This is a topic that I have heard discussed frequently, do you need a multivitamin? Aren’t they just creating expensive urine?
You likely have heard that as well, for me I choose to take a multivitamin. I like the idea of taking something so simple to make sure that my nutritional blind spots are covered. There are days that I don’t eat exactly what I should, there are days that are more stressful than others. There are days that my belly is upset and I don’t absorb everything I am eating, so the simple thing for me to do to ensure I am getting what I need is to take a multivitamin.
If you don’t feel that same way, that’s completely cool.
Here is what I look for in a multivitamin.
How many servings do I need to take every day?
Some multivitamins require you to take 1 or 2 per day, which for me is completely acceptable, but some of them out there may require many more capsules per day. Just be sure to read the label to see how many you need to take to get a proper serving. It will be written right on top of the label.
How many servings are in this bottle?
This is a simple one, how long will this bottle of multivitamins last me. I like to keep things simple and replenish my stock of multivitamins monthly. BUt some may last you months! Be sure to check as some of these vitamins may go bad on you over a long period of time. ( look for brown or yellowish spots, and a nasty smell, those are signs the product you have is likely gone bad)
Are the ingredients in this product active?
Vitamins and minerals have different absorption rates, along with various jobs inside the body. For me I look for the most biologically active versions of vitamins that I can. In particular i am looking for:
B12 to be in the form of Methylcobalamin, adenosylcobalamin. I stay away from cyanocobalamin if I can
Folate to be in the form of Methylfolate,or folinic acid. I stay away from Folic Acid in general ( because of a gene mutation I have called MTHFR)
B6 to be in its biologically active form called pyridoxal 5'-phosphate or P5P.
Other B vitamins to be in their active form like Riboflavin, niacin and others.
My minerals are in the best absorbable form. In particular I look for the type of Magnesium and the type of Calcium. I like these to be in Glycinate form if at all possible
For me I like a multivitamin that does NOT have iron. I choose this because I have no issues with regulating iron and get plenty from my diet. If you are inflamed, you may want to adhere to this, but if you have anemia, iron inside your multi vitamin may help you.
I like at least 1000IU of vitamin D to be inside my multi vitamin. (want to learn more about Vitamin D, read this Blog)
And last on my nutrients list is does this product have trace minerals to help fill in my nutritional gap. Nutrients like molybdenum, selenium, iodine, chromium are all very helpful for your body in trace amounts.
I look at are these vitamins in a capsule or a tablet.
This is personal preference, for me I like capsules better than tablets. But that is mainly because I suck swallowing pills, so capsules seem to me much easier.
Lastly, I look for an assurance.
An assurance that the product actually has what the label says in it. The supplement industry can be like the wild west, you don’t really know what you’re going to get. Which is why I trust Professionally Branded Products that go through quality assurance testing for each batch. After all, I feel that Quality outweighs quantity when it comes to Supplements.
Here’s the 2 I recommend to many Clients
Twice Daily Multi
One of the best Multi Vitamins out there in a convenient 2 capsule per day serving
The Phyto Multi Family
One of my Favorites. Awesome Vitamin and Mineral support for your individual Needs.
There you have it, that’s what I look for when Taking and recommending a Multi Vitamin.
Have a wonderful day!
MK