I’m sure you all remember the dinosaur flavoured multivitamins you used to take as a child. For some, this formed a lifelong habit. It could be purely a habit of taking it to be “healthy”, or you could be taking it to meet nutritional deficiencies. They’ve also become a staple in the winter months as people look to boost their immunity.
Whatever the reason might be, without a doubt you really need to ensure that the vitamins your taking can actually make a difference and are beneficial to your body. It’s important to remember that while the multivitamin you take can bridge nutritional gaps, it doesn’t necessarily prevent diseases such as heart attacks, strokes or other cardiovascular disorders.
Reasons To Take A Multivitamin
- To supplement a diet or eating programme
- To support age-related deficiencies and needs
- Following a surgery
- To help in recovering from illness or injury
How To Choose A Multivitamin
With so many options available, it can be difficult to choose the right option. You can, of course, ask a salesperson to assist you, or you can follow our guidelines for choosing a multivitamin.
- Look for a verification sticker or seal to determine if they are indeed what the label says it is. If you’re unsure, you can always research the multivitamin to find out more.
- Take a look at the ingredients and how much of your daily value they contain – ideally, you’re looking for 100 percent. However, some tablets would be ridiculously big if they were 100 percent on their own, so make sure that you take the right quantity. Another thing to remember is that taking too many vitamins can be toxic to the body, so make sure to monitor your daily intake.
- Try to find vitamins specifically designed for your age and sex to ensure that it’s able to meet your needs. You can also research the nutrients needed for your age group and set out to compile your own selection – although this can be a costly process.
- Choose a multivitamin that contains essential micronutrients such as zinc, iron, selenium, calcium, thiamine, borate, biotin, pantothenic acid, vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D2 or D3, E and K, niacin, riboflavin, folic acid, iodine, molybdenum, potassium and magnesium.
Consume Nutrient-Rich Foods In Addition To Taking A Multivitamin
Multivitamins alone cannot give you the nutrients you need to keep your body healthy and happy; your diet also needs to meet your daily nutritional needs.
Foods that you should consume include:
- Calcium-rich foods such as low-fat milk, yoghurt and cheese, orange juice, almonds, cereals and plant-based milk with fortified calcium.
- Foods that are rich in fibre, for example, legumes, beans, seeds, nuts, whole grains, oats, vegetables and fruits.
- Potassium-rich foods such as potatoes, beans, legumes, low-fat yoghurt and milk, fruit, fish, pork and lamb.
When Should You Take A Multivitamin?
New studies have found that the time of day doesn’t matter, but it’s recommended that you take it with a meal to prevent an upset stomach. Most people take them in the morning with breakfast. When taking more than one supplement, be sure to research the potential interaction that could take place and plan your intake accordingly.
When it comes to taking supplements, it’s always best to access your needs to determine what you should be taking. If you’re not sure, consult with your doctor or pharmacist about your options.
Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy
Having a great multivitamin is an essential part of a good eating plan. See what else makes up a good eating plan by studying our Specialised Nutrition Course. Find out more here.
