Where to Buy Vitamin Supplements

It is not so much where to buy, but which to buy. See how to read labels and the new Vitamin Criteria.

Build a Healthy Multi-Vitamin

FINDING A MULTIPLE VITAMIN SUPPLEMENT CHOICE OF BRAND AND FORMULA to match this new Vitamin Criteria and your unique situation is quite a challenge. Working on the first part:

One might imagine that finding such a formula would be a simple task. Unfortunately, nutritional science and vitamin company formulators are suffering a generation gap. There are few if any ready made formulas that "off the shelf" will satisfy this vitamin criteria. Most Vitamin Formulas are still in the dark ages of nutrition. Why do you think that is the case?

HOW THIS WILL GO DOWN 

• First, you find the best matched multiple for nutrient forms.
• Next, to match dosages, adjust the serving size, which for most multiples meeting criteria this usually is one with a serving size of between 2-6 capsules or tablets, and then that number is reduced until you are within the dosage levels for most nutrients. This is often only half the serving size number. DO NOT TAKE THE suggested serving size number unless the dosages match the criteria!!!  
• Then add separately these nutrients: 1. A vitamin E tocopherol complex with the four tocopherols, plus some tocotrienols (optional, see 2.), (i.e. d'gamma 200 mg with d'alpha >100 iu) 2. A vitamin E tocotrienol (50-100 mg) complex, 3. A vitamin C (250-500 mg) family complex with Bioflavonoids & rutin, etc., 4. A multi-mineral complex if needed. 
• Alternate days for the Tocopherol and Tocotrienol complexes with some skipped days since the multiple will have some vitamin E already as d'alpha tocopherol and fat soluble nutrients go into storage for rainy days. 
• Occasionally also take a vitamin C family. It is not needed everyday since again there is some in the multiple. In fact, a few multiples may not need extra Vitamin C. Include the amount of the C family here too. 
• Since you cut the serving size in half for most multiples, the minerals may be reduced to less than desired amounts so you might need to add one or two of either a single of two minerals to a multi-mineral with a serving size of 2-6.  Ideally, taking the mineral tabs separately is of some benefit to increase absorption percentage. As you increase nutrient amounts at one time, mineral absorption percentages plumate.
• REMEMBER: Food should provide anywhere from 50% to 80% of daily nutrients. Supplements should just fill in gaps. It is okay to vary amounts daily and okay to skip supplement days occasionally since there is some build up remaining in system for few days or more.

Now you have the best multiple formula with the complete nutrient families. This is closer to nature's plan than any existing multiple vitamin formula. This will complete the Multiple Supplement criteria. Now, of course there could be other nutrients that you may want to include, such as fish oil, tumeric, or CoQ10, providing specific actions according to your overall diet, lifestyle situations, health conditions and Doctor recommendations. These other nutrients are best taken separately and not included in the multiple vitamin. And might not be needed or recommended to take everyday. In fact, even the multiple should not be an everyday happening. Take a day or two off each week. This is a topic for another discussion.

NOTE:  As multiple vitamin Brands begin conforming, these will be pointed out as discovered. A new one getting closer is from Naturalo. It is very expensive but trending in right direction. There are ways to lower cost, other than just cutting serving size in half going from 4 to 2. There are some label errors. Some of the included items, like MK7, may present problems for some subsets. Best to use vitamin K, after 2 week build up, on a rotational basis. And it is missing vitamin E family and some family C members.

Yes, it will be difficult to find a formula that matches all aspects of the vitamin criteria. Some of the concepts, while still quite new, are available in a few Brands. Solaraytm has many multiples with natural source beta carotene complex. Finding one that fits all the recommendations is another thing. Thus, a few compromises with a few additions from separate nutrients is the way to accomplish the ideal supplement formula.

First, which criteria is the most important to match? 

1. NO IRON  (Females take iron separately if test verified low)(Get iron from Food)
2. Complete family for vitamins C and E tocopherols (take tocotrienols separately)
3. Natural Source for vitamin E, D, A (includes Beta Carotene)
4. Dosages of Minerals within range.
5. Dosages of Vitamins within range.
6. Delivery such as Rapid release if tablets (do not take delayed or prolonged release tablets)
7. MIneral ratios of Calcium and Magnesium
8. Mineral formats
9. Accessory phytonutrient ingredients
10. Base ingredients such as fillers, coatings, colors, or flavors

(This system is still under development, scores are tenetative and may vary under finished criteria)

FOUR STRIKES RULE!

If a multiple misses on 4 differetn criteria, they are eliminated. Three strikes would be better, but the current state of multiple vitamin formulas is so far off tract that it would simply not be possible to find enough available choices. Two or three misses can often be worked around. BUT, four or more are just too many compromises. Brands with no iron should be self evident. Brands with natural source for vitamins E, D & A are much harder to find. Probably will have to compromise on natural A unless only natural source beta carotene used, such as D. Salina algae. The following products fit many of the criteria considerations, but not all. They are not the only choices and there could be better ones still waiting to be reviewed. Measure others for yourself using this new vitamin criteria.

Coming soon will be a detailed manual with Brand names mentioned for the products with formulas closely matching this new vitmain criteria.

EXAMPLE OF A SAMPLE MULTIPLE FORMULA LABEL WITH PRETTY GOOD DOSAGES, but still missing some aspects like family of C and E factors in significant amounts.

Supplement Facts

Serving Size: 4 Capsules ( take only 2)

	Amount Per Serving	% Daily Value
Vitamin A (as natural beta-carotene; from D. salina with full spectrum carotenoids)	1100 mcg RAE	122%
Vitamin C (natural; from Organic Acerola Cherries)	190 mg	211%
Vitamin D3 (as plant cholecalciferol; from Wild-harvested Lichen)	25 mcg	125%
Vitamin E (from Organic Rice Bran)	22 mg	147%
Vitamin K2 (MK7)	120 mcg	100%
Thiamin	3 mg	250%
Riboflavin	3 mg	231%
Niacinamide	20 mg	125%
Vitamin B6 [pyridoxal 5-phosphate (P-5-P)]	5 mg	235%
Folate [as Quatrefolic® (6S)-5-methyltetrahydrofolate] (taking only 2 cuts this in half, fortified foods would add back the rest))	400 mcg DFE	100%
Vitamin B12 (as methylcobalamin)	6 mcg	250%
Biotin	150 mcg	500%
Pantothenic Acid	9 mg	180%
Choline (from Sunflower lecithin)	55 mg	10%
Calcium	200 mg	15%
Phosphorus (natural)	125 mg	10%
Iodine (from Organic Kelp)	150 mcg	100%
Magnesium  (more Mag that Calcium (since calcium fortified in many foods, lots in dary servings, but not Mag)	310 mg	74%
Zinc (as natural amino acid chelate)	11 mg	100%
Selenium (as yeast-free L-selenomethionine) (safer amount than 200 in most forumlas)	55 mcg	100%
Copper (as natural amino acid chelate)	0.9 mg	100%
Manganese	2.3 mg	100%
Chromium (organically bound w/GTF activity)	35 mcg	100%
Molybdenum	45 mcg	100%
Potassium (chloride)	75 mg	2%