Vitamin Mineral Supplement Facts |

As a Martial Artist, you are probably looking for ways to become healthier, feel great, and improve your performance. Because our diets aren’t always perfect (some of ours more so than others), a simple vitamin/mineral supplement is probably in order. A “simple” supplement does not exceed 100 % of the RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) or AI (Adequate Intake, used when an RDA can’t be determined by the government). There are no proven benefits for consuming levels above the RDA or AI, and there may very well be health hazards associated with consuming amounts in excess of those recommended.

In addition to reporting the amount of nutrients that a supplement contains, the label also provides information for USP (United States Pharmacopeia). Having this on the label means that the supplement company is responsible to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for meeting the USP dissolution standards (the standard for how well supplements dissolve and are therefore available for the body to use). The USP also means that the supplement has gone through a number of other FDA tests as well, for strength (potency), and purity. This doesn’t guarantee that a supplement is great, but it certainly heads you in the right direction. At the very least you’ll be confident that the supplement won’t pass through your system undissolved, giving you none of its benefits.

Another trait to look for in a vitamin/mineral supplement is “national branding.” This does not mean a “name brand” advertised on television, but rather a widely distributed brand. A supermarket chain’s vitamins are very likely as good as a Centrum or One-a-Day. The idea is that a nation-wide food and drug manufacturer has their own manufacturing controls that help to assure product standards.

Of course, it is crucial to eat a variety of foods and focus your attention on making your diet the best it can be on any given day. There is no magic pill. The same way that a pill can’t substitute for training, a pill can’t be a substitute for a healthy diet. Healthy foods contain a large number of other nutrients, in addition to vitamins and minerals (such as dietary fiber and phytochemicals, not to mention compounds yet to be identified), that you just can’t get in a pill.

So train well; eat a balanced diet focused on whole grains, fruits and vegetables; and take a simple vitamin/mineral supplement just to be sure. Give yourself every opportunity and advantage to be at your best each and every day.

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Jennifer Galea –
About the Author:

Jennifer Galea is a contributing writer for Martial Arts Monthly magazine.

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