Nutritional Supplementation

Nutritional supplements consist of vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, or amino acids.  They are intended to supplement nutrients that are missing or are not in the diet in sufficient amounts.  In the US the Food and Drug Administration regulates supplements as a food category and not as drugs.

Americans are said to have the richest urine in the world because many people take nutritional supplements in a form the body cannot utilize, causing them to be excreted in the urine.  Despite this, many Americans improve their health by taking nutritional supplements their bodies can utilize.

• Purchase supplements only in forms that are more readily absorbed.
• Powders: rapidly absorbed, contain no fillers or binders.  Excellent form for those who have difficulty swallowing capsules or tablets.
• Liquids: useful for children and for people who cannot swallow capsules or tablets.  Absorbed rapidly, but may contain sugars, coloring agents, and additives.
• Chewables: suitable for children, but may contain sugars, coloring agents, and additives.
• Time-release tablets: nutrients released over a period of time.  Sufficient stomach acid necessary to dissolve the tablet coating and release the supplement.
• Tablets: longer shelf life, but not absorbed as rapidly as powders, liquids, or capsules.  Be cautious of binders (frequently corn starch) and fillers.
• Capsules: easier to swallow and generally contain fewer binders and fillers.  Capsules may be made from pork, beef, or vegetable gelatin.

Bioavailability varies with the brand, and the quality of the nutrient depends on the source material from which it is extracted.  Choose brands that are free of the common allergens such as milk, corn, wheat, egg, soy, sugar, and yeast.