Nowadays, it seems that we all begin taking multivitamins before we are even born. Many expecting mothers will take prenatal vitamins as it has been proven to help prevent certain birth defects such as spina bifida. We then continue consuming more vitamins as children. I remember taking my favorite Flintstones vitamins every single day and I would love biting the head off of Barney Rubble before devouring this tasty little treat! Although many of the children’s multivitamins contain a lot of sugar, there are several sugar-free versions that taste great. If you’re concerned about the sugar content, make sure to read the ingredients carefully before buying a multivitamin for your kids.
As growing adults, we take vitamins for our deficiencies which vary between men and women along with differences in our age. Some of the most common needs for supplementing with a multivitamin include key vitamins like C and D along with minerals such as iron, zinc, magnesium, potassium and calcium.
Your diet plays a huge role in the level of vitamins and minerals you’re getting. There are so many great health benefits of eating fresh fruits and vegetables especially the ones that are colorful with vibrant reds, oranges, purples and dark greens. The phytochemicals contained in these superfoods are excellent for fighting cancer and preventing other ailments.
Although I personally believe in eating a balanced diet and getting the majority of your nutrients through all-natural nutrient dense whole foods, I also understand that most of the foods we eat today are actually denatured to some degree and tend to lack in the strength of their nutrients which is due to farming practices where different pesticides, herbicides, insecticides and fungicides are used in the process of raising crops. For example, apples are made to look nice and shiny by adding wax directly to the peel to coat it and make it look better cosmetically. Sometimes you will slice an apple open and inside you will find brown spots deep in the core which is evidence of the preservation process. Adding wax and other substances to the outside of produce is a shame since fresh fruit and vegetable peels contain many nutrients that are very beneficial to your health.
If your nutrition plan is lacking in many of the important fruits, vegetables and other foods that supply key vitamins and minerals, then it’s essential to include a multivitamin and mineral supplement to your diet. There are so many choices for multivitamins on the market today and many come in several different forms including tablets, capsules, chewables and even liquids.
Which Multivitamin To Choose?
There are many high quality multivitamins to choose from and it’s important to do a little research along with reading testimonials before buying a specific product. Some very popular ones include:
Garden of Life: They have an extensive product line and this organization is regarded as one of the best nutritional supplement companies on the market. By combining the best of nature and science, the Garden of Life brand offers a path to healthy living with premium products that are supported by education and innovation.
Nature’s Way: They are a manufacturer of complete vitamin, mineral and herbal products. In 1968, Tom Murdock, the eventual founder of Nature’s Way®, desperately searched for a way to improve his wife’s health and this is how the company started.
Centrum: They have a full line of different vitamins for men, women and kids. From special needs like support for vision and heart health, Centrum is one of the leaders in multivitamin products.
One A Day: All One A Day® products are complete multivitamins, but each one is uniquely formulated to support different needs. They have been selling vitamins for over 70 years and are one of the most popular multivitamins on the market.
GNC: General Nutrition Corporation (GNC) offers a very popular multivitamin product for both men and women. They have their “Mega Men” and “Women’s Ultra Mega” line which are used by many active people who workout and need extra support for key vitamins and minerals. They have several different options for these products which provide support for things like joint health, sports and one for individuals over the age of 50.
Optimum Nutrition: This product line is very popular with serious bodybuilders and other gym-goers who lead active lives. One of their most popular products is called “Opti-Men” which includes over 75 active ingredients in 4 blends specifically designed to support the nutrient needs of active men. The popular formulation for women is called “Opti-Women”. These products include high potency vitamins and minerals to help individuals recover from hard workouts and to support their active lifestyles.
When making your final decision on a multivitamin, it’s important to review several different products and read the nutritional breakdown closely if you’re buying a product for a specific need like joint health, sports or general health. It’s also important to be aware of the overall price of these items since some multivitamins can be rather expensive. Wholesale outlets like Costco and Sam’s Club offer great deals on bulk supplements and it’s always a safe bet to find the best deals on multivitamins at these stores.
