* LVI VSItNyG lHeE A L T H Y
Top 5 benefits of sublingual vitamins vs. pill form Making a change may improve your overall health. STORY: DR. SHERRY KELISHADI
O * In my years as a pharmacist, I’ve learned two important truths: people can’t stand taking pills and often don’t realize a simple alternative may be available.
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ngoing medical science and research continually open our eyes to many opportunities for improving health, maximizing quality of life, and even adding years through proper nutrition. Unfortunately, for many of us, keeping pace with evolving science about what’s best for our health can be overwhelming. We are constantly faced with new information and decisions regarding what is best. Each person has different nutritional needs based on genetics, body analysis, eating habits, and exercise patterns (or lack thereof). Some of us suffer from vitamin or mineral deficiencies as well, which can negatively affect our health. I remember as a kid when my daily vitamin regimen was a chewable multivitamin and maybe a vitamin C pill when I had a flu or cold. Today, I see people roaming the lengthy aisle of vitamins, supplements, minerals, and herbs not only contemplating the abundant options to add to their daily intake, but also the dosage and which brand to choose. But wait! What about which form of vitamin to take: pill or sublingual? Newer to the vitamin world, sublingual supplements, in either liquid or tablet form, are made to be consumed by placing them under the tongue
for absorption through the mucosal membrane that lines the mouth. In my years as a pharmacist, I’ve learned two important truths: people can’t stand taking pills and often don’t realize a simple alternative may be available. With that in mind, here are five reasons to look at replacing your pill vitamins, medications, and supplements with the sublingual form: BETTER ABSORBENCY – We now know there are different factors affecting vitamin and mineral absorbency. Some minerals are best absorbed when accompanied by other vitamins, such as calcium aided by vitamins A and D. Some supplements are best absorbed with food. But sublingual vitamins are altogether more effective than those in pill form due to a superior absorption rate into the body both in speed and efficacy. The Mayo Clinic reports an inability to absorb vitamin B12 from the intestinal tract can cause a type of anemia called pernicious anemia. FASTER RESULTS – The effects of sublingual vitamins are felt quicker and more completely due to liquid being absorbed immediately into the bloodstream rather than having to be processed through digestion first. In fact, due to a decreased