes.

Vitamin D

The main function of vitamin D is the promotion of bone mineralization. It's found in milk that has been fortified with vitamin D, egg yolks, fatty fish and beef liver. Fortified vitamin D used in processed foods is lab made synthetic substance. They have been proven to be not safe and effective.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an antioxidant, and it also supports the stabilization of cell membranes. For extra vitamin E, you should eat sunflower seeds, sweet potatoes, avocado, tofu, shrimp, wheat germ, cod fish and polyunsaturated plant oils (such as corn, canola or soybean).

Folate

Folate's main role in the body is the synthesis of DNA as well as the formation of new cells. It's found in many foods, including: green beans, spinach, asparagus, lentils, pinto beans, okra, tomato juice, broccoli and black-eyed peas.

Vitamin K

You need vitamin K to help maintain blood-clotting functions and to keep the levels of calcium in your blood stable. Foods like spinach, broccoli, cabbage, liver and other leafy green vegetables all contain vitamin K.

Pantothenic Acid

This final vitamin compound is directly involved with overall energy metabolism and is found widely in too many foods to list out.

A Note on Food Safety

Because of harmful and questionable practices of conventional farming and food processing methods, locally, naturally and organically grown foods should be consumed whenever possible.

Fish, especially tuna has mercury and other industrial waste contamination. Deep-water fish like wild Alaskan salmons are much safer to consume.

By Ray Chowdhury

B Vitamins

What is Vitamin B?

Eight different vitamins make up a vitamin B complex. Each separate B vitamin has a different function. That is why one can buy individual B vitamins or all of them together in a complex.

There are two kinds of vitamins in general fat soluble and water soluble.

Fat soluble vitamins A, D, E & K are absorbed through the intestines with the help of lipids (good fats). They are then stored in the liver and fat and are slower to leave your body than water soluble vitamins. That is why, when taking supplements like A, D, E & K, you need to make sure you don't take too much. (Also taking things like copper can be easily overdone; so one should probably do some research before taking various supplements)

Water soluble vitamins, such as B or C, dissolve easily in water. Sorry here, but that is why urine is much more potent and changes colors when one is taking a vitamin such a B complex. These vitamins leave the body rapidly and therefore need to be replaced often by either diet or supplements. One reason supplements have become so popular and important is that even when we try to eat healthy our food is not always as fresh as we would like to believe, it takes a long time to get to us and then sits on a shelf waiting to go to our home, meanwhile losing many nutrients. Also when we cook food it tends lose a lot of nutrition. Foods high in vitamin B are numerous. Vitamin B is found in meat, animal byproducts, grains and vegetables. The confusing part is that there are so many different B's it take allot of research to figure out which B vitamins are coming from which foods but if you are really determined you can figure it out.

Vitamin B has many benefits. My personal favorites are increased energy and metabolism. Vitamin B also helps to lower stress and ease PMS, a benefit my family greatly appreciates. It has always amazed me that vitamin B seems to be recommended more often than anything else when researching an ailment. Vitamin B has been shown to be beneficial in aiding the effects of depression, carpal tunnel syndrome, heart disease, strokes, fibrocystic breast, ringing in the ears, fatigue, and much more.

Vitamin B supplements come in a variety of potentcies and combinations. Vitamin B complex 50 is probably the most well rounded and basic. Most of the time (depending on the manufacture) it contains a combination of the b vitamins at a dosage appropriate for most people. Vitamin B 100 is normally the same combination as B complex 50 just made at a higher dosage for people with a more severe B deficiency. Vitamin B absorption can be hindered by factors such as drinking and smoking. The majority of people are deficient in B vitamins. B vitamins are water soluble and if you get to much one will probably flush out the excess with no problem. That being said one could get to much B vitamin and that can result in nasty side effects. A link to a great resource for Vitamin B complex side effect is located in my reference box. It is rare but there is such a thing as vitamin B overdose.

I feel the need to point out that my knowledge of supplements is a passion not a profession. I have studied this subject a great deal and will always personally attest to benefits of supplements.

By Sierra Miller

Getting a Multivitamin

Getting a Multivitamin That's Worth Taking

A good nutritional supplement program builds its foundation on a multivitamin/mineral. But not just the first one you lay your hands on. I recommend TwinLab Daily One Without Iron. Why? That 's what I'm here to discuss.

I pretty much don't know how to be casual about my recommendations, so, after 30+ years spent studying the vitamins and minerals we all need, I spent days doing computer research on multi ingredients, then more days going to health food stores to read labels and talk to people. I had ingredient labels floating through my dreams.

To arrive at my recommendation, I matched what we need against what each multi offered.

I have no connection with the TwinLab company. I receive no compensation of any sort from them. I based my choice strictly on the merits.

So, what are the merits?

TwinLab enjoys a good reputation as a quality provider of nutritional supplements. I like that.

This multi offers significant amounts of minerals. Many multis come up short in minerals, which I don't understand. Studies show we all need more minerals. People dealing with fatigue and endocrine problems REALLY need more minerals. I want a multi that packs a punch.

The minerals are balanced, too. You can't take minerals willy-nilly. For instance, zinc and copper have to hit a proper ratio to be a blessing and not a problem. And different forms of the minerals are preferable to others; this multi has good minerals. (More on that later.)

And my recommended multi has a simple formulation, another plus. It covers the basics well, with no frills. I like that. Today's multis make me tense with their large array of herbs. We have very little solid research on individual herbs and NO research on combinations of herbs. Bunches of herbs create an unnecessary risk.

I'm not opposed to herbs. I take a few herbs, and I'm researching more, but throwing them in by the handful is nuts.

Simple, straightforward supplements acknowledge our uniqueness. We're all different, our needs are different and we react differently to everything we take in. By keeping things simple, we can spot and fix problems pretty quickly.

I also like the idea of one pill getting the job done. Taking pills doesn't make anybody's top ten list of things to do, so having to take only one increases the chances it'll happen. And one-pill adds flexibility. With a known problem of absorbing nutrients, I take two a day. And I'd build, say, a cancer patient up to three a day, for a while, to maximize the cancer-fighting components. So, you can ramp up without reaching overwhelming numbers. And the minerals stay in their proper ratios.

Never take a multi with iron. Long story. Just don't do it. This multi has molybdenum, which does a lot of what iron does-plus adds a few benefits of its own-but without the risk.

As I said, this is the best multi I could find. But I can't declare perfection.

I wish it had a different form of chromium. However, it does have a goodly amount of chromium, which significantly compensates.

I wish it included boron. Among its several talents, boron helps us absorb the minerals we get.

Finally, I wish it didn't include soy lecithin. Soy gets me crazed. But my research says lecithin doesn't wreak the havoc of most soy. Plus, it shows up near the bottom of the ingredient list, so there's not much. Also, it's in all the other multis of value, too. Sigh.

To sum up then, no other multi matches my positives, but all the other multis offer a bunch of negatives. Add the fact that TwinLab Daily One Without Iron is reasonably priced and widely available and you have it.

If I ever find something even better, I'll let you know.

By Bette Dowdell

Liquid Multi Vitamins and Minerals

Nutritional Supplements

Among the hoards of nutritional supplements, it is certainly not easy to choose without any help from expert. Rather it is said to be a good practice to seek expertise while doing such job so that you do not go wrong and select the right supplement suitable for you. As the life expectancy is increased these days, everyone wants to have a life filled with energy and joy. But our changed lifestyle and stress ma not allow us to have the optimal life we desire. This is when nutritional supplements come into consideration.

But one thing is sure. Hasty selection of nutritional supplement will always land you in trouble. Proper assessment of the ingredients of the supplements and checking the legitimacy of the supplier are necessary before proceeding further. Moreover, experts suggest that you should always opt for natural and herbal nutritional supplements and not synthetic ones. This will help you curb your chances of developing nasty side effects. After all, you want good health not attached with side effects! Broad spectrum vitamin and mineral supplement is better over the narrow spectrum because the broad spectrum ensures that concentration of vitamins, minerals, as well as trace elements are maintained in the formulation so that they can be absorbed in desired concentration upon consumption.

The natural supplement must possess vitamins A, C, D, E, K, and B-complex vitamins like riboflavin, pyridoxine, thiamine, pantothenic acid, folic acid, and cyanocobalamin. Biotin should also be looked for in this supplement. The powerful fruit extracts are an additional plus in these health or nutritional supplements. The fruits like amalaki, pomegranate, wolfberries, lyceum, acai, mangosteen etc are potent anti-oxidant boosters in the system. Also they are rich sources of calcium, iron, and other trace elements.

You should also look for herbal supplements in these products. Glucoronalactone, L-carnitine, Eleuthro, Schizandra, Aloe Vera etc are some of the ingredients one should bear in mind while selecting from the ready-to-use supplements. The supplements should naturally energize your body and not destabilize the existing flow. They should also boost the metabolism in positive way so that fat stores are mobilized and weight reduction ensues.

No doubt these nutritional supplements act as the wonderful anti-aging formula too. The ingredients like Aloe Vera are examples of defying age by beatifying the skin and stimulating the anti-oxidants to fight against free radicals. Also the ingredients like lycopene, lutein, quercetin, turmeric, alpha lepoic acid etc should be present in these supplements that help one fight against the aging attributes.

One must also remember that for action of all vitamins and minerals properly, the formula should be just perfect. Mere synergistic mixture many times causes harm rather than doing any good. For example, some nutrients or vitamins act well if certain other nutrient is present. The B complex group of vitamins is utilized by the body properly if the ingredient list comprises of Choline bitartrate. So, such minute details must be studied beforehand so that you grab the best possible natural nutritional supplement for yourself!

By Koua Her

Water-Soluble Vitamins

Water-Soluble Vitamins Your Body Needs

This article will discuss some of the main water-soluble vitamins you need to maintain good health and keep your body fully energized. Some of the foods that you can eat to help you get these vitamins naturally will also be discussed. There are a total of 8 B vitamins and Vitamin C that are water-soluble.

Thiamin B1 is needed to help convert carbs into energy. It will also assist your body in keeping your brain, nerve and heart healthy and running smooth. If you don't get enough, it can cause depression, cramps, and severe nerve damage. You can get plenty of B1 by eating red meat, soy, oatmeal and other grains.

Riboflavin B2 also provides a means to generate energy and is required for good vision and healthy skin, as well as assisting your body in the production of red blood cells. If you don't get enough B2 you can become sensitive to light, and skin becomes dry and scaly. You can get your B2 from high protein foods like milk, eggs, yogurt, meat and green leafy vegetables.

Niacin B3 also helps with healthy skin, nerves and certain digestive functions. Large doses can cause liver damage, deficiencies can cause death if it is extreme. You will get plenty of B3 from meat, eggs, cereals and peanut butter.

Pyridoxine B6 is important for chemical reactions in your cells and assists in red blood cell production and brain functions. Deficiencies of B6 can cause dementia, anemia and convulsions. You can get plenty of natural B6 by eating meats, fish, whole grains and bananas.

Cobalamin B12 can help with red blood cell production and keeping your nervous system running smooth. Strict vegetarians can run the risk of not getting enough B12 because it is mainly found in foods related to animals. You should be able to get enough by eating meat and milk products.

Folic acid is mainly found in leafy vegetables, and it is known to help prevent birth defects. It is needed to make DNA. It is also known to help prevent certain cancers. Collard greens, spinach and asparagus are foods high in folic acid.

Vitamin C is perhaps the best known water-soluble vitamin. It serves to keep bones and teeth healthy and can boost your immune system. It also helps you absorb iron. Fruits, berries, and even peppers contain good doses of vitamin C.

No that you know what foods to eat to get your vitamins, you can pay more attention and take a supplement if you are not getting enough of certain ones.

By Steve Morse

The Best Vitamin K Rich Foods -

Astonishingly Simple Sources of Vitamin K You Have to Know About

Finding the best vitamin k rich foods is essential if you want to avoid a vitamin K deficiency, which might not be problematic now, but can turn into something bad down the road.

Vitamin K rich foods help your blood to clot as it should, protects against osteoporosis and helps your body transport calcium.

Deficiency Symptoms

Common deficiency symptoms are:

• Gum bleeding
• Hemorrhaging
• Easily bruised
• Osteoporosis
• Osteopenia
• Fractures
• Liver Cancer

As you can see, there is a lot of bleeding that happens if you are deficient. It can also cause some birth defects if you're expecting a child, so make sure you have adequate amounts of it.

Best Vitamin K Rich Foods

A lot of the best vitamin K rich foods are vegetables, which a lot of people don't get enough of. A good way to make sure you're getting enough nutrients to your body can be to eat more vegetables, or even take a high quality multivitamin supplement.

With all that said, here are some of the best vitamin K rich foods:

• Parsley
• Kale
• Spinach
• Collard greens
• Mustard greens
• Brussel sprouts
• Broccoli
• Romaine lettuce

The Different Forms

There are three different forms: vitamin K1, K2 and K3. K1 (phylloquinone) is the plant form, which you can find in the vegetables that I listed above.

K2 (menaquinone) is the one that has shown the best health benefits for humans. It is also very expensive when used in multivitamin supplements, but it is the best if you want to improve your health. K2 is produced from K1 by the bacteria that can be found in animal and human intestines.

K3 (menadione) is a synthetic form that has been used in the treatment of cancer, but it is not allowed in multivitamin supplements because it can have dangerous side-effects.

The Best Way to Get Vitamin K

The best way is to eat both vitamin K rich foods and use a multivitamin that contains vitamin K2, because it is very powerful in keeping you healthy and well.

Finding a multivitamin that not only contains K2, but other nutrients that synergistically enhance the health benefits of the whole supplement is one of the best ways to go.

By Henri K. Junttila