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