A high-quality and effective multivitamin that will address all of your health needs can be hard to find. But it doesn’t have to be! Read on to find out why.
We should all eat a well-balanced diet that addresses all of our vitamin and nutrition needs. Yet, our diets often fall short of this. This is where multivitamins come in as they address the nutritional gap in your diet by supplementing your body with minerals that are omitted from foods.
According to the National Institute of Health, over one-third of Americans take multivitamins to boost their dietary needs. Even so, finding the best multivitamin for you is not a walk in the park. The fact that you have to consider one type of multivitamin over others or the vitamin and nutrient composition makes the selection process one that is truly daunting.
But worry not! We’ve got you covered! Here is how to choose the best multivitamin:
Consider the purpose of the multivitamin
A multivitamin is an excellent option for anyone who is deficient in certain vitamins, It replenishes the body of vitamins A, B, and C as well as nutrients like calcium and iron. Before settling on a multivitamin, it is important to consult your nutritionist or physician so as to not only choose the right supplement but also get the right dosage.
These are the different types of multivitamins:
As multivitamins vary in their constituents, taking your nutritional needs into consideration is the best thing to do. This is where a physician or nutritionist comes in as they will offer a multivitamin that is tailor-made for you.
Some common multivitamin options include:
- Vitamin D
For building strong bones, muscles, and teeth
- Vitamin B12
For maintaining healthy nerves and blood cells
- Omega-3 Fish Oil
For lowering blood pressure and reducing triglycerides, stroke and, heart disease
As such, you should choose a multivitamin that will address your condition or needs. There are also multivitamins that are meant for men, women, or children as they adapt to specific body types and hormones. If you wish to go for a multivitamin that addresses your needs based on your gender or status, do not hesitate to do so.
Take note of the Daily Value (DV)
This is the level of vitamins and nutrients that multivitamin comprises in relation to a 2000-calorie diet. It is best to choose a multivitamin that is as close to one hundred percent as possible (for the vitamins and minerals that are listed in it).
For instance, if your typical diet lacks fruits and vegetables, which are the best sources of vitamins A, C, and E, then a multivitamin with a one hundred percent daily value will enable you to reach the recommended intake in these vitamins areas.
According to scientific research as well as authoritative sites like Wilson Supplements, multivitamins are not recommended for an already balanced diet. Overdoing it with excessive supplements and nutrients may cause toxicity in the body. Multivitamins are only recommended only when you are deficient in vitamins and nutrients.
Determine the whole food components
The answer to this is simple- you should always go for whole-food multivitamins. This is because the body always thrives when it consumes whole-food products. While these vitamins may be costlier than their synthetic counterparts, they are well worth the extra bucks. They are not only high-quality but are also easily absorbed in the body.
Check out for the industry seal
Your multivitamin should always pass industry standards. To prove this, you should always check for an industry seal from the following places:
- U.S. Pharmacopoeia (USP)
- NSF International
- ConsumerLab.com
- UL. Vitamins
If any of these organizations approve the multivitamin, then it is safe to consume as it has been tested for the contamination of bacteria, arsenic, and lead. These tests determine whether the multivitamin will dissolve properly in your body.
Also, determine whether the multivitamin meets the current FDA standards by checking the Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP) label. This label shows that the product has undergone quality production and accurate labeling.
If your multivitamin lacks the aforementioned labels, toss it immediately as you will not know what you are consuming. It goes without saying that all multivitamins should be subjected to (and pass) quality assurance standards.
Bottom Line
Your choice of multivitamins should not be your primary source of essential nutrients and vitamins. Instead, it should only play a supportive role in your health routine. Usually, your body is at its best when it receives a well-rounded, nutritious diet.
As such, making a habit of eating whole-foods is the best way to give your body what it needs. However, when you fall short (which should be in very rare cases), supplements will always come to your rescue.
