Supplementing with Multiple Vitamins & Minerals

Taking a multiple vitamin can be a good idea, if your diet isn’t balanced. Supplementing with a multiple vitamin and mineral supplement can act somewhat as an insurance if your not sure your everything you need from your meals. However, the best way to get micronutrients is through the foods you eat. Reading the labels of multi’s is just as important as reading food labels. If the label is loaded with a bunch of ingredients that are completely foreign to you, they just as well could be foreign to your body. Be aware that certain vitamins and minerals can block the absorption of the other and high amounts can be toxic. If you’re taking medications or have a medical condition talk to your doctor first before taking a multi.

Are you not quite getting the right amounts of vitamins and minerals through your diet? Perhaps you may need to supplement with a multiple vitamin and mineral supplement. Your body breaks down dietary micronutrients through the foods you eat and uses them to help supply your cells that enable your body to maintain homeostasis. Overtime, if your body lacks in microminerals and vitamins, this can cause an imbalance to your system that can create a micronutrient deficit resulting in health problems. Adding a multiple vitamin and mineral supplement can be helpful and may provide insurance. Look for a multi that is food based and contains a balance. Make sure the label doesn’t look as if it were written for someone who has a PHD in Science. For instance, if the label says the ingredients are, FD & C yellow # 6aluminum lake, polyethylene glycol, EDTA, parabens etc… I would pass. In addition, look for a multi that doesn’t have ridiculously high amounts of vitamins. For example, if the label says it contains 100% of the recommended daily allowance of B vitamins, that’s sufficient not 200%. Your body is not likely to absorb all the vitamins and minerals in one sitting. In other words, more is not necessarily better and can be harmful. If you have a medical condition, consult with your doctor before taking a multi, especially if you’re taking medications. For instance, if you’re on a blood thinner (coumadin) vitamin K can work against your medication by contributing to blood clotting. Also, some minerals can block the absorption of the other and high amounts of these supplements can be toxic. For example, calcium and iron may be best taken separately to insure your body absorbs it and high amounts of vitamin A can be toxic especially to pregnant women. If your wondering what is the best brand to buy, it’s certainly not the plastic bottle of Cosco’ Valpak Multivitamin and Mineral 3000 Plus Ginseng. Go to a natural foods store such as Clark’s Nutritional Centers (if your in Rancho Mirage, Loma Linda or Riverside area). If not try Henry’s Wholefoods etc… I highly recommend Clark’s because the staff there is very knowledge and they carry reputable brands, organic foods and more.

Ideally, you should be eating a balanced diet that will supply your micronutrient needs. However, if you decide to supplement with a multiple vitamin and mineral look for one that is food based, supplies no more than 100% of the recommended daily amounts of vitamins and minerals and the ingredients are not foreign. Use caution when supplementing. If you have an underlying medical condition or are on medications, talk to your doctor first. Lastly, Your body is an investment account, so make healthy deposits and you will reap a lifetime of good health.