A Rose by any other Name...

Still smells as sweet. But a supplement? That’s a different story. Vitamins and minerals come in different forms, from a variety of sources. Many vitamins sold over-the-counter are composed of synthetic ingredients that are more easily and less-expensively manufactured.

A bargain isn’t always better. For example, many popular calcium supplements for women contain calcium carbonate. Did you know that could lead to kidney stones? Calcium Citrate is a better, safer source. Check your labels, and know what you should be taking.


Do you know what's in these?

What to Look For:
- Magnesium citrate or glycinate or malate.
- Vitamin E as mixed natural tocopherols or d-alpha-tocopherol
- Calcium citrate or citrate-malate


Stay Away From:
- Magnesium carbonate, sulfate, gluconate, and oxide.
- Vitamin E as dl-alpha-tocopherol
- Calcium carbonate

You should also try not to take supplements with artificial colorings or flavorings and hydrogenated fats or oils. Suddenly taking a trip to the pharmacy department can make you feel like a crime scene investigator. Too bad we don't have a lab-assistant to explain to us what kind of chemicals we're consuming.

But don’t avoid the good stuff altogether. Taking supplements can supply our bodies with much needed nutrients we aren't getting elsewhere. So, as I use to ask my college roommate (remember that Melissa?) – Have you been taking your vitamins?