Vitamins are something we hear about all the time – but are they really all they’re cracked up to be? Do they actually do us any good? You can’t go into Whole Foods or any health store without seeing walls filled with vitamins. The airwaves are filled with a variety of companies selling vitamins that claim to treat, cure or prevent a host of ailments and increase the quality of your life. But do they work?
What Do They Do?
Vitamins are nothing new. They’ve been around since time began and you’ve probably already been consuming them but didn’t know it. Science, in its sudden greed driven anti-aging and cancer prevention quests have become increasingly aware of and interested in vitamins and their healing powers and preventative qualities.
Chinese or Eastern medicine has been prescribing vitamins and herbs for centuries. It seems like vitamins have experienced a boom in interest by the general public, possibility due to an aversion to more invasive procedures such as chemotherapy, a desire to prevent diseases such as cancer or simply to extend and increase the quality of a person’s life.
Nutritious Food Is The Best Source
The best source of vitamins isn’t a pill or capsule. It’s food. Fresh, not frozen food if at all possible. Organic produce instead of pesticide laden produce If you can afford it. The more fruits and vegetables you consume, the better off you’ll be and you’ll certainly be getting your dose of vitamins.
Meats are also good sources of vitamins, as well, provided it’s not processed, and again fresh always beast frozen.
Various juices, such as pomegranate or mangosteen juice are also good sources of vitamins. Getting your juice on may be a good thing if you’re trying to consume a fruit that isn’t in season or readily available where you live.
Can I Get What I Need From Food Alone?
Can you get all your vitamins from food? That’s a simple question with a complex answer. It depends on your goals, activity levels, your diet, family history, among other things. Consult with your doctor, nutritionist, chiropractor, or acupuncturist. You can also ask those who work at the health food store nearest you to get the information you need. And keep in mind that your vitamin intake can be affected by any medications you are on. Some vitamins don’t play well with prescription medicines and vice versa. So ask your pharmacist or doctor as well before you start taking anything.
The Best Brand Of Supplements To Buy
Supplements don’t have to be expensive too. Once you know what you’re taking and how much your taking and how often, you can go online to get the best deals or you can shop local and give your business to a local mom and pop vitamin shop if that’s of interest to you.
There are a host of brands out there, and not all are equal. Some are all about quality, some are about a quick buck and there are those that are in the middle. Do your homework on brands before you buy. It may seem silly, but you wouldn’t just buy a car or computer or HD TV without shopping around would you? It’s not the principle it’s the practice. How you do anything is how you do everything.