Minerals supplements have been a part of supplementing diets since ancient times. In fact, the earliest known use of minerals was to fortify soldiers in battles. While we now know more about the benefits of various minerals and nutrients, many still debate the effects that these can have on one’s health.
Two of the most popular supplements are multi-vitamins and mineral water. Multi-vitamins are a series of nutritional products that are formulated in differing strengths to cover a wide range of possible deficiencies. They come in different brands and in many different flavors. While multi-vitamins tend to be of high quality, the price per bottle can be very high. If you are looking for a cheap way to supplement your diet with minerals or other nutrients, look for multi-vitamins that have a low price per bottle and consider buying several at once to save money.
Mineral supplements on the other hand are designed to provide a person with enough of the nutrients they need to maintain health. They are not formulated to cover a pre-determined list of deficiencies. For example, while some minerals may be important to someone with diabetes, iron deficiencies are not a pre-determined issue for someone with osteoporosis. Therefore, it is impossible to state whether a mineral supplement will help a person with either end of the spectrum. However, a person with a deficiency would be wise to buy a multi-vitamin that lists iron as one of its contributors rather than assuming that iron will naturally contribute to their intake through diet or supplements.
When comparing various minerals in terms of quality and cost, you should look to find out if there are any sub-categories that would make them more valuable to specific groups. For example, there are differences between minerals for people who are lactose intolerant. If you belong to this group, then it is highly recommended to check the ingredients label on any multi-vitamin or multi-mineral supplement you purchase. Often times, these products will include an appropriate low-calorie or low-sugar option that will meet the daily needs of those with lactose intolerance without compromising the quality of your daily intake of vitamins.
Another way of comparing minerals contained supplements is to look at the makeup of the supplements themselves. Many will list the percentage of essential minerals contained within the product. However, some do not. In order for you to be certain that you are getting the right minerals contained in your multi-vitamin, you need to read the label of ingredients very carefully.
The third aspect to consider when comparing dietary supplements is price. While the mineral contents may be similar, the costs associated with the product can vary widely. Some of the most commonly sold products will cost the consumer considerably more than others. This is due to the fact that they are highly processed and contain inferior quality ingredients. On the flip side, there are many extremely effective products that can cost less than some of the most costly, but higher quality products on the market.
In the end, comparing dietary supplement use will likely focus on how you feel after you take the recommended dosage. If you feel stronger after taking a multi-vitamin containing trace minerals, then you probably will not notice a significant difference. However, if you feel weaker or have enhanced energy after you’ve taken the product, you may notice a significant difference. In order to determine if the minerals contained in a particular product are enough to make a difference in your health, you need to take them for the recommended length of time to determine if there are noticeable differences.
Lastly, it is important to note that many of the mineral contents in supplements have not been proven or scientifically tested. Some of the claims made on the label claims have not been supported by published studies. For this reason, you should take the time to find a supplement that contains a full range of minerals, such as those found in DSHEA, MOSF, and OSHA. These supplements are proven to be effective and have been used in clinical trials and studies for years. By choosing a product that contains minerals with proven scientific backing, you can feel confident that you are taking a truly effective product that has not only been backed by science, but that you are taking a clinically proven product.