Natural vs Synthetic

Not all vitamins were created equal - or natural. To be more specific, over 90% of the vitamins purchased by consumers, whether in a supermarket, pharmacy or health food store, are substances formulated in a laboratory. These synthetic, fractionated vitamins simply cannot be easily absorbed by the body which means that when you take them you are literally flushing money down the toilet.

How do you know if you are ingesting a synthetic vitamin or one made from all natural fruits and vegetables? It’s easy really, just read the label. If your vitamin’s ingredients sound like something from a chemistry lab then that’s exactly what they are; chemically created synthetic vitamins.

For example, here is a list of the major ingredients of a leading vitamin brand found in just about every grocery store and pharmacy in America and taken by millions of unsuspecting consumers every day: magnesium oxide; dicalcium phosphate; ascorbic acid; di-alpha tocopheryl acetate; ferrous fumarate; croscarmellose sodium; potassium chloride; calcium panthenate; pyridoxine hydrochloride; hypromelose; polyethelene glycol; manganese sulfate; pytonadione and cyanocobalamin (a synthetic form of vitamin B-12). Do you have any idea what any of those things are? You’d have to be a chemist to know what you are putting in your system with a list like that.

Now look at the list of ingredients on a box of 9 a Day Plus where the vitamins come from these natural sources: carrots; acerola cherry; soy; sunflower; corn; spinach; blueberry; raspberry; apple; cranberry; grape; aloe vera; beets; etc. It is easy to see that there is a difference so now you need to understand why that difference really matters to your health.

The truth is that even though they are often called natural, most non-food vitamins are isolated chemical substances which are crystalline in structure. And most vitamins in these supplements are made or processed with petroleum derivatives or hydrogenated sugars. Vitamins naturally found in food are not crystalline and never isolated. Vitamins found in any real food are chemically and structurally different from those commonly found in “natural vitamin” formulas. Since they are different, you should consider non-food vitamins as vitamin “analogues” or imitations and not actually vitamins.

The body treats these isolated - or fractionated - vitamins as they would any foreign or chemical substance: it rejects them. This is why the bulk of the content simply passes through the body and is never assimilated into your system. This is why over-consumption of these kinds of vitamins can actually be detrimental to your health as they can build up in the liver or kidneys and do more harm than good.

You may be thinking that your vitamins are different because you buy them at a health food store. You are probably wrong. Here is a list of ingredients from a bottle of vitamin C from a major brand found in a local health food store: ascorbic acid; cellulose gel; corn starch; hydropxypropyl cellulose; hydroxypropyl methylcellulose; magnesium state; silicon dioxide; stearic acid;polyethylene glycol. The front of the label says all natural and it’s on a shelf in a reputable health food store, but the ingredients label doesn’t lie – there’s nothing natural about this product at all.

You may have noticed that a common ingredient is ascorbic acid. Some of you may be thinking that ascorbic acid is in fact vitamin C but here is another myth about the vitamins we waste money on. Though the FDA allows Ascorbic Acid to be labeled as vitamin C, it really is NOT vitamin C. It is only part of the vitamin C complex and what is known as a fractionated vitamin. This is true for many of the vitamins you may be taking now. Instead of getting the entire benefit of the vitamin you are buying you are probably getting only part of the vitamin, which is like taking no vitamin at all. The body cannot use a vitamin unless it is in its entirety. It doesn’t use the isolated parts properly so you might as well not bother taking it at all.

9 a Day Plus uses complete, natural vitamins from fruits and vegetables that your body can easily absorb and put to use. Feel the 9 a Day difference and get all the nutritional benefits from your supplements that you pay for.

What Are Minerals Anyway?

The word "minerals" might bring to mind a field of rocks but we’re not talking about the inorganic kind of mineral here. The minerals that our body needs are contained in the foods we eat. Minerals contribute to important body function, like the synthesis of nucleic acids and proteins, cellular integrity, the use of glucose, nerve response, muscle function and brain function. Some of the vital minerals you need are calcium, iron, magnesium, and potassium, to name a few. You’ve most likely been told as a child to finish your milk for strong bones and teeth and there is some truth to that. The problem is, unless you own a cow, the milk you buy in a store today is actually calcium deficient, which is why is says fortified on the label. The same goes for many other important minerals. Banana is an excellent source of potassium but how many bananas do you usually eat per day to get your RDA? Even if you are taking mineral supplements you are probably mineral deficient because you are not getting the proper absorption your body needs. When you take commercially produced minerals your body cannot discern the difference between them and a bunch of rocks. That’s because in order for maximum absorption to occur the minerals must be bonded to an amino acid. That’s how minerals from foods process in the body. Think of these amino acids as postal workers delivering some very important mail to your body. The process whereby the minerals you need are bound to these amino acids is called chelation. According to the NHANES III study of mineral nutrient intake in the United States, most Americans are deficient in Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, Zinc, Potassium, and Copper. Even more frightening, Americans were found to be consuming as little as 69% of the recommended dietary intake of these essential minerals. To add to poor nutrient intake, many other lifestyle choices and conditions can negatively influence the absorption and bio-availability of minerals:

• Digestive Disorders
• Smoking
• Intake of Carbonated Beverages
• Medication Use
• Alcohol
• Aging
• Many other Conditions and Disease States

Approximately 40% of the U.S. population regularly takes a vitamin/mineral supplement. Due to their low cost and high mineral content, poorly absorbed mineral salts (carbonates, sulfates, etc.) are widely used in these vitamin/mineral supplements. Mineral salts must undergo complex digestive and transport processes, resulting in low absorption and bioavailability. This low absorption also leads to uncomfortable side effects, such as constipation and indigestion. Fortunately, other choices are available. 9 a Day Plus capsules are a simple and easy solution for acquiring all the nutrition you need for optimum health. Some of the minerals contained in every serving of 9 a Day Plus are calcium, iodine, copper, manganese, chromium and zinc, only to name a few. Though we do use minerals from plants, the majority come from one of the best sources of chelated minerals available anywhere in the world, Albion’s Amino Acid Chelated minerals. They are even more readily available to the body than from foods. The minerals are micronized and chelated to amino acids. This means that the smaller size of the compound (a patented process) and the chelation allow the minerals to be absorbed and utilized by the body at much higher rates as compared to other mineral compounds. There is no finer mineral delivery system available and to use the postal analogy again, isn’t it time you switched from your old 3rd class supplements to a 1st class whole-food supplement?

What Are Probiotics - And Why Do We Need Them?

The word bacteria can bring a chill to your spine or images of paramecium in a Petri Dish to mind but in fact your body naturally contains thousand of microscopic bacteria that are an essential part of your personal eco-system.

Probiotics are dietary supplements containing beneficial bacteria or yeasts. According to the currently adopted definition probiotics are: "Live micro-organisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host".* Probiotics, which means "for life", have been used for centuries as natural components in health-promoting foods.

Probiotics aid in digestion and absorption, help manage lactose intolerance, aid in the prevention of some cancers, especially colon cancer, help lower cholesterol, support immune functions and help prevent infection, defend against gastrointestinal diseases like irritable bowel syndrome and colitis and defend against the harmful bacteria that might enter the system.

So you can see that those little life forms are pretty darn important to your continued good health. The problem is that we often eliminate the good bacteria in our bodies when we attack the bad and take antibiotics, do a cleansing fast or eat improperly. It’s important to be sure you have the right kind of bacteria in your system.

9 a Day Plus contains a proprietary blend of beneficial bacteria chosen to improve immune function, aid in digestion, synthesize vitamins and can help reduce cholesterol. The inclusion of these probiotic benefits are another reason why 9 a Day Plus is the most complete and nourishing whole food vitamin supplement you can buy.

Try the 9 a Day difference and see for yourself.

"We Have Yet To Improve On What Mother-Nature Has Given Us To Eat.

...Foods Simply Cannot Be Artificially Duplicated In The Science-Laboratory."

-Gabriel Clousens, M.D

Whole food vitamins are obtained by taking a vitamin-rich plant, removing the water and the fiber in a cold vacuum process, free of chemicals, and then packaging for stability. The entire vitamin complex in this way can be captured intact, retaining its "functional and nutritional integrity." Upon ingestion, the body is not required to draw on its own reserves in order to complete any missing elements from the vitamin complex, thus it becomes a "food active".

Most people are not aware that most vitamins are processed at high temperature, contain petroleum derived chemical solvents, such as coal tar derivatives and ethyl cellulose and are coated with methylene chloride, a carcinogenic material. These sources are not living foods but dead chemicals and over a period of extended use can be potentially dangerous if ingested in mass quantity.

According to Dr. Zoltan P. Rona, M.D., "Although most healthy people will have no obvious side effects from ingesting small amounts of toxins found in most vitamins, the long-term consequences of continuous, daily intakes are potentially dangerous." Dr. Rona says that reactions include fatigue, memory loss, depression, insomnia and potential liver disorders.

Another problem faced by the consumer when making a vitamin choice is that almost all vitamins available today are fractionated and not complete vitamin products. For example, the FDA allows ascorbic acid to be called vitamin C, even though ascorbic acid is merely the antioxidant protector of the vitamin C complex which is made up of 8 individual parts. When using just 1/8 (ascorbic acid) of the whole, the vitamin becomes fractionated.

It's like getting the shell without the egg. Minus the necessary co-factors, ascorbic acid doesn't have the same effect as natural vitamin C on the common cold and other conditions where vitamin C has proven helpful. It's the same with vitamin E. Natural vitamin E is more biologically active than the synthetic version.....therefore it is absorbed better and retained longer in the body.

According to noted health columnist John Herring, "In nature, vitamins occur as part of a complex system of other vitamins, enzymes, and nutrients. These co-factors create a synergy that increases the effectiveness of each component of the system. As much as possible, you should meet your nutritional needs through a healthy diet. This is not always possible. Therefore when you choose a nutritional supplement, choose one made from real whole food...such as herbs, berries, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seed, grains, etc. In other words, put food into your body, NOT CHEMICALS."

The vitamins in 9 a Day Plus are derived exclusively from organic fruits and vegetable sources. No chemicals or synthetics are employed in the making of the finest nutritional supplement available anywhere.

The Vitamins We Take

For nearly 70 years we have been overwhelmed with information about the need for supplemental vitamins and minerals. Health food stores, grocery stores and even some doctor’s offices have shelves loaded with bottles and boxes of vitamin and mineral supplements in the form of tablets, capsules and canisters of powders that are mixed into “delicious” shakes. Look at the number of network marketing companies that offer “nutritious” supplements to their distributors. There are literally hundreds of companies promoting their products! Using exquisitely designed marketing materials and well laid out websites, each of these companies proclaim one basic theme “Ours is the Best”! A month does not go by that you don’t get something in the mail about a revolutionary doctor endorsed, new nutritional formula or a catalog featuring a wide variety of vitamins and minerals that will, "quite possibly", cure any ailment.

With the above in mind, take a look at the health condition of the U.S. population. All anyone needs to do is refer to health and mortality statistics reported by the Center of Disease Control (CDC) to learn that cancer rates are at all time highs and growing. Cardiovascular disease and stroke are at all time highs. Diabetes in both children and adults is at an all time high and rapidly growing. Arthritis and joint pain are at all time highs. Depression and anxiety are at all time highs. Internal organ disorders and disease are at all time highs. With all of the health products being marketed to us.......why are major diseases on the increase? If we are regularly ingesting all of our fortified and enriched foods that contain the necessary vitamin and mineral nutrients and we are dutifully taking our daily vitamin & mineral supplements, shouldn’t we all be healthier? The answer is "of course, we should all be healthier....much healthier"!

Why aren't we healthier? Why do so many continue to suffer form bouts with the cold, flu, sore throats, allergies and pneumonia? How and why has our immune system become so compromised? With all of the nutritional supplements that are available, including all of the vitamin and mineral enriched and fortified foods...we as a society should all be reeling with optimum health and boundless energy! Instead, just the opposite is true! Fatigue for many, seems to be the order of the day.

In the name of "good health", consider this:

• Milk is fortified and enriched with Vitamins A and D
• Most all cereals are fortified and enriched with all of the major vitamin and mineral groups...in many cases with 100% of RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance).
• Breads, cake mixes, biscuit mixes, pancake and cornbread mixes, frostings, muffins, pies, cookies and crackers are all fortified and enriched with Vitamin A and most of the B vitamins as well as several minerals.
• Packaged pastas are fortified and enriched with most of the B vitamins as well as Iron and Zinc.
• Unless naturally squeezed or pressed, most all fruit and vegetable juices are fortified and enriched with at least vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin A (palmitate) and calcium (calcium citrate, carbonate, ascorbate or phosphate).
• Many canned foods such as soups, fruits, vegetables, pastas, beans, etc. are fortified and enriched with various vitamins and minerals.
• The list of foods goes on and on……all one needs to do is read the labels. MOST EVERYTHING WE INGEST IS EITHER ENRICHED/FORTIFIED WITH ADDED VITAMIN AND MINERAL NUTRIENTS...all in synthetic form! Depending upon our personal susceptibility to chemicals, we are overloading our bodies with potentially dangerous laboratory made ingredients.

And, if the fortification and enrichment weren’t enough, much of our food is loaded with high fructose corn syrup (a leading contributor to obesity and diabetes). "The Effects of High Fructose Corn Syrup on Blood Lipid Levels": American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 37:5, 1983, 740-748.) and partially hydrogenated oils (a known contributor to diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease).....The New England Journal of Medicine, June 24, 1999 Vol. 340, No. 25).

With all of the vitamin enrichment and fortification in our foods and with the billions of dollars spent annually for nutritional supplements, WHY ARE AMERICANS SUFFERING MORE FROM SERIOUS DISEASES THAN AT ANY OTHER TIME IN OUR HISTORY? Could it be possible that we as Americans are the most over fed and yet undernourished people in the world?

Take a look at this….what do these words mean to you?

Pryidoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Thiamine Chloride, Cobalamin, Cyanocobalamin, Palmitate, Acetate, Menadione, Phytonadione, Cholecalciferol, Niacin, Niacinamide, Ascorbic Acid, Buffered Ascorbic Acid, , Riboflavin, d-Alpha Tocopherol Acetate, Tocopheryl Acetate, dl-alpha Tocopherol, Alpha-tocopherol, Succinate, Choline Bitartrate, Pteroylglutamic Acid. Each one of these words refers to vitamins….vitamins that are in a synthetic fractionated form. They are made from dead chemicals in a laboratory...not from living whole food like fruits, berries, vegetables, nuts, seeds and grains. A list of these words looks more like a chemistry class text book than something good and nutritious to eat!

Now look at these words….what do they mean to you?

Calcium Carbonate, Calcium Citrate, Calcium Ascorbate, Calcium Pantothenate, Tricalcium Phosphate, Potassium Iodide, Ferrous Gluconate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Gluconate, Copper Citrate, Magnesium Phosphate, Magnesium Citrate, Magnesium Oxide, Potassium Borate, Manganese Citrate, Manganese Glycerophosphate, Potassium Borate, Chromium Polynicotinate, Molybdenum Trioxide, L-Selenomethionine, Sodium Selenite, Vanadyl Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, and Zinc Acetate. These words all refer to synthetic inorganic mineral salts. Each one of these substances are also made in a laboratory.....they are chemical based. Again, it looks more like the readings from your chemistry class than actually eating something nutritious!

Is it possible that in the name of “good health and nutrition”, we are literally over-dosing on synthetic, fractionated and inorganic laboratory produced ingredients? These chemical substances may quite possibly be building up unnecessary amounts of toxins in our liver and thus may possibly be contributing to a wide variety of physical ailments.

Let's look at some additional facts:

• Look at your cereal box, look at your bread, look at your milk…..now go read the label on your vitamin/mineral/antioxidant supplement that is sitting in your cupboard. Except for some possible added "food derived" antioxidants and some possible herbal additives, they are IDENTICAL! Could it be that we are over dosing on synthetic chemicals that just might be contributing to a build up of liver toxins?
• We have been told for years that we can get all the vitamins and minerals we need if we eat a balanced diet. Not true! More than 90% of Americans don't eat the recommended daily servings of fruit and vegetables. And even if we try our best to eat more vegetables, the ones we purchase in the produce department don't have the vitamins and minerals that they had 40 or 50 years ago….over the years soils have become severely depleted of these life sustaining nutrients.
• In Department of Agriculture studies of 50,000 persons performed in the 1980's, not one person was getting the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of the 10 essential vitamins found in whole foods...specifically fruits and vegetables. In many cases the RDA of vitamins and minerals from whole food sources as produced today, is insufficient for optimum health. Therefore, is a multi vitamin/mineral nutritional supplement advisable? Yes, highly advisable, but the right kind!

We do need to be taking nutritional supplements but how can we be sure we are making the right choices when choosing nutritional supplements? As mentioned above, companies spend millions in advertising trying to convince us that their vitamins are the best on the market. What can we believe and to whom can we go to for advice? Can we go to our doctor? Most medical schools provide less than 3 hours of education in nutrition.

Some Vitamins Are Hazardous To Your Health

As posted in the Monday, March 20, 2006 Wall Street Journal article by Tara Parker-Pope, some vitamins can be hazardous to your health. Most people are not aware that many of the synthetic vitamins, including some of the highly advertised "name brands" are processed in a laboratory at high temperatures, contain petroleum derived chemical solvents, such as ethyl cellulose, coal tar and acetone and are coated with methylene chloride, a carcinogenic material. Rather than being whole food natural vitamin complexes they are fractionated chemicals.....only fractional portions of the whole.

According to Dr. Zoltan P. Rona, M.D., "Although most healthy people will have no obvious side effects from ingesting small amounts of toxins found in cheap (fractionated/synthetic) vitamins, the long term consequences of continuous, daily intakes are potentially dangerous. Over 7% of the population displays sensitivity to these chemicals." Dr. Rona continues to say, "That allergic reactions include fatigue, memory loss, depression and insomnia".

What is a fractionated (synthetic) vitamin?

The following information was taken form an article written by Dr. Ben Kim of Health & Beyond:

"A good example is vitamin C. If you take a look at a variety of vitamin C supplements, you will find that the majority of them contain only ascorbic acid or a compound called Ascorbate, which is a less acidic form of ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid is NOT vitamin C. It represents the outer ring that serves as a protective shell for the entire vitamin C complex, much like an egg shell that serves as a protective covering for the content of an egg." Real vitamin C found in whole foods like fruits and vegetables contain the 8 following components of which ascorbic acid is just one:

• Rutin
• Bioflavonoids (vitamin P)
• Factor K
• Factor J
• Factor P
• Tyrosinase
• Ascorbinogen
• Ascorbic Acid

As you can see, Ascorbic Acid is 1/8 of the whole complex! Hence, vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is “fractionated”. Let's be real clear on this. Ascorbic Acid is not Vitamin C. Ascorbic Acid is Ascorbic Acid which is a fraction of the biologically utilizable Vitamin C complex! Common sense should tell us that when you take a "fraction" of something it is not the same as the whole substance. When the "fraction" by itself is obtained from an altogether different source than the original substance simply because "it's the same thing" (translates into –cheaper to produce) and the body can tell the difference! You cannot put into a live organism a dead substance and expect long-term positive results."

However, it must be noted that although one may change their diet and begin eating more fruits, vegetables and other whole food nutrients if a good consistent cardiovascular and exercise program in not incorporated into the plan, overall long-term good health is still compromised. If you are not exercising then start doing so.....get help. Personal trainers are available at most fitness center locations. If budget is a problem, at least get some consultation as to how to begin.....it could just very well save your life not to mention vastly improving your mental and physical vitality and quality of life.

A: Though most vitamins you buy at the pharmacy, supermarket or health food store are labeled as natural, 99% of them are made from fractionated, synthetic vitamins produced in a lab. 9 A Day Plus vitamins are derived from organic fruits and vegetables. Also, 9 A Day Plusprovides you with 9 servings of fruits and vegetables and includes the essential chelated minerals, amino acids, probiotics, fatty acids, enzymes and antioxidants you need for sustained good health.

A: Most major vitamin brands and even those sold in health food stores use synthetic – or fractionated – vitamins that are made in a lab from synthetic sources. These unnatural vitamins are difficult for the body to assimilate. Often these vitamins are not the entire form of the vitamin and therefore do not produce the desired response in the body.

For example, Ascorbic Acid is commonly referred to as Vitamin C but even though manufacturers are allowed by the FDA to call Ascorbic Acid vitamin C it is in fact only part of the vitamin C complex. In order for it to work it must take the rest of the vitamin parts from other supplements or foods you eat to have any real affect at all.

Of course mega doses of vitamin C have been known to demonstrate results in reducing some forms of cancers but these massive quantities can have an adverse affect over the long term. The fact is that for a normal, healthy person taking small RDA recommended amounts of Ascorbic Acid alone probably has very little value to the body.

On the other hand, vitamins from whole food sources such as 9 A Day Plus, are delivered in their entirety and assimilate naturally into the body through the intestinal tract. When you choose a nutritional supplement, choose one made from real whole food...such as herbs, berries, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seed, grains, etc. In other words, put food into your body, NOT CHEMICALS.

A: Essentially, probiotics are "good" bacteria that your digestive system needs to aid in absorption, combat "bad" bacteria and aid in the digestive process. Probiotic means "for life" and eliminating these bacteria from your system can have detrimental effects. The probiotic blend in 9 A Day Plus can combat diseases such as colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, colon cancer and other forms of some cancers. They can help lower cholesterol and support immune functions in the body which means you'll probably be "sick" less.

A: Unfortunately, just eating a normal healthy diet today may not be enough. The fact is that we have extremely active lifestyles and carry a greater amount of stress than our parents did. Also, changes to the food chain, how our food is grown today, have altered the nutritional value of the fruits, vegetables, meats and dairy products we consume.

Modern farming methods tend to remove much of the natural mineral content from the soils and thus they must be replaced by synthetic and petroleum based fertilizers. Also, due to supply and demand pressures and priorities, fruits and vegetables are brought to the market faster, before these foods have been able to fully develop their full nutritional potential.

Highly processed, yet nutritionally questionable foods are everywhere you go, offering convenience, economy and to be honest, some very tasty options. Obesity, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, arthritis, migraine headaches, high cholesterol, skin irritation and auto-immune disease are becoming more and more prevalent.

These are just some of the reason that almost everyone should be taking some sort of supplement to round out their diet. Unfortunately, just eating a normal healthy diet today may not be enough. The fact is that we have extremely active lifestyles and carry a greater amount of stress than our parents did. Also, changes to the food chain, how our food is grown today, have altered the nutritional value of the fruits, vegetables, meats and dairy products we consume.

A: In order for minerals to be absorbed into the body they must be bound to an amino acid. The process is called chelation and without it you would not be able to get the full value of the minerals you ingest.

Due to their low cost and high mineral content, most manufacturers use poorly absorbed mineral salts (carbonates, sulfates, etc.) in vitamin/mineral supplements. These are not chelates and must undergo complex digestive processes, resulting in low absorption and bioavailability. This low absorption rate also can lead to uncomfortable side effects, such as constipation and indigestion.

Unlike mineral salts, minerals found in foods are bound to amino acids. Amino acids act as carriers, delivering these minerals to the intestinal tract. Albion's Mineral Amino Acid Chelates (used exclusively in 9 A Day Plus) are minerals that are patently bonded to amino acids, just like the minerals found in real foods. Their patented process actually makes the mineral compounds smaller to allow for better absorption.

These minerals are then absorbed intact, without having to undergo the many digestive processes of mineral salts, resulting in superior absorption and bio-availability. They are also better tolerated, thus preventing the negative effects seen with mineral salts.

A: 9 A Day Plus contains all the essential vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, essential enzymes, probiotics and antioxidants that most adults require for a healthy lifestyle. One serving of 9 A Day Plus is like getting the equivalent of 9 servings of fruits and vegetables. However, it is not recommended for young children. If you have specific medical condition that requires a special diet you should check with your doctor before beginning any vitamin or supplement regimentation.

A: The answer to that is yes and no! 9 A Day Plus is more expensive per box than some commercial brands. Although costs of supplements can vary greatly depending on what you buy and where you buy it, you must look at the long term benefits to determine the cost value of any product you buy.

In the world of business, financial experts always talk about the ROI or return on investment, to determine the worth of a product or service. In the world of health and nutrition we refer to the ROI – return on investment! That's because you actually absorb and use more of what you ingest when you take a natural, whole food supplement so therefore you may actually be saving money by taking 9 A Day Plus.

A: You really should not have to be. The simple rule of thumb is this: If it looks like a chemical, it was made in a laboratory and it isn't from whole foods. If it looks like a food (cranberry, soy, carrot) than it's, well…. A whole food!

When you read the label on the box of 9 A Day Plus you not only see everything that you could possibly need in a nutritional supplement but notice also that the ingredients are from organic vegetable and fruit sources like acerola cherry (vitamin C), carrots (vitamin A), cranberries (Omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids) and grapes (antioxidants). In addition, 9 A Day Plus contains the right probiotic blend (probiotics are dietary supplements containing beneficial bacteria or yeasts) to ensure proper digestion and aid in cancer prevention and prevention of bowel disease.

If your vitamin label has words like magnesium oxide; dicalcium phosphat; di-alpha tocopheryl acetate; ferrous fumarate; croscarmellose sodium; potassium chloride; calcium panthenate; pyridoxine hydrochloride; hypromelose; polyethelene glycol; manganese sulfate; pytonadione and cyanocobalamin than your taking useless synthetic vitamins and you should probably order a box of 9 A Day Plus today.

A: No. Take some in the morning at breakfast and some with your lunch. By taking nine capsules everyday with meals, you get nine servings of fruits and vegetables without the water, fiber and sugar. You get 100% of the Recommended Daily Allowance of the important B-12 vitamin complex, a premium blend of organic enzymes that aid in absorption, the same amount of calcium found in a glass of milk, the all important Omega 3's, 6's and 9's and so much more. This is especially balanced, nutritious meals every day.

A: 9 A Day Plus is a complete whole food supplementation regimen. One serving is the equivalent of 9 servings of fruits and vegetables plus the other necessary enzymes, amino acids, minerals and antioxidants you need. Combined with a sensible diet you really shouldn't need anything else to support an active, healthy lifestyle.

A: According to the Wikipedia encyclopedia, an antioxidant is a molecule capable of slowing or preventing the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals, which start chain reactions that damage cells. Antioxidants terminate these chain reactions by removing free radical intermediates, and inhibit other oxidation reactions by being oxidized themselves. As a result, antioxidants are often reducing agents. In a nutshell, an antioxidant is something that helps slow the aging process and fights disease. 9 A Day Plus is high in antioxidants that promote good health.

A: Enzymes are fundamental to all life. They are in every living thing. They are needed for every chemical reaction that occurs in the body. Without enzymes no biological activity would occur. They catalyze and regulate nearly all biochemical reactions that occur within the human body.

There are literally hundreds of thousands of enzymes active in human metabolism. They move your muscles, stimulate your nerves, make your heart beat, keep you breathing, and allow you to think. Our bodies cannot exist without enzymes. Every organ, every tissue, and all the 100 trillion cells in our body depend upon the reaction of enzymes and their energy factor. Nutrition cannot be explained without describing the part that enzymes play.

When we eat raw foods the enzymes in the food are activated by heat and moisture in the mouth. Once active, these enzymes digest a significant portion of our food and make it small enough to pass through the villi (small projections found in the small intestines) and into the blood. Metabolic enzymes found in the blood then take the digested 45 known nutrients and build them into muscles, nerves, bones, blood, lungs, and various glands. Every cell in the body depends on certain enzymes. Each enzyme has a specific function in the body.

There is a connection between the strength of our immune system and our enzyme level. The more enzymes we have, the stronger our immune system will be and the healthier and stronger we will be. Obese individuals have been found to have a deficiency in the enzyme lipase. Lipase is found in most raw foods. Enzymes can also contribute to lowering your cholesterol.

A: Simply stated nutrition is: The body's ability to consume the 45 known nutrients in their proper amounts; digest these nutrients; absorb these nutrients; carry these nutrients into the cells; metabolize these nutrients; and eliminate the waste. To accomplish all of these functions is a tough job.

The list of the 45 known nutrients includes: Carbohydrates, 9 Amino Acids, Water Lipids (fats), 13 Vitamin Proteins and 19 Minerals. Every organ, every tissue, and all the 100 trillion cells in our body depend upon the consumption of these nutrients. Eating foods containing these elements (along with their enzymes) in their proper amounts will normally ensure good nutrition. Enzymes are responsible for digestion, absorption, transporting, metabolizing, and eliminating the waste of these nutrients. That is really what nutrition boils down to.

A: Yes! In fact, it makes a lot of sense since 9 A Day Plus comes from natural whole food sources, and the baby will be the recipient of the nutrients that are transported. This goes for women who are breast feeding also.