Even if you live a moderately healthy lifestyle and eat your vegetables, you may still be missing out on important vitamins and minerals. It is difficult to get all of the important vitamins from food alone, especially in the typical American diet. Taking supplements is a great way to ensure that your body is getting all of the essential vitamins it needs to function properly.
According to a national poll from the American Osteopathic Association, 86% of Americans take a vitamin or supplement regularly – and yet, one out of four vitamin takers actually had measurable nutritional deficiencies.
So, why is there this discrepancy between the number of supplements people are taking versus the levels of vitamins present within the body?
Most people are not taking physician grade supplements proven to be more effective than the typical vitamins - which are available over the counter.
So, why are physician grade supplements so much better and why should you be taking them?
Let’s discuss.
It may alarm you to know that dietary supplements and vitamins sold in most health stores are not heavily regulated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). These supplements are not required to undergo testing, nor do they require proof of any promises – although the FDA does not allow them to make medical claims on treatments for diseases.
Further, most of these vitamins are made with low-quality, cheap ingredients to keep the cost low. Some even use synthetic forms of certain vitamins because they are less expensive to procure. This means that the products are not highly potent, and therefore, do not deliver the promised results.
In some cases, the ingredients in non-physician grade supplements can be dangerous and harmful. One study published by the National Library of Medicine found a direct link between botanical dietary supplements and kidney damage. Moreover, other over-the-counter vitamins contained carcinogens and hormone modulators.
Traditional vitamins often contain additional, unnecessary ingredients like dyes, cork, dextrose, and sodium benzoate fillers to create a more pleasant appearance. These fillers can become toxic over time and even cause allergic reactions.
Physician grade supplements contain only the most natural form of vitamins and minerals – not synthetic ones. These are procured from whole food sources, such as plants, herbs, and fruits. This means that they are easily absorbed by the body in the same way that they would through food.
Physician grade supplements are highly concentrated and are required to include at least 99% of the active ingredient. This leaves virtually no room for byproducts, dyes, or other toxic fillers. These supplements are also tested for potential allergies and are free of common allergens such as gluten, eggs, peanuts, and preservatives.
Store-bought supplements also do not account for bioavailability, which is the body’s ability to absorb the vitamins properly. Over-the-counter supplements often contain multiple compounds of different vitamins and minerals. However, it is harder for the body to absorb all of the ingredients at once.
Take calcium and iron as an example.
These are commonly taken together in a multivitamin supplement, but these two minerals counteract each other, so very little can be absorbed by the body.
Physician grade supplements are held to a much higher standard. Ingredients must be proven to be fully absorbed by the body within a specified amount of time to qualify as medical grade.
Our bodies are designed to extract the necessary vitamins and nutrients from the food we ingest. Therefore, the body can absorb natural forms better than synthetic, leading to long-term health results, such as a higher immune system. For instance, natural vitamin E is absorbed by the body twice as efficiently as synthetic vitamin E.
Many traditional supplements are made to be a one-size-fits-all approach.
They are designed to be convenient so you can just take one multivitamin a day and have all of your bases covered. But this is not a fit for everyone, particularly people with specific vitamin deficiencies, conditions, or health goals.
Physician grade supplements are made to provide necessary dosages. These can be adjusted depending on the person’s health needs, sensitivities, diet, or even their lifestyle. Since these types of supplements typically contain just one vitamin or mineral, it is easy to control just how much a person ingests daily so they are not getting too much or too little.
The supplements you see at the grocery store are not always required to post an expiration date. This means there is no way to ensure that the ingredients are still active or effective! Sitting on the shelf for extended periods will diminish the potency of the supplement. Therefore, you should be only taking ones made with fresh ingredients.
Physician grade supplements are held to a far higher standard, and must list all of the following information on the bottle:
• Raw ingredient testing results • Full ingredient list • Expiration dates - which are determined through testing
Finally, you can only purchase physician grade supplements from medical clinics and facilities; you cannot purchase them over-the-counter at common retailers. A medical professional must consult with you on the supplements to take and how often to take them.
Everyone can benefit from adding vitamins, minerals, and other supplements into their diet. However, the traditional vitamins you see at the store are not always as effective or healthy as you think. You should be consuming physician grade supplements if you want to ingest the highest-quality ingredients and experience the best results.
If you have any further questions regarding which vitamins you should be taking, contact the Renaissance Clinic for physician grade supplements in Miami.
Our team of medical professionals will create a tailored health plan to help you meet your goals. Whether you want to lose weight, slow down the aging process, or simply live a healthier lifestyle, we can help.
You will work one-on-one with Dr. Soofian to create a completely customized treatment plan and receive full support - every step of the way.