Deceptive Labeling
When buying any product, especially vitamins, it’s crucial to read and understand the label thoroughly. Unfortunately, some supplements may not even contain what their labels claim. The manufacturing standards for vitamins and minerals can vary significantly between companies. Many brands don’t actually make their own products; they simply repackage another company’s formula and sell it under their own name. The quality of a supplement determines how well it’s absorbed and utilized by the body.
Understanding Mineral Potency
When you see the term “elemental amount” on a supplement label, it refers to the actual weight or strength of the mineral provided. For example, a label might indicate that a calcium supplement contains 250 mg of elemental calcium. This clear labeling makes it easy to understand what you’re getting. However, when calcium is combined with other compounds, like amino acids in chelated forms, and the label doesn’t specify the exact amount of elemental calcium, it becomes harder to know how much calcium you’re really getting.
Consumers might think that the vitamins they buy have 100% of their listed potency right from the start. The truth is, only 90% of the stated potency needs to be present at the time of shipping. Vitamins begin to lose their potency as soon as they’re produced. If they’re not made under optimal conditions, they could be as much as 50% less potent by the time you buy them. There are minimal government regulations on how products should be stored or handled, and these factors, such as exposure to light, temperature, moisture, and how inventory is managed, all impact the quality and potency of vitamins.
Despite vitamins being perishable, manufacturers aren’t required to prove that their products maintain their potency over time. Factors like light, heat, moisture, and oxidation can quickly degrade vitamins. After production, there are no mandatory tests to check how long a vitamin’s potency will last on the shelf.
Natural vs. Synthetic
The term “natural” on labels can be deceptive. For instance, in the case of vitamin E, a product can be labeled as “natural vitamin E” even if it only contains 10% natural vitamin E and 90% synthetic. Using synthetic vitamin E, which is much cheaper to produce, significantly lowers the product’s quality to cut costs.
To ensure transparency, manufacturers should clearly list the chemical names of their ingredients. Natural vitamin E should be labeled as ‘d-tocopherol,’ while synthetic versions should be marked as ‘dl-tocopherol.’ Natural forms of vitamins are generally 36% more potent than their synthetic versions. Research shows that natural vitamin E is likely twice as effective as synthetic versions in human subjects.
Are Your Vitamins Releasing the Energy You Need?
Our bodies can’t produce most vitamins on their own, so we must obtain them through our diet. Vitamins play a crucial role in releasing energy from the foods we eat. However, our food supply doesn’t always provide ample nutrients. This is why it’s important to consume a diet rich in fresh, raw foods like vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds, which offer a wide range of essential vitamins necessary for increased energy and overall well-being.
A lack of proper nutrition can lead to noticeable health issues, such as scurvy or rickets. However, the signs of vitamin deficiencies are often subtler. For example, a deficiency in vitamin B12 can take years to show up and might manifest as fatigue, depression, or neurological issues.
Always buy your vitamins and supplements from reputable companies. You can trust these companies if they produce their own products and use high-quality, organic ingredients.
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