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