Preppin' 101 - Part 3 - Health - Supplement Guidelines

Although it is best to get your daily vitamin and mineral nutrition from whole foods, it is not always possible. Some foods are seasonal and not readily available. Other foods may simply not be available due to shortages (storms, disasters, etc.). There may even be food allergies or other medical problems that may require you to obtain the necessary nutrients for your health through vitamin and mineral supplements.

Here are two major guidelines for choosing the best possible whole food vitamin and mineral supplements to ensure proper nutritional.

1. Look for vitamin and mineral supplements that are made with 100% whole foods; if the ingredients label doesn't clearly list only whole foods, or if you only see chemicals like "ascorbic acid" or "Vitamin C" without an accompanying reference to a whole food source, then you are likely looking at supplements that contains synthetic nutrients.

2. Look for vitamin or mineral supplements that come in dark glass containers. Dark glass containers (amber-colored, etc.) are the best storage containers for preserving nutrient integrity because they are inert (chemically inactive), and they protect the essential fatty acids in whole foods. Plastic containers may allow oxygen to seep in over time, which can cause significant loss of nutrient value.

Most vitamin or mineral supplements are packaged in plastic bottles because plastic is cheap and it doesn't break easily, although it can crack or deteriorate over time.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker