I always recommend eating a healthy diet which consists of fresh vegetables, fruits, lean meats, sea food, nuts and grains. Organic food is the most nutrient dense if grown on rich soil. The average American has to look and seek out this type of food and in some parts of the country it is hard to find.

As a result 90% of Americans food dollar is spent on convenience foods that are processed, packaged, and as a result are usually nutrient deficient even though artificial nutrients are added back into the food product after most natural nutrients have been stripped away. The food can only be as nutritious as the ground it is grown in and studies have shown our food source is less nutrient dense than it was thirty years ago. Also, the accummulation of pesticides, artificial colors, flavor enhancers and preservatives in todays processed foods leads one to be concerned about toxicity and it's effects.

Unfortunately, nutrient deficiencies and malnutrition can persist for a long time before they show up as physical signs and symptoms. Some of the signs of inadequate nutrition are fatigue, brittle or dry hair, ridged or spoon shaped nails, cracking or inflammation at the corners of the mouth, diarrhea, irritability and lack of appetite. These symptoms may also be associated with other conditions, so it is allways wise to get tested.

Most of us should take a multiple vitamin/mineral supplement. This is a good way to get a good variety of nutrients from a single product. MVM's are not meant to replace a healthy diet. They are meant to enhance the nutritional quality of your diet. The micro-nutrients that should be included in a complete MVM supplement are vitamin A, vitamin B complex, ( thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, B6, folic acid, B12, pantothenic acid and biotin), vitamin C, vitamin D-3, vitamin E (mixed tocopherols), as well as the minerals: calcium, magnesium, zinc, iodine, selenium, copper, manganese, chromium and molybdenum. Phospherus is also another dietary mineral, however, it is very abundant in our diets that it doesn't need to be included,with the exception of elderly people taking high doses of calcium can interfere with phosphorus absorbtion, so they may benefit by taking phosphorus also.

What about one a day multiples? Usually they don't provide sufficient amounts of many nutrients such as vitamin E, calcium, magnesium and vitamin C to make any difference. The multiples that require 2-6 tablets a day are preferrable taken with each meal.

Other nutrients I would recommend are, omega 3 oils, (fish or krill), probiotics, and anti-oxidants.

The only way to know if the supplements you are taking are working or to know exactly what vitamin/minerals and dosages you need to take is to get tested. Using bloodwork and other diagnostic tools we will give you a report and give you the nutrient and dietary recommendations based upton your test results.

Dr. Rick Haas DC,FACO