I thought I would do a series of posts on Vitamin Supplements. I believe that unless you are consuming a healthy diet every day and at every meal, you should probably be taking supplements. Although I try to mostly eat healthy, I find that in our society it is very easy to occasionally “wander off the range”… to let’s say……your favorite and not so healthy fast food chain or restaurant and fuel up on a not so healthy meal.  Therefore, for me, I believe supplements are not only an added benefit, but also help you maintain a healthy lifestyle when every meal isn’t exactly food pyramid material .  The supplements I will highlight are those that I actually take and have researched.  In the post I will tell you why I take them and what information I have found regarding their intended benefits and possible side effects. As we have previously stated, it always best to do your own research and check with your Doctor if you are in any way unsure about any natural alternatives. Additionally, you should always check to be sure that supplements you are considering using do not react with any of your prescribed medications.

In this first post, I am highlighting what I consider my foundation supplement. By the way….as far as where I purchase my supplements….I now mostly buy all of my vitamin supplements at The Vitamin Shoppe. They have a wide selection and various name brands, but I also find their staff to be very knowledgeable and helpful. I have also purchased supplements at local Health Food stores with good results.  I think you just need to find a store where you feel confident in the quality of the product they offer and where they have a knowledgeable staff to answer your questions.

OK…The foundation supplement that I take each day is a multivitamin called ALIVE MEN’S MULTI Vitamin & Mineral (they also have a women’s blend ). It is produced by Nature’s Way, a company that has been in the supplement business since the late 1960’s. I believe if you are just starting a supplement regiment or want to take only one supplement, then a multivitamin is your best bet.  ALIVE is a Whole Food vitamin, basically meaning it is made from actual food and not from synthetically formulated chemicals manufactured in a lab. Studies have shown that supplements made from real food are more easily absorbed by the body and have tremendous nutritional properties. Additionally, the ALIVE green food ingredient group includes the superfoods Spirulina and Chlorella which are touted as potent disease fighting superfoods. It also contains Garden Veggies blends, Orchard Fruit blends, Mushroom blends, Digestive Enzyme blends, and Citrus Bioflavonoid complex. You can research the individual ingredients or do a general search on superfoods to determine the benefits for yourself. ALIVE contains many other healthy ingredients that would complement any diet.  

If you are considering a multivitamin supplement, I recommend that you choose one that is made from real whole foods.  It is also a great way to get that extra dose of healthy superfood ingredients into your diet.