Vitamins - Introduction - Supplements

You may supplement your diet with practically any vitamin and preparations are available in capsule, tablet, liquid, lozenge, or sublingual (beneath the tongue) forms. They are available in both natural and synthetically sourced preparations.

As a basic rule, it is best to obtain vitamins from your diet, unless one or more specific situations deem otherwise. Studies have shown that natural food supplements are protein bonded, making them more easily assimilated and retained in the body, as opposed to synthetics which are not bonded in this fashion.

Synthetic vitamins (and minerals) are created in the laboratory and are isolated for one or more vitamins. These preparations are chemically similar to the vitamins found in your food. However, food-based vitamins are complemented with additional nutrients that benefit the body.

When purchasing vitamins and/or minerals in supplement form:

• Ensure they are of high quality and potency.
• If taking a blend, such as a B Complex vitamin, ensure the specific nutrients are in the right balance.
• Ensure bottles are dark in colour and not transparent, so as not to allow sunlight into the container.