24Dec/103
vitamins, minerals, and supplements..oh my!?
Hi everyone!
So I just got a job (finally) at a local health food market. I will be working in the vitamin/supplement section of the store and expected to be a go-to person for supplements. I do have a degree in nutrition so i am familiar with the basic vitamins and minerals..but not so much with herbal supplements (ginko...st jonhs wort...that kinda stuff) can anyone tell me about some supplements? just basic info on some on the market? Thanks!
December 24th, 2010 - 03:38
…Where would you like us to start? There are thousands of supplements on the market that cover an enormous variety of purposes and "interesting facts" on them. Y!A only allows so many characters in an answer, so it would be impossible to fit a complete answer in the space allotted.
That being said, if you could say what exactly are you looking for, that would help to narrow it down immeasurably. For example, are you looking for categories of them (eg. what’s good for brain health, what’s good for mood, etc) or "quick facts" on each one? I have extensive history, research, and education about herbs and supplements, so I’d be happy to answer your question… but with that broad of a question, that would be a few hour lecture type of answer. ;-)
Feel free to e-mail me with more detail and I’d be happy to reply. I hope I helped!
December 24th, 2010 - 03:38
You should make a list of the more popular ones and look them up, especially on actual medical web sites. It would be the side effects or the mixing of prescriptions with certain herbal products.
I wouldnt believe many of the weight loss claims either on these supplements. The link below is a great article about chromium, you will probably find that mineral is asked about a lot. http://factoidz.com/the-facts-about-chromium-supplements/
December 24th, 2010 - 03:38
Most health-conscious individuals do their best to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. But that’s not enough.
Problem: Few people consider the nutrients that are lost after produce is harvested. For example, green vegetables lose almost all of their vitamin C after just a few days of storage at room temperature. What’s more, cooking can deplete up to 50% of a variety of vitamins.
Solution: Many doctors now recommend vitamin and mineral supplements to compensate for dietary deficiencies and help prevent chronic disease, such as heart disease, muscular degeneration and osteoarthritis.
Everyone should take a daily multivitamin that provides all of the essential minerals and B vitamins, along with antioxidant, such as vitamins C and E.
If you have-or are at risk for-one or more of the conditions listed below, you may benefit from taking, in addition to your multivitamin, the following supplements in higher-than-normal "therapeutic" doses.*
Example:
DEMENTIA/MEMORY LOSS
Millions of Americans age 65 or older suffer from Alzheimer’s disease or age-related memory loss. Many of these older adults are deficient in B vitamins, especially B-12.
Key supplements…
* B-complex supplement provides the full complement of B vitamins, including B-1, B-2, B-3, B-6 and B-12.
Typical daily therapeutic dose: 50 to 100 milligrams (mg) of B-complex…plus 500 to 1,000 micrograms (cg) of B-12 in a separate supplement.
* Alpha-lipoic acid improves brain function by slowing or st oping the death of nerve cells.
Typical daily therapeutic dose: 600 mg.
* Vitamin E protects brain cells from damage caused by disease causing molecules known as free radicals.
Typical daily therapeutic dose: 1,200 international units (IU).**
* Ginkgo biloba improves brain circulation, reduces free-radical damage and may slow the onset of Alzheimer’s.
Typical daily therapeutic dose: 200 mg.
Warning: If you are taking a blood-thinning medication, such as warfarin (Coumadin), consult your doctor before taking vitamin E or ginkgo biloba. Both have a mild blood-thinning effect.
HEART DISEASE
The standard drug-such as nitroglycerin for treating angina and stains for lowering cholesterol-mainly manage heart disease symptoms, not the underlying cause. Stains lower levels of harmful LDL cholesterol, but they also deplete co enzyme Q10 (CoQ10) from heart cells. This naturally occurring enzyme is believed to strengthen the heart muscle.
Key supplements…
* CoQ10. All people with heart disease should ask their cardiologist about taking it. Studies have demonstrated that CoQ10 improves symptoms associated with congestive heart failure, angina and other heart disorders. In some cases, people who take the enzyme are even able to reduce their dose of heart medications.
Typical daily therapeutic dose: 50 to 300 mg. start with the lower dose and gradually increase it until you notice a reduction of symptoms. Do not stop taking CoQ10 abruptly. Doing so can cause a rebound of symptoms.
* Fish oil lowers levels of C-reactive protein, a " marker" for artery inflammation that accompanies heart disease.
Typical daily therapeutic dose: 3 to 6 grams(g).
Helpful: Enteric-coated fish oil capsules dissolve in the intestine and are less likely than other products to cause a fishy taste when you burp.
Warning: Fish oil capsules can have a blood thinning effect.
* Antioxidant supplements prevent cell damage in artery walls and reduce inflammation.
Typical daily therapeutic dose: 400 to 1,200 IU vitamin E…1 to 4 g vitamin C…and 25,000 IU natural beta-carotene.
*Niacin work as well as some stains at lowering total cholesterol-and it increase levels of beneficial HDL cholesterol.
* Carotenoids, especially beta-carotene and lutein, are used by the eye to build and repair damaged cells.
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and the leading cause of pain and disability in older Americans. Anti-inflammatory analgesics, such as ibuprofen (Advil), are effective but often cause side effects. such as gastrointestinal bleeding
Key supplements…
* Fish oil reduces levels of arachidonic acid that forms inflammatory, joint-damaging chemicals known as prostaglandins.
Typical daily therapeutic dose: 4 g vitamin C… and 400 to 1,200 IU vitamin E.
* Vitamins C and E block the effects of inflammatory free radical in the joints. They work synergistically with fish oil to enhance its effects
* Quercetin, a plant-based flavonoid, relieves pain as well as ibuprofen does.
Typical daily therapeutic dose: 2 to 4 g.