| Vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin D, | | | | Daily Allowance. For most people, a typical |
| and vitamin E. Should you take one of each or | | | | multivitamin is sufficient. Reputable |
| a one-a-day multivitamin? That's a question | | | | manufacturers of multivitamin supplements |
| which causes much confusion for the average | | | | include Twinlab, Solgar, Country Life, |
| consumer. Most people should be taking a | | | | Nature's Best, and Natrol to name just a few. |
| multivitamin each and every day to ensure | | | | There are also specialty formulas out there |
| optimum health and to strengthen the immune | | | | specifically tailored for men, women, |
| system against colds, viruses, and various | | | | children, seniors, athletes and bodybuilders. |
| other common ailments. Some studies show that | | | | Bodybuilders and athletes deplete the vitamin |
| vitamins may help prevent certain diseases | | | | and mineral stores in their body's through |
| including heart disease, osteoporosis, and | | | | strenuous exercise and weight lifting. These |
| maybe even certain cancers. There have also | | | | vital nutrients need to be replaced for peak |
| been published reports showing that people | | | | optimal performance. |
| who lack certain vitamins and minerals in | | | | |
| their diets tend to age faster. More and more | | | | Additional Tips: |
| evidence suggests that multivitamins are a | | | | |
| good bet for most people. You should check | | | | Not all multivitamins are created equal. If |
| with your doctor first if you have any | | | | you're unhappy with your current multi, find |
| pre-existing conditions or any specific | | | | a formula you truly like. Multivitamins |
| needs. | | | | come in capsules, tabs, and even liquid |
| | | | formulas. If you have trouble swallowing |
| Ideally, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients | | | | capsules or tablets, you may want to give the |
| should come from a well balanced diet. | | | | liquid formulas a try. If a multivitamin |
| However, the reality is that most of us | | | | upsets your stomach, try taking it with food. |
| aren't eating enough of the right foods. The | | | | This usually helps. Do not take more than is |
| American Cancer Society suggests eating five | | | | recommended on the package. Most formulas |
| or more servings of fruit and vegetables | | | | call for "one-a-day". Calcium is especially |
| every day to help prevent cancer over a | | | | important for women. Try and choose a formula |
| lifetime. To prevent diabetes, the American | | | | with 100% of the RDA Recommended Daily |
| Diabetes Association suggests including fish | | | | Allowance of calcium in each serving. While |
| in your diet 2-3 times a week. Most people | | | | iron is essential to the human body, too much |
| are falling way short of these nutritional | | | | iron for men can be toxic and can potentially |
| goals due to hectic lifestyles, poor eating | | | | lead to heart disease, cancer, arthritis, |
| habits, weight loss diets, and junk food. If | | | | diabetes, and liver disease. Most vitamin |
| you are one of those people who might not eat | | | | manufacturers make an "iron free" formula |
| right every single day, a multivitamin should | | | | specifically for men. Try and find a formula |
| be included in your diet as insurance and can | | | | that contains less than 9 milligrams of iron |
| help you get the essential vitamins and | | | | which is the amount experts suggest should |
| minerals your body needs. | | | | not be exceeded. Try not to buy "cheap" |
| | | | vitamins from close-out or dollar stores. |
| Who else should take a multivitamin? | | | | They tend to be of less quality than more |
| | | | trusted brands and may even be past their |
| Most people will benefit from a daily | | | | expiration dates. |
| multivitamin, particularly pregnant women, | | | | |
| people over the age of 50, dieters, | | | | Precautions: |
| vegetarians, and smokers. Smokers especially | | | | |
| need their antioxidants. Cigarette smoke | | | | Pregnant women should always consult their |
| contain dangerous compounds called "free | | | | primary physician before undertaking any |
| radicals". These "free radicals" react with | | | | vitamin or supplement program. Severe |
| cells causing problems and abnormalities. | | | | vitamin deficiencies require medical |
| Antioxidants can reduce their negative | | | | attention and should not be treated with |
| effects and greatly decrease the damage | | | | dietary supplements. Various medications |
| already caused by them. A good multivitamin | | | | have the potential of interacting with your |
| should contain as many of the following | | | | multivitamins. Again, please consult your |
| vitamins and minerals as possible: vitamin E, | | | | doctor if you are taking any medication for a |
| vitamin C, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, and | | | | pre-existing condition. |
| vitamin B6, zinc, selenium, and copper. | | | | |
| | | | Remember, a multivitamin is no substitute for |
| Which multivitamin should you choose? | | | | a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition. |
| | | | Find a good multivitamin that is right for |
| When choosing a multivitamin, look at the | | | | you, eat right, exercise often, don't smoke, |
| label and choose one that has nutrient levels | | | | visit the doctor at least once a year and |
| at or close to 100% of the (RDA) Recommended | | | | stay well. |