Choosing a multi vitamin - TOUGH CHOICES

I get these questions constantly! Here's an article from Health Sciences Institute.

"I am thoroughly confused by all the different advice about recommended dosages of vitamins and supplements. Looks to me as everyone out there is pushing his own agenda (plus what sells)! So many experts, so many opinions! Where does one go to get really informed and impartial advice on diet, vitamins and supplements?" P.J.'s question is articulately addressed by an HSI member named Lance who writes: "P.J., you don't sound thoroughly confused to me. You recognize that 'many' do push their own product/agenda. That, in itself, is a good start. You asked: 'Where does one go to get really informed and impartial advice on diet, vitamins and supplements?' Once again, you are off to a good start! Many HSI forum members are impartial and well informed. "Now, let me offer some advice/suggestions/recommendations: 1. When you seek advice on vitamins, dosages (or, anything else), be as 'specific' as possible. If you ask a broad and general question, expect broad and general replies. 2. Keep in mind that people are 'unique.' Each and every individual is different. What works for one, may not work for another. You must seek what 'works for you.' 3. Understand that supplements are not that much different than 'prescription drugs.' Some will have significant side effects, some can cause serious harm, some will help with one condition or body function, while harming another. I'm continually amazed by the number of people that think 'natural' and 'harmless' are synonymous. Many poisons are natural, as are many prescription medications. 4. Another thing you should understand is that almost all supplements come in many different forms. When I see conflicting data on a vitamin, such as 'E,' I try to determine which specific form (of many) was used in the study. Was it natural or synthetic, was it mixed tocopherols, etc." These are some good ideas. Here's a few things I've learned: they are right that many people have their own agenda. Many of them are selling products because they've had a great experience with them on their own. The problem here is that the majority of us are in such poor physical shape that almost ANY natural product is going to make a terrific difference! It's when they put down every OTHER company that the red flags should start waving. Or when they are gung-ho to try to recruit you into a company, whether you are interested in a business or not. Things get a bit hairy here.

Everyone is different. We all have different bodies, histories, needs, and reactions. So it's important to account for these things. I have never, EVER, been with just one company, or recommended only one company's products. NOBODY, no matter HOW GOOD their products are, can have ONE PRODUCT FOR ALL PEOPLE.

So make sure that you choose someone who will choose impartially from a number of excellent products. Many of you know I'm doing some astonishing things with Ayurvedic remedies - some of these have been used successfully for over FIVE THOUSAND YEARS. I like the concept because isolated vitamins (Vitamin A, B, C, D, E, etc.) are just that ISOLATED from how they are grown in nature - and I believe getting the WHOLE PLANT results in a better absorbed and more effective product.

Just wanted to pass this on for everyone.

Linda

Dear Linda,

What you wrote here is quite right. I am doctor & deal totally in

this field. Nutrition consumed directly in the form of plant

products are enough effective even in degenerative health problems

also while artificially produced company products are quite

harmful even & 80% ineffective. People generally go for the

products which get fame through media & not for what they actually

need. Each & every part that you wrote is correct.

regards

Dr. Shuchi Virmani

On Sun, 09 Mar 2003 Linda Yates wrote :

>I get these questions constantly! Here's an article from Health

>Sciences Institute.

>

> " I am thoroughly confused by all the different advice about

>recommended dosages of vitamins and supplements. Looks to me

>as everyone out there is pushing his own agenda (plus what

>sells)! So many experts, so many opinions! Where does one go

>to get really informed and impartial advice on diet,

>vitamins and supplements? "

>

>P.J.'s question is articulately addressed by an HSI member

>named Lance who writes: " P.J., you don't sound thoroughly

>confused to me. You recognize that 'many' do push their own

>product/agenda. That, in itself, is a good start. You

>asked: 'Where does one go to get really informed and

>impartial advice on diet, vitamins and supplements?' Once

>again, you are off to a good start! Many HSI forum members

>are impartial and well informed.

>

> " Now, let me offer some advice/suggestions/recommendations:

>

>1. When you seek advice on vitamins, dosages (or, anything

> else), be as 'specific' as possible. If you ask a broad

> and general question, expect broad and general replies.

>2. Keep in mind that people are 'unique.' Each and every

> individual is different. What works for one, may not work

> for another. You must seek what 'works for you.'

>3. Understand that supplements are not that much different

> than 'prescription drugs.' Some will have significant

> side effects, some can cause serious harm, some will help

> with one condition or body function, while harming

> another. I'm continually amazed by the number of people

> that think 'natural' and 'harmless' are synonymous. Many

> poisons are natural, as are many prescription

> medications.

>4. Another thing you should understand is that almost all

> supplements come in many different forms. When I see

> conflicting data on a vitamin, such as 'E,' I try to

> determine which specific form (of many) was used in the

> study. Was it natural or synthetic, was it mixed

> tocopherols, etc. "

>

>These are some good ideas. Here's a few things I've learned:

>they are right that many people have their own agenda. Many of

>them are selling products because they've had a great experience

>with them on their own. The problem here is that the majority of

>us are in such poor physical shape that almost ANY natural

>product is going to make a terrific difference! It's when they

>put down every OTHER company that the red flags should start

>waving. Or when they are gung-ho to try to recruit you into a

>company, whether you are interested in a business or not. Things

>get a bit hairy here.

>

>Everyone is different. We all have different bodies, histories,

>needs, and reactions. So it's important to account for these

>things. I have never, EVER, been with just one company, or

>recommended only one company's products. NOBODY, no matter HOW

>GOOD their products are, can have ONE PRODUCT FOR ALL PEOPLE.

>

>So make sure that you choose someone who will choose impartially

> from a number of excellent products. Many of you know I'm doing

>some astonishing things with Ayurvedic remedies - some of these

>have been used successfully for over FIVE THOUSAND YEARS. I like

>the concept because isolated vitamins (Vitamin A, B, C, D, E,

>etc.) are just that ISOLATED from how they are grown in nature -

>and I believe getting the WHOLE PLANT results in a better

>absorbed and more effective product.

>

>Just wanted to pass this on for everyone.

>

>Linda

________

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