Vol XIII May 2009 | The Village Green Apothecary E-Newsletter

How Well Do You Know Your Multivitamin?

If you’re like a lot of folks, you might take a multivitamin/mineral tablet every day. You may assume that it has enough of everything you need. Or at least, you hope it does.

A lot of multivitamin formulas come up short. Typical mass-market vitamins tend to contain fewer ingredients, lower quality nutrients, and components with low potencies. The bioavailability of these products (ability of your body to absorb and utilize the nutrients) is often questionable.

C’mon, grab your vitamin bottle now!

Let’s take a look at some items you do NOT want to see on your vitamin label.

For starters, many less expensive multivitamins provide calcium in the form of calcium carbonate, a poor choice because your body may be unable to absorb it well. Some good forms of calcium include citrate, malate, succinate and hydroxyapatite.

Likewise, if your magnesium is provided in the form of magnesium oxide, it will not be absorbed very well. High-quality formulas use magnesium glycinate, citrate, malate, or aspartate.

Similarly, some vitamins are provided in inferior or synthetic forms. Very common examples are synthetic vitamin E as dl-alpha tocopherol and vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol). Look instead for vitamin E as d-alpha tocopherol and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol).

If your multivitamin does not even list the nutrient forms in the main ingredients panel, look farther down to “Other Ingredients,” where cheaper brands often put their more detailed information. (Companies that produce higher quality supplements are proud of their nutrient forms and will list them more prominently, under the main ingredients.) The list of “Other Ingredients” may also contain a number of additional undesirable items, like fillers, binders, and artificial colorings.

If these inferior ingredients are on your label, you may not be getting the high-quality supplementation that you need.

Something else to consider is potential allergens such as dairy, gluten, soy, and wheat. If the label doesn’t clearly state that the product DOES NOT contain these substances, don’t assume it is allergen-free.

A possible warning flag: “One a day.”

Here’s another question in evaluating your multivitamin: how many tablets or capsules are required for the recommended daily dose?

While “one a day” may seem convenient, many of the best formulas cannot be taken in a single tablet or capsule. Instead, they require that you take 2 or 3 daily, at different times of the day (with food), for optimal absorption.

What the cheaper formulas are missing …

Higher quality multivitamin and mineral formulas contain many beneficial extras that standard mass-market formulas do not. A few examples include mixed natural carotenoids, bioflavonoids, quercetin, choline, and important trace minerals.

Top-notch formulas are also tested for safety and quality by independent laboratories that ensure the ingredients in the formula are as stated on the label. Some cheaper brands may not contain all that the label claims, or they may contain contaminants.

My vitamin just flunked out. Now what do I do?

If you’ve been taking a mass-market vitamin and have just discovered that you need something better, take heart: affordable, top-quality alternatives are readily available.

Our recommendation is Pathway MULTI TWO, our premier multivitamin, mineral, and cofactor supplement.

Want to learn more about Pathway MULTI TWO?

Please, take a look at our Pathway MULTI TWO Research Review, which contains complete information about this excellent formula (including the product label). If you haven’t had enough information about your multivitamin in the past, you’ll find this report refreshingly straightforward and complete.

Meet Pierre Dolet!

There’s nothing like an unexpected diagnosis to give you a wake-up call, so when Pierre Richard Dolet was diagnosed with Type II diabetes, he rose to the challenge. Pierre put his pre-med education to work, became interested in healthy living, and developed a true passion for learning about healing through alternative medicine.

“I’m always looking for new information about the glycemic index so that I can help customers with their own battles against Type II diabetes," he says. "I also know quite a bit about cholesterol.”

Pierre joined Village Green two years ago, and you’ll find his friendly face in the store most days of the week. Married with two children, Pierre is originally from Petion-ville, Haiti, although he grew up in NYC. His diverse range of interests includes stamp and coin collecting, and music. In fact, if he sounds a lot like a radio DJ, it’s because he has been one in the past, as well as a professional musician.

But now he’s happily committed to his work at Village Green.

"I originally got into the business to better my own health and in the process became interested in helping others. When a customer comes to the store feeling ill or worried about their health, it gives me great satisfaction to see them leave the store with a brighter outlook on their condition.”

Pathway Multivitamin Recommendations Pathway PRENATAL PLUS 30% off during May (120 tablets) On Sale For $12.57 (You Save $5.38) Specially formulated to meet a woman's nutritional needs during pregnancy and lactation Extra calcium, folic acid, and iron to support fetal development and maternal health DHA (from Neuromins™) and choline, important nutrients for healthy neurological functioning and brain development of the fetus Pathway CHILDREN'S LIQUID MULTI 30% off during May On Sale For $11.55 (You Save $4.95) Easy-to-swallow liquid, yummy citrus flavor! Gluten-free and vegetarian Chock-full of the important nutrients kids need to nourish their growing bodies Can be mixed into juice or other favorite beverage No artificial flavorings or colorings