Why Should I Take A Multivitamin?

A multivitamin is a dietary supplement that contains the vitamins and minerals necessary for proper nutrition. Multivitamins are good for people that do not have a well-balanced diet and cannot receive these nutrients from food. People who are older, take certain medications or have digestive issues should pay close attention to the ingredients in supplements. All multivitamins are not created equal. Patients should look for a few key traits before taking a dietary supplement.

What are the traits of a high-quality supplement?

Finding the right dietary supplement can be challenging. Dietary supplements come in pill, capsule, powder and other forms. There are databases available with information about different ingredients, uses, and benefits. The following tips will help consumers make educated choices when buying and taking supplements.

1. Read the label

Any reputable dietary supplement should have a supplements facts and a nutrition facts label. The supplements facts label details the names of the dietary ingredients. This label should also list the source of the dietary ingredient. Some of the factors listed on the supplements label are total fat, saturated fat, total calories, sodium, protein, dietary fibers, and sugar. Dietary ingredients are listed based on the daily value for each item. Vitamins and minerals are combined and listed separately.

2. Check for additives

Manufacturers may use additives to preserve the product, especially if the product is made in pill or capsule form. These fillers or binders may also add color to the product or make the product easier to ingest. If the manufacturer includes a proprietary blend of ingredients in the product, then each ingredient should be listed. The ingredients should be listed in descending order based on the weight of each ingredient in the supplement. Magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide, and citric acid are fillers commonly used in supplements. Fillers can be natural or synthetic.

3. Pharmaceutical-grade supplements

Pharmaceutical-grade supplements adhere to stricter guidelines than over-the-counter (OTC) supplements. These products must meet 99% purity. Pharmaceutical-grade supplements cannot contain any additives, fillers, or binders. Due to these standards, pharmaceutical-grade supplements have a high level of bioavailability.

Talk to your doc

Before using a supplement, patients should consult with a medical professional. Due to the variety of supplements on the market and the lack of regulation, patients should let a doctor know about the supplements they’re interested in taking. A medical professional will be able to provide information about the benefits and dangers of a particular product.