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[D434]Discount Vitamins And Minerals

by Darrell Miller, Dar

That is a good question ? are organic discount vitamins healthier. It should be irrelevant whether they are discount or not, so we shall forget that part of it for the time being. It is not totally irrelevant since organic vitamins can cost more, and any discount is a bonus, but let's look at the difference between organic and non-organic first.

Organic foods are easily defined: they are foods produced using 100% natural materials. A carrot is grown without using synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, and organic beef is fed with naturally grown grass and with no injected nutrients. The carrot is a carrot however it is grown, and the beef is beef whatever it is fed on. However, what is an organic vitamin? Is a vitamin a vitamin, irrespective of whether it is organic or not?

What is the difference between a vitamin in a tablet or a capsule and one that is contained within a carrot or a beef steak? Is vitamin C any the less because it comes in a supplement rather than in an orange? The answer to that is perhaps. Many would say no, and others would say yes, so the average answer is probably perhaps. But what is the actual truth of the matter? It is an important question because the synthetic vitamin and mineral industry is huge, and if synthetic vitamins are ineffective it will have massive implications for the industry.

Let us look at the arguments and see if we can come to a conclusion other than ?perhaps?.

It is medical evidence that is needed, not the opinion of one sect or another that believes we should eat only what God gives us: were that the case, then the human population would be in serious trouble right now. Nor is the opinion of the scientists that state that a chemical is a chemical, irrespective of its origin. It might not be so much the construction of the chemical that is relevant in this discussion than what synergies are important and what other chemicals are present within the natural source, the vegetable, fruit or animal, that are essential for the vitamin in question to be put to full use.

For example, vitamin C is a more effective antioxidant in the presence of vitamin E and zinc. Does a synthetic vitamin C supplement also contain traces of vitamin E and zinc? If not, then the organics win the argument. However, the same is true of organic vitamins. Without a balanced nutritional mix of vitamins and minerals, individual organic vitamin combinations, synergistical or not, will have less of an effect than a balance multivitamin tablet. Or will it?

I am not referring to those that claim organic vitamins to be living enzymes, which they patently are not, but to the forms in which nutrients are best absorbed by the body. Organic vitamins are made by processing the natural source, for example carrot powder. Why not, then, simply call it carrot powder? The problem is the ignorance and opinion that abounds on the internet on this topic. That makes it very difficult to find real information.

For example the belief that a vitamin is a living enzyme, or that organic vitamins have no added heavy metals such as ?arsenic, aluminum, cadmium, lead and mercury?. That list is the one I saw on a website, not mine. Apart from the fact that aluminum is not a heavy metal, none of these metals are allowed by federal law to be added to any foodstuff since they are all highly toxic. Nor do they appear naturally in any vitamin. So why mention them?

Where can we go to for information if not the internet? The answer is simple. Believe no one but what your common sense tells you. Labeling is controlled by state and federal regulations, and must be accurate. If a vitamin is labeled as 100% organic, it means that it was produced without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. So what does that mean in terms of vitamin C?

If we ignore the silly argument that vitamins are enzymes and take ?organic? as described in the paragraph above, what is ?organic? vitamin C? Is it crushed and dried blackberries or powdered broccoli, or is it ascorbic acid extracted from organically grown oranges? Or is it chemically synthesized ascorbic acid made without the use of any fertilizers or pesticides? I know that the argument seems facetious, but it is not. It is stated in that way to indicate that no satisfactory definition of ?organic? as related to supplements has been offered.

Let us assume that term refers to vitamins and other supplements that have been obtained from living sources that have been grown without the use of synthetic nutrients or pesticides. In that case they could be the vegetable source in a natural, dried and powdered, or extract form. Is there any reason why organic vitamin C cannot be offered in the form of fruit juice, fruit extract or even the isolated ascorbic acid in tablet form? The non-organic source would be defined as synthetic ascorbic acid manufactured from corn syrup or whatever.

In fact there is! This is where you and I as laymen are ignorant of what a vitamin really is. It is very rarely a pure chemical, but is part of a complex of different chemicals that need each other for the whole to provide the desired benefit to our bodies. In a natural vitamin C source, for example, there are a number of organic and inorganic chemicals, most of which act synergistically as previously described.

The same is true of the B vitamins: those that are needed together occur naturally together, along with the minerals and other phytonutrients needed for them to carry out their allotted tasks.

Synthetic ascorbic acid is the same chemical as natural ascorbic acid. If a vitamin C supplement is provided as part of a multivitamin and mineral supplement that contains all the chemicals needed for vitamin C to carry out its antioxidant function, then it will do so. If, however, it is required for its part in the formation collagen that is necessary to prevent scurvy, for example, then it might not do so if the other materials needed for it to carry out that function are absent.

In that case, even just taking vitamin C as an example, and not considering any of the others, a natural organic source must be healthier than a synthetic source. Organic discount vitamins are not only healthier but also less expensive if the discount is sufficient to overcome the difference in price that normally exists between organic and synthetic sources. Taking organic vitamins assures one that there are no harmful chemicals and metals in the vitamins which leads to a healthier disease free life.

Congratulations to the millions of people who have decided to change their diets and adopt a healthier lifestyle. What they are doing for themselves will add years of happiness to their lives, give them a stronger sense of well-being, and they will experience a better overall self image. Whether adopting a diet for weight-loss or health reasons or for personal or moral reasons (such as vegetarian or vegan diets), dieters are doing something good for themselves - and that's important.

Equally important is maintaining proper nutrition during times of restricted caloric intake or food restrictions. The human body operates on myriad vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients and it receives all of these building blocks from a variety of different foods. It is difficult enough to get everything the body needs without cutting back on calories or eliminating entire food groups, so it is virtually impossible to get it all while on a diet - any kind of diet. Supplementing with discount vitamins helps to ensure proper nutrition while still meeting the objective of the diet.

There are literally thousands of vitamins and supplements to choose from, so it is important to know what the many vitamins and minerals do for the body and which ones are lacking in the various diets.

Weight loss diets come in many forms, the simplest of which is just a matter of cutting calories. This means eating basically the same foods, just less of them. Most of these diets are extremely lacking in fruits and vegetables, which are a major source of vitamins A, C, and K. Vitamin A plays many roles including assisting in cell growth and generation and helping to maintain a strong immune system. Almost everyone is aware of vitamin C's super powers in fighting colds and other illnesses, but it is also a vital antioxidant and it has been linked to maintaining a healthy heart. Vitamin K's primary function is to help in the clotting of blood so that minor cuts and abrasions do not cause a person to bleed to death. Now that's pretty significant.

Healthier weight-loss diets encourage the consumption of many fresh fruits and vegetables as they are low in fat and calories and can be eaten in larger quantities without the calorie count of items from other food groups. This still presents an opportunity for one to be deficient in one or many nutrients. Reducing one's caloric intake means giving up something from one or perhaps all food groups, so nutrients somewhere somehow are going to be lacking, no matter how balanced the diet is.

There are also specialty weight-loss diets such as Adkins and South Beach Diet. The Adkins diet is high in meats and other protein sources and very low in carbohydrates and foods from the bread and cereal food group. While the South Beach Diet is a little more balanced, it encourages limited amounts of carbohydrates from bread, cereal, pasta, and fruit. Foods plentiful in whole grains are excellent sources of iron, fiber, many of the B vitamins, and the minerals magnesium and selenium. A lack of iron in the diet can result in a condition known as anemia. Individuals suffering from anemia feel sluggish and tired and they experience slowed mental and physical abilities. Fiber not only helps with the digestion of food, but also reduces the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and constipation. The B vitamins found in whole grains are vital for the metabolism of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. Selenium and magnesium are minerals needed in only trace amounts. Selenium acts as an antioxidant and helps to prevent heart disease and cancer. Magnesium helps to keep bones strong as well as promote normal nerve and muscle function.

Lifestyle diets include vegetarianism and veganism and both are growing in popularity. Vegetarians omit all meat products from their diets, limiting available sources of protein. Protein's best-known role is that of the body's building blocks, but it also plays a role in digestion and maintaining the immune system. Basically, every living cell and most fluids in the body contain protein. It is what the body uses to build and regenerate itself. Vegans eliminate not just meat from their diets, but all animal products, including eggs and milk. Not only are they faced with a potential lack of protein, but they must also find other sources calcium. Calcium is known for building strong bones and teeth. A deficiency of this important mineral can lead to brittle bones and/or osteoporosis.

Another diet that should be discussed is that of a person suffering from celiac disease, or intolerance to gluten, a protein found in wheat products. Wheat flour is the main ingredient in most breads, cereals, and pastas. As discussed previously, these foods are excellent sources of vitamin B, fiber, and other minerals. Discount vitamins are especially useful to individuals with this type of dietary issue as this is a permanent diet and cheating can often lead to a life-threatening allergic reaction.

The food pyramid, as put out by the USDA, is designed to provide for all daily nutritional requirements. However, if the average person could follow the food pyramid, the weight loss industry would not be as large as it is today. It can be difficult to change eating habits - no matter what the reason - but discount vitamins can help to ensure that everyone is getting the nutrition their bodies require.

There are many reasons to "go on a diet." Whether it is to lose weight or as a demonstration of one's moral beliefs, dieting should be a positive experience to improve one's quality of life. Supplementing with discount vitamins can enhance one's dieting experience by helping to round out everyday nutrition. And balanced nutrition is something that everyone should do for him or herself.

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Darrell Miller has sinced written about articles on various topics from Search Engine Marketing, Arthritis Signs and Anti Oxidant. More information can be found at where a large selection of. Darrell Miller's top article generates over 90500 views. to your Favourites.

Freelance Writer has sinced written about articles on various topics from Finances, The Internet and Travel and Leisure. By a freelance writer for who sells quality vitamins and herbs with a wide selection of. Freelance Writer's top article generates over 823000 views. to your Favourites.