Take a trip down aisles of your favourite supermarket and you’re sure to see the hordes of nutritional supplements fighting tooth and nail for your attention. Some come in fun shapes. Some are tasty and gummy (and probably spiked with sugar). And some promise all the nutrients you need in one tablet, while others might include probiotics or natural herbs. They’re all different in some ways and the same in others. But one thing is certain—not all multivitamins are created equal.
Whether or not a dietary supplement is right for you has a lot to do with the vitamins, minerals, and other phytonutrients it contains. Take a look below at the essential nutrients your multivitamin should have:
- Vitamin A
Helps to maintain a strong heart, immune function, and eye and lung health.
- Vitamin C
Essential to maintaining healthy veins, muscles, tendons, bones, teeth, and skin.
- Vitamin B12
Helps to keep nerve and blood cells healthy.
- Vitamin D3
Supports the absorption of other essential nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, and phosphate.
- Vitamin E
A powerful antioxidant that protects your cells from oxidative stress and contributes to beautiful, healthy skin.
- Biotin
Necessary to convert certain nutrients into energy, while supporting skin and hair health.
- Iodine
Crucial for the normal production of thyroid hormones that help regulate metabolism, growth, reproduction, and protein synthesis.
- Zinc
An important mineral that supports proper immune defense and helps cell growth and division.
- Magnesium
Needed for over 300 biochemical reactions in the body, and also offers healthy muscle and immune function support.
- Coenzyme Q10
An important antioxidant not found in many multivitamins, helps in the production of cellular energy.
The ratio of nutrients is also important to consider when choosing a supplement. It’s tempting to pick and choose specific nutrients, but one nutrient may be affected by another. For instance, calcium and vitamin D work better together. You need enough of one for the other to be used correctly in the body. The relationship between nutrients can be complex. A well-designed multivitamin and mineral supplement is formulated with these complexities in mind to provide you the right balance of nutrients.
Better Health Begins with Better Nutrition
Adding a well-designed multivitamin to a varied diet will help you build a foundation to support vibrant, long-term health. It’s not always easy, but it’s more than worth it. Why? Because health is the greatest gift we’ve been given.
Always make sure to consult your physician about what supplements may be best for you.
About the Writer
Born and raised in Utah, Taylor Pulver grew up fishing, camping, and hiking his way through the Wasatch Range. Now, he lives in Salt Lake City as a writer, gardener, and avid reader of fantasy and science fiction novels.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
