How do you know if you are getting the most bang for your buck from your supplements? There are a few things to consider:

• Get alkaline: acidity decreases your body’s ability to absorb the vitamins and minerals from your food and supplements. Processed cereals, flours, sugar, coffee, tea and alcohol are acidifying whereas vegetables are alkalizing. By being alkaline you will improve the absorption of vitamins.
• Amino acid chelate form are best for absorption: Check the labels for the words glycinate, citrate or chelate to ensure that you are taking the most absorbable form.
• Capsules vs. tablets: capsules are easily broken down in the stomach but if tablets are made by a reputable company they are just as absorbable as capsules.
• Avoid fillers: Look for all supplements to be free of binders, fillers, artificial colorings, preservatives, yeast, sugar, starch, hydrogenated oils and other additives.
• Herbal remedies: look for the word “standardized” which means the certain amount of active ingredients is guaranteed.
• Watch the medication: if you are taking medication it should be taken at least two hours away from most vitamins.
• Timing is very important: The form of vitamin is important but also the time the vitamin is taken. Vitamin and minerals should be taken with food, but herbal supplements are best taken away from food.