The best time of the day to take your vitamins is generally when it is convenient for you is a good rule to start with. The producer of the vitamin will make general recommendations based on their product research. Some of us can take say a Multi-Vitamin with or without food and not have an upset stomach problem from the intense intake of condensed nutrients.
Generally though taking vitamins with a portion of food is recommended but the key is not to combine with a “full” meal. As the body is taking in nutrients from the food the vitamin supplement may not complement the nutritional value of the meal or the high nutritional value of the food may interfere with the intake of additional nutrients. Because of this some of the nutritional value of the Multi-Vitamin or supplement may be wasted. It would be like eating a ½ pound steak and drinking a protein shake in the same meal very redundant as you can see.
Your best bet to maximize the supplement is to follow the recommended advice from the Supplement company and then adjust to your schedule just remember that less can be more when combining with food.
Choosing the right vitamin can be a little challenging with the hundreds of brands and formulas available. A good place to start for a general nutritional boost is a Multi-Vitamin. We always recommend a whole food vitamin with an organic formula whenever possible for the best quality. The next step is to consider your personal life style and age to start to customize your choice.
Many of the formulas will give you a good idea by the label such as Multi + Stress Formula or 50 + Formula for older adults. Once you have narrowed your Multi-Vitamin choice closer to your personal needs you may consider adding additional supplements such as a b-12 complex for high stress situations. A protein shake is another great option for those times you can’t stop for lunch and want to avoid the fast food temptation.
Don’t be afraid to try different brands or formulas especially if you’re new to supplementing your diet with vitamins. Not everyone wears the same shoe size and not everyone’s body chemistry and needs are exactly the same so trying different formulas can get you closer to a more customized program. If you are still puzzled or overwhelmed, going on line or having a consultation with a nutritionist for more education on what vitamins best fits your needs is a great option.
Healthy weight loss can be very confusing in a media driven for profit quick fix world. Don’t be taken in by the gimmicky world of profit based fads. Healthy weight loss is really a simple formula. You need to keep and gain healthy muscle and loose the excess body fat.
All you need to do is simply make better food choices and eat in moderation along with moderate exercise on a regular schedule. It really is that simple and it is a time tested healthy way to loss those unwanted extra pounds. Well a little patience and consistency is needed also but always remember if you stick with it you will reach your goals. You gained those unwanted pounds over time not over night, and it takes time to lose it. There are some very good and safe products on the market to help with appetite control and metabolism boosts, but remember there is no “magic” pill or potions they are only as good as the effort you apply with them.
So you think you don’t have time to exercise. Think again, studies have shown that just 30 minutes a day will give amazing health benefits. Including immune boosting fat reducing heart healthy benefits. So you don’t have 30 minutes a day you say.
Well 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes in the evening, it has an accumulative effect. Next excuse? No gym required. A simple piece of home gym equipment will do just fine. How about a rebounder (trampoline) they are cost effective and are inexpensive. There are lots of great exercise options out there and with a little bit of effort to find right option for you, could add years to your life and life to your years
Well winter has arrived and it may be a great time to rethink the protein shake mode. As snow has fallen across many parts of the country somehow a nice cold smoothie protein shake has lost its appeal from that summertime refreshing blast in the morning. Not to worry we have a delicious option for you.
Since it is time to break out the hot cereal to get a warm start on the day just drop a scoop or two of your favorite protein shake powder in the bowl along with your favorite fresh or dried fruit and “bam” you have a protein packed power house breakfast to start your day. We like to add a scoop of fresh yogurt in but the choice is yours just don’t be afraid to get creative like adding some cinnamon or vanilla flavoring, Yumm!!!
Every once in a while our research on health and wellness products leads us to an unusually great product. We would like to take this opportunity to recognize a company that produces just that, great protein supplement that goes beyond just another protein shake. These guys have combined the best of both of the worlds we love, high quality whey protein along with our other favorite, Super Green Food and it’s an organic earth friendly product.
WHEY Protein Greens Plus contains 100% pure, free-range Whey Isolate from New Zealand, providing the highest biological value of any protein source. Grown in accordance with organic program standards, WHEY Protein Greens Plus is certified hormone, antibiotic, and lactose-free.
One daily serving of Natural Whey Protein Greens Plus delivers 20g of protein, the full-spectrum equivalent of two servings of fruit and vegetables, and the essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and enzymes needed for peak performance
Now that makes a power house nutrient dense Protein Shake and it taste great too.
After graduating college, my wife and I found jobs in back in our hometown. Many of our old friends were still around the area, and we got into our old habits of hanging out late into the night. Eventually that lifestyle started to catch up with me. I was still eating the unhealthy foods that had been a staple of my collegiate diet, and I hadn’t curtailed my drinking much either.
Everything changed when we started planning to have a family. I had never found adequate reasons to eat healthy before, always reasoning that I was in control of my own life and could do what I wanted. Suddenly, with kids to think about, I understood a new responsibility to live better. These days I’ve really cleaned up my act in every way imaginable and I’m looking forward to meeting my grandchildren some day.
The ultimate Multi-Tasker, a Multi-Vitamin.
Everyone hears sound bites and scientific studies surrounding a particular vitamin (nutrients) and the benefits it may have on health and longevity. It is great to understand the positive impact specific vitamins have on improving ones health because it gives us greater awareness to not only the importance of healthy eating habits, it can also give us a better understanding of what to eat to insure getting the proper daily intake of nutrients.
The information unfortunately does not always give us the greater understanding of how our bodies absorb and utilize the nutrient (vitamin). And the synergistic need to have other vitamin supplements present at the same time to have the body utilize it properly.
Synergy……A word to remember because a high quality nutrient dense Whole Food Vitamin is the answer. The best suppliers of multi-vitamins know this and there formulas take this into consideration. Some Multi-Vitamin formulas will also include herbs that support life style and age related needs. That is why a Whole Food based Multi-Vitamin should be the core nutrient supplement of choice. Multi-Vitamin “Synergy” the ultimate Multi-Tasker.
In a response to our recent post “The Omega Man” one of readers was concerned about getting omega 3 form fish derived supplements and it is a very valid concern. The concern was in respect to the pollution of heavy metals in our oceans. It is great to increase our awareness in general on how each of us can impact our environment with what we do and do not do in our daily lives that affect our food sources from the oceans.
With respect to Omega 3 supplements most but not all fish oil supplement companies purify their products to reduce or remove contaminants minimizing our exposure to mercury and dioxins . The higher quality producers will disclose this on the label, and we recommend that unless it is disclosed on the label that you choose another Omega 3 brand.
Another great choice especially for vegetarians or vegans is Flax seed oil, linseed oil, olive oil and vegetable oils. Although not as concentrated they are still a great source for omega 3. No matter which source you choose always remember that adequate daily intake of Omega 3 fatty acids is essential for good health.
You’ve probably heard tales – both true and exaggerated – detailing the finicky eating habits of pregnant women. There’s something about pregnancy that makes previously unheard of flavor combinations palatable. For instance, few people would pair and ice cream cone with a side of crunchy pickles. A pregnant woman might not even blink at such an offering.
By the same token, certain foods are much less desirable during pregnancy. It becomes difficult in some cases for women to maintain a healthy, nutritious diet. In order to supplement that diet and provide the vitamins and minerals essential to mother and baby, prenatal vitamins can make all the difference. They should be administered before, during and shortly after pregnancy.