In nutrition, there is no such thing as a panacea. Taking individual vitamins or other nutrients that you believe you lack is seldom, if ever, the best approach to a nutrition problem. Very often, quite low levels of vitamins and minerals, if properly assembled to interact with one another for the maximum synergistic effect, are found to be all that one needs. An overall balanced nutritional intake that includes all the essential vitamins, minerals, amino acids and key micro-nutrients is the essential first step.
No vitamin, mineral or protein works alone. It requires the right combination of other factors to make them work. For example, one of the essential amino acids, methionine, cannot be metabolized when Vitamin B6 is deficient. Protein is not utilized in the absence of Vitamin A. Vitamin A cannot be absorbed without unsaturated fat. Zinc deficiency inhibits the release of Vitamin A stored in the liver. Calcium cannot be absorbed without Vitamin D and on and on.
Virtually all of the nutrients essential to our good health and well-being also require the presence of other nutrients for their maximum benefits.
As you can see, it is virtually impossible to determine what, if any, special nutritional needs you may have until you take this important first step. To make sure you are getting everything you need, we recommend daily use of Lewis Laboratories' RDA. It is a very pleasant-tasting powder which mixes well with water, juice, milk or whatever liquid you prefer. Most important, however, is that 30g (three level tablespoons) per day will provide you with 100% or more of the recommended daily intake of all vitamins, minerals and essential amino acids (proteins). It is also a treasure house of trace metals and minerals, so essential to act as catalysts in metabolic processes.
The importance of a good complete nutritional base, such as that provided by Lewis Laboratories' RDA, can be seen by looking at one nutritional element – calcium. While the same point can be made about any other single nutrient, we have selected calcium because it is an almost universal deficiency and is particularly difficult to supplement in adequate amounts.
The average person tends not to absorb calcium very well from food – perhaps no more than 10-20% of that found in the foods consumed. There are many reasons why this is so. For instance, a meal high in fats can form insoluble calcium soaps causing the calcium to pass through the system unabsorbed. Even the calcium in certain vegetables may be inhibited from release by oxalates found naturally in such foods as rhubarb, kale, spinach and broccoli or phytates in grains and cereals. Vitamins A and D are absolutely essential to the absorption and use of calcium. That is why milk and practically all calcium supplements are fortified with these two vitamins. In addition, calcium requires an acid environment for absorption – a special problem for older people who tend to have a lower production of digestive acids.
There is more. The amino acids leucine, arginine and serine are needed for the formation of calcium and amino acid complexes. Magnesium and phosphorus must be present in an appropriate ratio. Without all these and other factors, you may lose a lot of the benefit of the calcium you are ingesting.
There is no flashing red light to warn you of a calcium deficiency. In fact, it is usually not detectable until irreversible damage has already been done. Even in extreme cases, the calcium level in the blood may appear to be normal. Why? The body has a calcium bank in the form of our teeth and bones. The need for calcium in the body to control muscular contractions (including the heart), blood clotting, transmission of nerve impulses and other requirements, take priority. In short, a series of bio-chemical reactions is triggered and a check is written on your calcium bank. Your bones have been robbed to supply your blood.
The typical American diet supplies a meager 450-550 milligrams – far short of the 1000 milligrams recommended by the current RDI. Most nutritional experts now believe 1000-1500 milligrams are closer to what is really needed daily. Yet, even if you adjusted your diet so that you took in enough calcium, the probability is that most of this passes through your body unabsorbed.
While each daily portion of Lewis Laboratories' RDA contains 100% of the daily calcium requirement, RDA also contains all the other factors associated with the efficient utilization of calcium. It is a complete nutritional food and naturally stimulates the digestive acids to overcome the antacid of calcium carbonate.
Most nutritional authorities agree that proper supplementation to a prudent diet is the best protection against most of today's common killers, as well as being the key to a happier and more vibrant life. No matter what your needs may be, Lewis Laboratories' RDA is the proper cornerstone for a sound nutritional program. It is a complete supplement – ideal for the entire family and suitable for vegetarians.