Multivitamins, also known as multiples or simply vitamins, come in many forms such as tablets, capsules, chewable gummies, powders, and liquids. In my opinion, multivitamin tablets are essential for everyone regardless of their health or diet. Our bodies need vitamins and minerals to function properly and efficiently. A healthy and balanced diet is the best way to get the necessary vitamins and minerals our bodies need. However, modern agricultural practices and poor soil quality often lead to a lack of nutrients in food.
Additionally, many of us lead hectic lifestyles that involve fast food or easily prepared meals that are usually low in nutrients and high in fats and oils that can clog the arteries. Taking a multivitamin supplement can help ensure that you get all the necessary vitamins and minerals your body needs. For example, vitamin D3 works together with calcium and magnesium, which cannot be isolated if you are taking a multivitamin. I usually recommend Alive Ultra Potency Multivitamins as it is very comprehensive. Gummy versions of multivitamins often contain higher doses of vitamins than recommended amounts.
Unfortunately, most multivitamins contain synthetic or semisynthetic nutrients, and some use megadoses that can be harmful. Some multivitamins claim to promote heart health, but studies such as the Physicians Health Study II and the Women's Health Study suggest that long-term use of multivitamins does not reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack, or cardiovascular mortality. Gummies may be useful for those who have difficulty swallowing supplements, but they usually contain sugar or sugar alcohols and may not be as consistent in quality due to manufacturing problems. I always recommend “dietary” multivitamins because they contain nutrients that are close enough to their structure in food rather than being synthetic or semi-synthetic. Relying on a multivitamin for something easy to find in food (such as vitamin C) is like taking a step forward and a few steps back from a nutritional point of view.
The body gets its nutrients from food, so why not take multivitamins that look like those found in food or are chemically identical to those found in food? When looking for vitamin tablets once a day, be sure to read the labels carefully as some supplements show 5000% of the recommended daily amounts (RDA) of certain vitamins. It is difficult (if not impossible) to estimate how much A and K you would absorb from your multivitamin as it varies from person to person. The trace elements often included in multivitamins are beneficial for secondary cellular function but should generally be taken in small amounts since an RDV has not been established. In conclusion, taking a multivitamin supplement can help ensure that you get all the necessary vitamins and minerals your body needs. It is important to read labels carefully when selecting a multivitamin supplement as some contain higher doses than recommended amounts. I always recommend “dietary” multivitamins because they contain nutrients that are close enough to their structure in food rather than being synthetic or semi-synthetic.
