Most people would probably agree that a vitamin and mineral supplement is a good thing to take. So off they go to the drug store to pick up the least expensive pill on the shelf. But is this the best option? Do we really NEED a mineral supplement anyway? What are minerals that we should be concerned about them?
Minerals can be defined as an inorganic nutrient essential to many cell functions. Think of calcium, chromium, selenium, and phosphorus, to name a few. While minerals comprise about 6% of our total body weight, their presence and balance are important factors for one's health and wellness.
The body's daily mineral requirements are small in total amount – we are talking about IUs (International Units) and micrograms, but these minute amounts are very important to proper body function. Mineral deficiencies produce various problems such as muscle cramps and weakness, decreased metabolism, and bone damage. Minerals are not made in the body, but must be obtained through our diet. So if one is committed to consuming a healthy diet, we might expect all of our mineral requirements to be met in this manner. Plants that compose a healthy diet must obtain minerals from the soil in which they grow. It has been estimated in previous research that most micro-minerals are depleted in agricultural soils, therefore our food is likely lacking in these minerals, as well. So even with a balanced and healthy diet, ensuring that our bodies receive adequate mineral intake probably requires a mineral supplement.
So we are back to choosing a supplement. If you go to the drug store or wellness store, there are lots of capsules and pills to choose from. "There are 3 types of vitamin supplement delivery systems - capsules, liquid, and tablets. The trick is to pick one that dissolves properly and does not just "pass through" thus wasting your hard earned money. The liquid would be the best, but unfortunately there are not many choices out on the market. Plus, the can be inconvenient and they taste like cough syrup. But, they are great if you can't swallow pills and are good for kids as well. Tablets are the most common form of vitamin supplement. They are made by mixing in an organic or inorganic cement and compressing them into shape. For the pills to dissolve properly, an organic cement should be used but this costs more and as you can imagine, many manufacturers skimp on this step. There are also coated tablets that resemble little candy-coated M&M's. These are very commonly found in the one a day cheap drug store vitamins." (1) So if we choose the wrong supplement it can pass straight through our digestive system intact – this would be a literal flushing your money down the toilet as the body gets no benefit from the supplement. Other supplements are able to be broken down by the body, but are in a form that is not bio-available, meaning the body cannot absorb the nutrients at a high rate.
As stated above, "the liquid would be the best" and there is a great source of liquid mineral supplement that I have located. New Vision makes a great liquid mineral product that actually does not taste like cough-syrup. Essential Minerals puts minerals into a solution consisting of totally dissolved minerals reduced to an ionic state. These are not man-made minerals, but rather, minerals carefully extracted from naturally occurring plant vegetation, allowing for a higher level of absorption by the body. The third distinction is the inclusion of ultra-trace minerals. My dad has actually used Essential Minerals for the past 10 or more years and really likes the product. If you are looking for a combination vitamin and mineral supplement, the M2 Functional Beverage is a great option. I have used this product for the past year, and have found it much better than the various 'pill' forms of supplementation that I have consumed in the past. M2 Functional Beverage is a pre-mix of Essential Minerals and Mangosteen Plus. The additional benefits of vitamin supplementation (in Mangosteen Plus) will be the topic for another day (so stay tuned).
I have found that having a Membership through New Vision the most economical way to purchase this product. You can learn more about this at my website at http://healthythoughts.newvision.net. You can also purchase this or any of New Vision's products at the same site.
A Final Note: There are many research studies, books, and other information about this topic. I actually did my college Senior Research on this topic, but of course, can't find the paper anywhere.
- http://ezinearticles.com/?All-Vitamin-Supplements-Are-Not-Created-Equal&id=136861
