Choosing the Right Multivitamin

Everyday we are exposed to a wide variety of foods that contain the vitamins we need to keep balanced and healthy. It seems, however, that despite the availability of good food, many of us are lacking in complete vitamin content. Life can sometimes get in the way and best intentions are often forgotten. The pledge you may have made to eat more greens is left behind and you find yourself eating something that may not be so healthy. So, what to do? Try a multi-vitamin.

Taking a multi-vitamin is one way of getting more of the essentials you need, and while it’s not a complete solution it will certainly aid in your overall intake of vitamins. With the overwhelming amount of choices it may be difficult to choose one that is right for you. Here are a few tips to help you with your choice.

1. Read the bottle. Everything you will need to know is on there, one way or another, and if it isn’t then don’t take it. Make sure it offers 100% of all of these vitamins: B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B12, B6 (minimum 100mg), Vitamins C, D, E, and Folic acid.

2. Investigate the manufacturer. Some products make claims, and then don’t back them up. Search for phrases that have no real meaning, like ‘Energy Packed,’ or ‘Strength Builder,’ and question the evidence given for the claim.

3. Think about your age. As you get older the need for certain vitamins and minerals either increases or decreases. Consult a doctor regarding your needs.

4. Find capsules that use vegetable coating. Some products will use inorganic meat-based products to shell the multivitamin, and they often carry binders and other chemicals that can inhibit the amount of nutrients you digest. Vegetable based capsules are easily digested and don’t bring any harmful ingredients with them.

5. Keep eating well. Multivitamins are a supplement intended to aid you with an already healthy diet. Simply taking a pill and then disregarding your health will do nothing but harm.