Should I Take a Multivitamin? What are the Best Multivitamins?
Posted: Wednesday, April 18, 2007
by Ante Zunich
Arnold Supplements
Vitamin A , vitamin B , vitamin C , vitamin D , and vitamin E . Should you take one of each or a one - a - day multivitamin ? That’s a question which causes much confusion for the average consumer . Most people should be taking a multivitamin each and every day to ensure optimum health and to strengthen the immune system against colds , viruses , and various other common ailments . Some studies show that vitamins may help prevent certain diseases including heart disease , osteoporosis , and maybe even certain cancers . There have also been published reports showing that people who lack certain vitamins and minerals in their diets tend to age faster . More and more evidence suggests that multivitamins are a good bet for most people . You should check with your doctor first if you have any pre - existing conditions or any specific needs .
Who else should take a multivitamin ?
Most people will benefit from a daily multivitamin , particularly pregnant women , people over the age of 50 , dieters , vegetarians , and smokers . Smokers especially need their antioxidants . Cigarette smoke contains dangerous compounds called “free radicals" . These “free radicals" react with cells causing problems and abnormalities . Antioxidants can reduce their negative effects and greatly decrease the damage already caused by them . A good multivitamin should contain as many of the following vitamins and minerals as possible : vitamin E , vitamin C , vitamin B2 , vitamin B3 , and vitamin B6 , zinc , selenium , and copper .
Which multivitamin should you choose ?
When choosing a multivitamin , look at the label and choose one that has nutrient levels at or close to 100 % of the Recommended Daily Allowance ( RDA ). For most people , a typical multivitamin is sufficient . Reputable manufacturers of multivitamin supplements include Twinlab , Solgar , Country Life , Nature’s Best , and Natrol to name just a few . There are also specialty formulas out there specifically tailored for men , women , children , seniors , athletes and bodybuilders . Bodybuilders and athletes deplete the vitamin and mineral stores in their body through strenuous exercise and weight lifting . These vital nutrients need to be replaced for peak optimal performance .
Additional Tips :
- Not all multivitamins are created equal . If you’re unhappy with your current multi , find a formula you truly like .
- Multivitamins come in capsules , tabs , and even liquid formulas . If you have trouble swallowing capsules or tablets , you may want to give the liquid formulas a try .
- If a multivitamin upsets your stomach , try taking it with food . This usually helps .
- Do not take more than is recommended on the package . Most formulas call for “one - a - day" .
- Calcium is especially important for women . Try and choose a formula with 100 % of the RDA Recommended Daily Allowance of calcium in each serving .
- While iron is essential to the human body , too much iron for men can be toxic and can potentially lead to heart disease , cancer , arthritis , diabetes , and liver disease . Most vitamin manufacturers make an “iron free" formula specifically for men . Try and find a formula that contains less than 9 milligrams of iron which is the amount experts suggest should not be exceeded .
- Try not to buy “cheap" vitamins from close - out or dollar stores . They tend to be of less quality than more trusted brands and may even be past their expiration dates .
- Pregnant women should always consult their primary physician before undertaking any vitamin or supplement program .
- Severe vitamin deficiencies require medical attention and should not be treated with dietary supplements .
- Various medications have the potential of interacting with your multivitamins . Again , please consult your doctor if you are taking any medication for a pre - existing condition .
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Top-level comments on this article: (5 total)this is alot of bull
good info
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, What i was seeking is a stright forward response. In short, I was looking for a materix where a direct comperison is made between all the Multi-vitamins that is out there. Based on which, I would be looking for a recommendation or option as to what is number one and why? What is number two and WHY? Moreover, number one is the best, explain the reasons and how it will work over time. Also, what would happen to a person who is using Multi-Vitamins when he/she decides to stop this process? Wil he/She loss pwoer / energy and if so, how will this impact his/her life and to what extent. Beside, Are there not an alteternative methods to Multi-Vitamins? Surley, you would want human to stick to natural approach to life and stop the marketing and selling process that manufacturer are evialing at the cost of human beings life! In short, we are being used as animals would be used in a labrotories! No one would admit it but it is the truth. I wish there was out there a committee who would really look at the basic fabric of turth in the medical field and find out or compare what is right and wrong for human beings. I am tired of seeing advertisement direct and indirect that leads us to no where and it is most of the time bi-est! Please do not no longer insult our intellegence and our ability to determine what is right or wrong. When we look up to medical certified personal, it is for their specialization and not for our ignornes of what is right or wrong...despite this we find those people tend to sell their sole to the highest biders in the interest of getting rich by offering their professional expertise to public that is not aligned of what is best of interest of humans but manufactureres...I beleive strongly that some one out there will hear read this message and will pick the flag for fighting for what is right and not wrong. Thanks. Regards, Sam A.
This article was informative.but i have been to the doctor had all kinds of blood test's thought i was going through menopause cause i have loss 50% of my hair,i take a multi-vitamin and try to eat right........but it;s still coming out,i am getting depressed because of this problem!!!Could someone with same problem respond and give me advice.my doctor does not seem to care much.....help DLI am also losing hair related to menopause. Do a google search on "hair loss menopause" and you will find alot of information. Also try googling "vitamin deficiency hair loss". Hair loss home remedies is good to search too.
Good luckyes ,you are doing right by taken a mult-vitamin,but now you need to try a steady form of shampoo and conditioner ,and let the conditioner set in your hair for at least eight min. ,then rinse out,or how often you wash your hair
A friend told me about the Dr Max Powers MultiVitamin several years ago, and said I had to try it. I was very skeptical. I did, and since then have felt better than I did before taking it. With the off the shelf drug store stuff, that I had been taking, I was always felling run down, and getting sick. My wife started taking the Dr Max Powers MultiVitamin also, and has quit taking the women's nutritional products from other companies. I do not know what Dr. Max does that they do not, but truly does seem to be a better product.
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