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Starting A Vitamin Research Supplement Program That's Right For YouBy Ward Dean, M.D. With all the possible choices of vitamins and supplements available today—a wide range of formulas and products from countless companies—selecting the most appropriate formula for your needs may appear overwhelming. This uncertainty is common not only for those who are new to supplements, but among current consumers as well. For example, when evaluating the nutritional programs of my patients, I ask them to bring in their current supplements. What I usually find is a “mish-mash” of bottles from several different companies. The trouble with this approach is that it is costly and not necessarily in the best interest of one’s health. These combinations of formulas characteristically contain large amounts of certain therapeutic nutrients, plus miscellaneous redundant co-factors. Consequently, the various supplements often conflict with one another, and may have wastefully excessive, imbalanced or even detrimental doses of some nutrients while offering only sub-therapeutic (ineffective) amounts of others. However, formulas in each level of Vitamin Research Product’s anti-aging pyramid (shown here) are designed to work together in a complementary fashion. We call this synergistic approach our Modular Concept. This modular approach helps ensure against unnecessary, overlapping and sometimes counterproductive ingredients. Using VRP’s unique modular concept, let’s look at how to build an effective supplement program that’s right for you, one step at a time. As shown below, when designing a nutritional supplement program, there are some basic requirements common to all of us.
MULTINUTRIENTS — I believe that the foundation of any supplement program, whether therapeutic or preventive, is a broad-spectrum multinutrient formula. Vitamin Research Products’ multinutrient formulas range from Extend One to Extend Ultra. In choosing a multinutrient formula, you’ll want to consider several factors: cost; your daily “pill capacity”; your personal dietary and therapeutic needs (based on age, sex, health condition, family history and personal goals); gastrointestinal tolerance (some people find high-potency formulas upsetting to their stomachs); quality of your diet; and your exercise habits.
MULTIMINERALS — Next I recommend adding a multimineral formula, such as VRP’s Essential Minerals or Advanced Essential Minerals. This step is important, as it is generally not possible to provide adequate amounts of the “macrominerals” (especially calcium and magnesium) in a multinutrient formula because of the “capsule space” they require. PHYTONUTRIENTS — Third, because even the most conscientious of us often do not consume adequate phytonutrients, I recommend that everyone include one or more broad-spectrum phytonutrient supplement formulas in their daily “nutrition-insurance” program. Examples of such formulas include VRP’S Vital Veggies, Primary Greens, Protective Fruits and/or Extension Phytonutrient. CONDITION-SPECIFIC FORMULAS — Having established the nutritional foundation, consider choosing formulas for specific condition support; i.e., bone and joint, cardiovascular or other problem areas. ANTIOXIDANTS, HORMONE SUPPORT AND OTHER ANTI-AGING NUTRIENTS — To complete your supplement program, you can branch out and tailor it to your individual needs, adding antioxidants, hormones, receptor sensitizers and bioenergizers. By following these simple steps based on VRP’s modular concept, you can be confident that your nutritional requirements are being met, while minimizing unwanted and unnecessary ingredients. If you would like assistance in planning your supplement program, you may want to consider a personalized consultation with one of VRP’s certified clinical nutritionists. For more information about this program, click here.
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