You might find this interesting.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...3?tag=pop.art5

"The six best supplements you've never heard of: these secret weapons can help balance your hormones, keep your heart healthy, detoxify your body, lift your mood, boost your energy and maybe even improve your love life! .."

I had always heard from doctors that A,C,E, were the top vitamins and Selenium was the top mineral. This is due to cancer prevention. Calcium, Magnesium and D are very important...perhaps moreso for women. This is to prevent osteoporosis primarily. Omega 3 Fatty Acids and CoQ10 are high on the list...having to do with heart disease prevention. Most, if not all, of these supplements have dual benefits...but my impression from doctors and such magazines as Prevention, is that these are the bare bones "biggies" for those who want to take the top producers. Personally, I think we should take a lot more than this...but this might be a simple list to consider.

Side notes:
I personally really like Centrum Silver and do feel like I have gotten some benefit from this multivitamin. It seems to have a really good mixture of vitamins and minerals. I think people hesitate to take a tablet like this if they are not age 50 (or older), but if they are a mature adult it shouldn't be a problem (one can check with their Dr. or pharmacist). There have been many posts here about how the medications taken for health issues and even stress can cause depletions, so taking a little extra of a vitamin or mineral is very unlikely to hurt you and may in fact be helpful.

Re:
Inositol Hexaniacinate
POWER BENEFIT Improves cholesterol profile.

A compound made of two vitamins in the B family (niacin and inositol), this is considered the best-tolerated form of niacin supplement. Also known as vitamin [B.sub.3], niacin is a natural agent for lowering cholesterol levels.

QUESTIONS:I wonder how much you need to take of this? Similarily, would taking moderate amounts of Inositol and Niacin bring some results w/ reference to lowering LDL levels?

5-HTP

POWER BENEFIT Relieves depression, anxiety, and insomnia; enhances mood; may ease migraines and promote weight loss.

A derivative of the amino acid tryptophan, this nutrient is converted into serotonin, the "feel good" neurotransmitter....aThere's also evidence that the supplement decreases carbohydrate cravings.

Safety concerns have lingered regarding 5-HTP since 1989, when contamination of a related supplement, L-tryptophan, led to its removal from the market. It was reintroduced in 1996."I believe that the current manufacturing process for tryptophan is safe," Canfield says.

QUESTIONS: No possible side effects for this? Are people REALLY losing weight with this? Anyone here taking this product??? Also, is this product to be taken at night only?

Here is info. about possible drug interactions:
http://altmedicine.about.com/od/drug...ons/p/5HTP.htm

Thank you for a very interesting article!!!

There is some evidence coming to light, since that article was written that high dose selenium may contribute to diabetes type II.

http://diabetes.webmd.com/news/20070...-diabetes-risk

so the Upper Limit should be lowered for certain risk groups, depending on dietary intake.

More studies are needed about this, but I think it is prudent not to go above 100mcg/day.

Selenium is also important for conversion of thyroid hormone in the tissues to T3.

While I know your "heart" and intentions are in a helpful place,Roseblue, the title of that
article is somewhat misleading.

Right now based on testing for the population in general, the two most ignored things that
appear low in people are 1) magnesium (up to 70% are low in this), and Vit D (projected
figures are 50% for this).

The B-complex including B12 follows closely after those two.
Just taking "some herbs" usually does not restore health, to many people.

Following B-complex, is zinc. Many drug therapies deplete zinc and vegetarians can
be low in zinc too. (low zinc reduces immunity and makes infections more likely)

Thank you both for very interesting reviews.