I love the fact that the Shaklee supplements have nothing artificial in them. Taking Shaklee supplements is like eating food. Your body recognizes the nutrients as food as takes them in. Watch this video at http://www.TirednoMore.com. Thanks for your comments. What are you doing now that you are not a PT any more? Betsy

God help me, I put aside a whole aftenoron to figure this out.

Thanks for your comments. Interesting ideas about actual avocados, etc on your hair. I just use the Shaklee hair products called Pro Sante (US only, or Canada, sold person to person). Betsy

Thank you for another good artilce about Essential Vitamins and Their Sources | . Where else could people get this kind of information in such a perfect manner of writing? I have a meeting next week, and I am trying to find such information.

Dear Monica, What a thoughtful question you have posed. I can offer two responses. 1st I was not taking any supplements when Jayme Curley introduced me to vitamins and I made my first purchase of a multi, B, C, Calcium, Alfala and Herb Lax (because of chronic constipation) and the Soy Protein Powder. That was 1985 and my health changed dramatically from chronically sick with upper respiratory infections to none, plus other healthy responses I have mentioned. So I don’t have the experience of switching brands and noticing a change. 2nd Since then, Shaklee’s supplements and the blood of Shaklee users were part of a big study conducted by the University of California School of Public Health (called the Landmark Study) and Dr. Gladys Block, lead researcher was blown away by the results. Now the control group had taken a multi for 20 years, but not a whole plethora of supplements, like the Shaklee users. In some ways it was not a fair comparison and her conclusion, while impressed by the healthy marker levels of so many measures, was that more comparitive studies needed to be conducted to conclude that the Shaklee supplements were more effective than brand X. They just didn’t have data for an across the board comparison, you know, fish oil brand x vx. fish oil Shaklee brand.

Coming myself from a strong alleopathic background (father MD and mother nurse), I knew what my body was experiencing but retained a skeptical questionning approach. I visited with two differenct chiroprators who muscle tested me for my supplements, taking each one individually and questioning my body as to if, how many and how often. Most recently I have had my blood and urine analized by Dr. Richard Brouse, a chiropractor/nutritionish with an impressive resume and list of lectures, publications and videos, including a nutrition course which I have taken. It is based on his recommendation that I continue to supplement at the present level.

Short of investing in his Build a Better You program which runs around $600 for complete analysis and recommendation, you might consider stopping everything for 90 days. It taken 90 to 120 days for the blood to be completely new. Take a careful self analysis of how you feel and then trying the Shaklee supplements little by little, self monitoring to see how you feel. We offer a money back guarantee for all the Shaklee products. The company stands behind that.

Based on the reports of others who have run out of their Shaklee and bought something else, they can feel the difference. I just had a woman call me who lost her distributor to say that the Multi she bought doesn’t smell good. Shaklee’s multi smells like food, the Alfalfa smells fresh. There is a difference. The company’s research is all about bioavailability, does the substance get into the blood stream. Can you measure that. Dr. Shaklee used to say “give the cells the nutrients they need and let them self select.” If you’d like to explore the Landmark study further, here is the website. http://www.landmarkstudy.com/

I wish you the best of health. If I can help take the mystery out of this, I’d be honored. although, ultimately it is a mystery.

Be well, Betsy

Hi Betsy; I am so appreciative of your wonderful blog; you inspire and educate and I love it!
I have always perused Consumer Reports for my big purchases, like appliances and cars, and depend on un-biased studies/opinions. The area of vitamin supplementation has baffled me for years, however.
I’m 60 yo, and have been taking vitamins regularly for 20 years, and recently I’ve begun to question this decision. I’ve looked at it as a sort of health insurance program for my body, but frankly, I really don’t know if they are valuable. I’ve spent lots of money on “prescription” vitamins; bought less expensive over-the-counter brands; bought from the local health food store more expensive brands, etc. etc., and come to the conclusion that I still don’t know! If I don’t take my vitamins, I feel no ill effects, or no difference in how my physical body feels and moves (except darker urine). I eat well; fruits, vegies, lean meat. If my blood does not indicate a deficiency in Vit. D, do I really need to be taking it? These are the type of issues I now question.

Hi, Francesca, I look forward to looking at your website and welcome any future comments from you. Be well, Betsy

Dear Cheri, Thank you so much for this. I know others will appreciate it. Interesting how far we have come in the last 25 years with even the medical association suggesting, recommending, certain supplements. Makes our job easier. Now the question is, which supplements actually make a difference in your body? Betsy

The latest on vitamins and minerals

Research on some popular vitamins and minerals reveals just who should be taking supplements and why. Findings include:

Everyone should be taking a multivitamin.
Women of childbearing age should take a multivitamin that includes 400 micrograms of folic acid to help prevent neural tube defects in infants.
People older than 50 and those of any age who don’t eat meat or dairy products should take a supplement of Vitamin B-12. From 10% to 30% of older people may be unable to absorb enough vitamin B-12 from food. The current recommended intake is 6 micrograms per day, but there is a low potential for toxicity at higher levels.
Well-constructed studies have not proven that large doses of vitamin C can fight colds or prevent heart disease and cancer. But some evidence suggests that it could work in concert with vitamin E and other nutrients in preventing eye diseases and lowering heart attack risk.
Vitamin E’s early promise for preventing heart disease has dimmed recently, although many researchers have not given up on possible health benefits. Evidence from observational studies suggests that at least 400 IUs are needed per day for optimal health.
Adequate vitamin D ensures that the body absorbs and retains calcium and phosphorus, both critical for building bones. Those who can’t get enough from the sun should be taking a supplement.
Calcium is universally recognized as a nutrient vital to preventing osteoporosis. But some observational studies show that the risk of prostate cancer increases with a higher calcium intake. The U.S. Office of Dietary Supplements advises that men keep their daily calcium intake below 2,500 mg per day.
Sources: Harvard School of Public Health, U.S. Office of Dietary Supplements