Arts & Entertainment
Yours in Health: What’s in my vitamins, anyway?
Published
6 years agoon
Posted By
Outlaw Partners
EBS Health Columnist
Many Americans take vitamins daily to supplement any deficiencies they might have. It is difficult to get the recommended daily amount of nutrients and vitamins from our diets. This is especially true for vegetarians and vegans, for whom it can be difficult to get enough B12 and protein, which can negatively affect their health.
From my personal research, I am astounded by the ingredients in certain readily available supplement. Stores such as Costco, Walgreens, CVS, GNC, and Target all sell supplements that will most likely not be good for you because of added preservatives, or because the supplement does not even contain the main ingredient it advertises itself as.
For example, last week at Target I looked at Spring Valley’s calcium, magnesium, and zinc supplements. I cringed at the filler ingredients listed on the label: soy, polysorbate 80, mineral oil, and many more. Also, the magnesium was not pure magnesium, but magnesium oxide, which is not easily absorbed by our bodies. Magnesium oxide is used for constipation, but not for sleep, muscle cramping, or cardiovascular health, which is why most people take magnesium.
Many of these supplement brands also incorporate wheat and corn, including a lot of adult and children gummy vitamins. Corn is one of the most toxic grains in the U.S. because of the amount of pesticides used to grow it.
When shopping for supplements and vitamins, don’t let the label or name fool you. Nature Made Prenatal was even worse than the Spring Valley brand because it had corn, wheat, soy, and polyethelene glycol, which is a petroleum derivative.
A lot of people take vitamin B12 supplements. Your best bet is to get a B supplement that has methylcobalamin in it versus cyanocobalamin. The methyl version of a supplement makes it more absorbable. Methylcobalamin is the naturally occurring form of B12 versus the synthetic cyanocobalamin.
I also looked at the back of a Centrum Silver bottle and saw that the supplement contained cornstarch, aluminum, and a number of toxic food dyes. This wasn’t surprising to me after I read in the small print: it is made by Pfizer, a corporation that specializes in pharmaceuticals, not supplements.
At my practice, I am very selective about what supplements I carry in my office. I use brands that are typically for health physicians and practitioners only, like Optimal Health, Nutri-West, Apex Energetics, Standard Process and homeopathic remedies. Not only am I picky about the brands I carry, but I keep myself educated about them because I have carried brands in the past that changed their ingredients.
All of this said, not everyone needs a multivitamin. It’s better for a lot of people to take a specific vitamin that they tend to be more deficient in. Most Americans could benefit from Vitamin D with K2, high quality fish oil or Omega-3 oil, and magnesium (glycinate, taurate or citrate).
Dr. Andrea Wick is a chiropractor and applied kinesiologist. She graduated from Life University in Marietta, Georgia, and now practices in Big Sky. She has a passion for holistic health care and being active in the outdoors. Her practice, Healing Hands Chiropractic, is located in the Meadow Village Center. Visit drandreawick.com to learn more.
The Outlaw Partners is a creative marketing, media and events company based in Big Sky, Montana.
Upcoming Events
march, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before 9/10/2024:
more
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before
9/10/2024: Kindergarten
enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed by following the
registration process now.
Children
born on or after September 11, 2019: 4K enrollment is now open for
families that have a 4-year-old they would like to enroll in our program for
the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete the 4K Interest Form to
express your interest. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into
the 4K program. Enrollment is capped at twenty 4-year-olds currently
residing within Big Sky School District boundary full time and will be
determined by birth date in calendar order of those born on or after September
11, 2018. Interest form closes on May 30th.
Enrollment now is critical for fall preparations. Thank you!
Time
February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy
more
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy that tells the story of Toby and Melinda, two lonely people whose lives are forever changed the night they encounter a starving coyote at their apartment building. Over time they grow to expect him, leaving ritual offerings to entice the coyote every night. Toby and Melinda forge a connection over this visitor and share curiosity and concern about his presence in the city. The coyote expands their world–until, one night, their world is shattered. Their lives are pushed suddenly into uncharted territory, sending them on a surreal odyssey that changes their city–and the world–forever.
Directed by LX Miller. Starring Max Schneider and Denise Hergett
Verge Theater is continuing their mission to provide accessible theater to our community. Tickets for My Barking Dog are Pay What You Wish with a suggested price of $35. Audience members are offered the opportunity to select the price point that is comfortable for them when purchasing tickets.
My Barking Dog runs March 15-17, 22-24, 28-30
Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays begin at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees offered at 3:00 p.m.
Suitable for ages 16 . No animals are harmed in the staging of this production.
Tickets are available online at www.vergetheater.com
Time
15 (Friday) 7:00 pm - 30 (Saturday) 8:30 pm
Location
Verge Theater
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
more
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
Time
March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
Location
Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
29mar3:00 pm4:00 pmGood Friday Mass: St. Joseph Catholic Mission3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Event City:Big Sky
Event Details
Friday of the Passion of the Lord St. Joseph Catholic Mission
Event Details
Friday of the Passion of the Lord
St. Joseph Catholic Mission
Time
(Friday) 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm