Vitamins, herbs & nutritional

supplements.Unit 4 HW499

Matthew Graham

VitaminsFrom Food or Supplements

• Here’s what you need to know:• Fresh vegetables are always a better source of vitamins that a manufactured vitamin pill.

• 100% organically grown vegetables is always the best choice – if available.

• Here’s how to find out more about the safe use of vitamins and herbs:• Check out a respected sources as:

• WebMD

• USDA

• NewChapter.com

• Organic.org

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Nutritional SupplementsThe bottom Line – Let us consider;

“Are manufactured herbs and vitamins safe?”

If you’re evaluating manufactured herbs or vitamins to add to your diet; WebMD suggests you

consider these nine questions to ask your doctor, pharmacist, and/or registered dietitian:

• What health benefits does this supplement offer me?

• Is there any research supporting the use of this supplement?

• Do I need this supplement for my health, either to treat a medical condition or help prevent disease?

• What is the recommended dose for this supplement?

• When and for how long do I need to take this supplement?

• Which is most appropriate and effective for me -- a pill, powder, or liquid?

• Which form of the vitamin (vitamin D2 or D3, for instance) is the best?

• Does this supplement or vitamin have any known side effects?

• What are the best brands of this supplement in terms of quality, safety, and researched effectiveness?

• Does this supplement interact with any medications or foods?

• Will I need to stop taking this supplement or vitamin if I have to undergo surgery?http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/lifestyle-guide-11/how-to-evaluate-vitamins-supplements

Herbs as a Solution

• Here’s what you need to know:If you ask: “Are natural organic herbs are a better solution than a manufactured supplement?”

The general answer is: Yes. Here’s why:

Organic herb crops are, on average, more nutrient dense than conventionally grown crops – sometimes more than 20 percent for certain minerals and, on average, about 30 percent for antioxidants. (http://www.newchapter.com/difference/organic-ingredients)

• Here’s the precautions you need to know about:• Not everything that says it is organic is actually organic.

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When Organic is not truly Organic

• Here’s what you need to know:• Not herb grown that says it is organic is actually organic.

• The USDA has identifies three categories for the labeling of organic products:

100% Organic: Means it is truly organic and made with 100% organic ingredients

Organic: Does not mean that it is truly organic. It implies that the product is made with at least 95% organic ingredients

Made With Organic Ingredients: Made with a minimum of 70% organic ingredients with strict restrictions on the remaining 30% including no GMOs (genetically modified organisms)

Therefore if the supplement’s label indicates that “It’s Organic” ; you now know it may not be. I recommend that you are better off going with eating the pure 100% organically grown food source.

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Vegetables & Herbs

Natural is Always Better

• Here’s what you need to know:• Remember, we have agreed that organic crops are more nutrient dense than

conventionally grown crops.

• Here’s what I recommend:• Seek out 100% organic food sources. If it is 100% organic it will say so on the label.

• Know the source! You will see lots of signage at Farmer’s Markets indicating “Organic”, but you have to talk with the grower to determine how they define, or determine if it is indeed Organic.

• Local is always better. If it is imported from Mexico, Central America or other agricultural regions the changes are what is labeled organic isn’t truly 100% organic since some preservative has to be added so that the crop can survey shipping and storage until it reaches your market.

• If you live in an area where you have a limited source of 100% Organic crops, then a manufactured supplement may be your only alternative. Check the label to assure that the ingredients are at labeled to be “organic” rather than made from organic products.

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Additional Sources for More Information

References:

• WebMd, 2015, Evaluating Vitamins, http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/lifestyle-guide-11/how-to-evaluate-vitamins-supplements.

• New Chapter, 2015, Why organic is better, http://www.newchapter.com/difference/organic-ingredients

• USDA Organic Defined, 2015, http://www.organic.org/home/faq

• Certified Organic, 2015, http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid%3DORGANIC_CERTIFICATION