Have you ever compared labels in an attempt to figure out which was the best type of multivitamin? Have you ever searched for the ultimate multivitamin with everything in it? Then after you’ve finally selected your vitamin has the U.S. Food & Drug Administration has not evaluated statements about products and health conditions.
A multivitamin can be essential for growth, and your overall well being. If you are not taking a multivitamin then I’m sure you are getting the nutrients in your balanced diet, right? If your not getting the essential nutrients your body needs then you could possible be endangering the health of your whole body.
As a Personal Trainer one of my biggest challenges with my clients is to get the to eat the "right" types of foods, so they can get the right amount of supplements in their body.
Even for me eating a balanced diet can be a real challenge with my sometimes busy and hectic lifestyle. Even when I do eat what’s supposed to be a balanced diet, I have to worry about the food, since processing, storing, or even cooking basic foods can reduce the amount of vitamins and nutrients in it. I believe a good multivitamin can give you the assurance that you are getting all of the good stuff your body needs.
When selecting a good multivitamin make sure you check the label. In these tough economical times its important that you spend your money wisely and be aware of what you are putting into your body by learning how to read what’s on the label.
When you read the label look for a full range of minerals and vitamins. Remember, this is no time to be a cheap skate or select a discontinued multivitamin. Also keep in mind that you don’t have to select the most expensive brand loaded with a bunch of extra super foods. Honestly, when you first select a multivitamin I recommend that you do a little experimenting. Yes! You may have to be a guinea pig, but it will pay off in the end when you’ve found the right supplement that’s best for you.
Furthermore, it can be confusing when selecting a multivitamin especially with all the terms slapped on the label such as Daily Minimum, Daily Value and Recommended Daily Allowance, not to mention the official tables included on the label listing all the vitamins and minerals in and out of the bottle. Okay, I’m going to attempt to explain some of stuff on the label so you can make the right choice for yourself.
The right multivitamin should contain at least meet the Daily Minimum (DM) which is listed on the label of any food supplement you buy. The Daily Minimum varies from infants to adults and includes vitamin A, Thiamin which is Vitamin B, Riboflavin and Niacin, which is also Vitamin B, Vitamin C, D, Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron and Iodine.
The Daily Minimum (DM) is the very least amount of that particular multivitamin that will keep the average person from suffering from vitamin deficiency. The U.S. Recommended Dietary Allowance or (USRDA) also varies between adult and infants. The U.S. Recommended Dietary Allowance contains Vitamin A, C, D, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Iron and Calcium. Finally, some labels have 100% of the Daily Value (DV) which is similar to the U.S. Recommended Dietary Allowance.
The first mystery unraveled regarding multivitamins is that they contain a variable number of essential and or non-essential nutrients.
Regardless of which multivitamin you select, it’s primary purpose is to provide a convenient way to take a variety of supplemental nutrients from a single product. I’m sure you noticed the word convenient in bold writing.
One of the main reasons I switched to taking 1 multivitamin pill or what’s sometimes referred to as a “one-per-day” multiple verses a group of pills is that the 1 multivitamin is a lot easier to swallow. One of my biggest pet peeves is attempting to swallow a bunch of horse pills with a large glass of H2O, (yikes!) it’s enough to make you gag!
If you’ve ever had a pill stuck in your craw, then I’m sure you would appreciate the convenience and ease of swallowing 1 pill verses 7 or 8 pills. Even though I found the pill better, some people prefer capsules claiming that they are easier to swallow. And remember, water (H20) is the best way to wash down your multivitamin stay away from coffee and tea. Caffeine drinks reduce the absorption of nutrients by approximately 45%.
Another benefit to taking one or two multivitamins is the smell. Have you ever opened up a bottle of vitamins and smelled them? Especially after they have gotten moist, sat at room temperature, and have bled through the tablets and become discolored? The whole bottle reeks and if you dare swallow it you can taste every bit of it! What’s worse is that some manufactures have come up with a chewable multivitamin loaded with sweeteners, and yes I’ve tasted them, (Nasty! Nasty!)
The only real draw back I’ve found in taking 1 multivitamin pill is that it may not provide the sufficient amount of nutrients you need. Some people may want to take larger amounts of specific nutrients based upon their individual health concerns. Despite my multivitamin being advertised as a “one-per-day multiple” you actually have to take two a day.
Remember you are the guinea pig! If oil-based liquid multivitamins in a capsule upset your stomach, stick with the dry or buffered pills. If you hate taking big pills, try the powders or liquid multivitamins.
Another debate regarding multivitamins is the time-release issue. Some people believe that releasing vitamins and minerals slowly into the body over a period of time is better than releasing them all at once.
Since research on this issue is not complete, my recommendation is that you select a standard multivitamin, usually when you see “time-release” it normally equates to shelling out more money. Plus some doctors are not convinced that ingesting chemicals all day is good for the body. Honestly, the jury is still out on the time-release issue.
My recommendation is to take you multivitamin with foods for best absorption. If you are taking other medications consult with your physician. Some prescription drugs including oral contraceptives actually deplete the body of some of its vital nutrients.
If you’ve found this opinion helpful and would like more information about the right multivitamin for you, or you’d like to be referred to a nutritionist in your area, write American Association of Nutritional Consultants, 1641 E. Sunset Rd, B-117, Las Vegas, Nevada 89119 or a member of the American Dietician’s Association (members are listed with an R.D. after their names under “dieticians” in your yellow pages.
Another well written opinion on multivitamin is found at the following URL: http://www.epinions.com/content_60023148164. Check out her review titled, “Multiple Reasons To Take Multiple Vitamins” it’s extremely helpful!
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