Choosing a Multi-Vitamin
A single supplement that includes everything you need… seems like a simple concept, right? Well nowadays, picking one out is no simple task. Stroll into any drugstore or supermarket and you will find an entire aisle of health supplements. There will be dozens of brands and hundreds of ingredients to choose from. To make matters worse, dosage recommendations are always changing. So how can you know which one is right for you? This article will give you a few pointers.
Today’s Vitamins
Not too long ago, it was easier to choose… simply because there were less products being offered. There were the good ol’ Flintstone Vitamins for kids and Centrum supplements for adults. But with increased demand came an increase in brand names. In the last decade alone, we have seen new supplement manufacturers sprout up on what seems like a daily basis!
But don’t let all this clutter confuse you. Assuming the manufacturers are truthful with their labels, the bottom line is a milligram of vitamin C, D, E, or any other basic vitamin is the same no matter who makes it. Knowing this simplifies the process, because it means you can pay attention to what they contain rather than what brand name is on the bottle.
However, that’s not to say you should discount brand names completely. There are many fly-by-night companies out there, so of course you want to choose those that stand behind their products.
New Ingredients
There’s an old Chinese proverb that says “May you live in interesting times.” Well, today’s medical discoveries certainly are fascinating. However at the same time, they can be confusing. Turn on the news or open any magazine and you’re bound to hear about some new medical breakthrough. There’s always a new antioxidant or vitamin the “experts” are recommending. It’s nearly an impossible task to stay on top of all the latest recommendations.
Unfortunately, there’s no simple answer to this dilemma. Humans don’t know everything; our medical knowledge is always evolving. So although impossible to follow every fad, you should pay attention to the discoveries which show the most promise, like alpha lipoic acid. The same can be said about CoQ10 benefits. When it comes to wrinkles, copper peptide skin care is another ingredient which is getting a lot of press lately. Vitamin E skin treatment is also a popular choice, but don’t forget about the supplement form, which is said to support the health of your heart.
Making Your Selection
In a nutshell, look for a supplement which contains the most ingredients. That way you can get the most bang for your buck. Also, choose a brand that can be trusted. It doesn’t mean the most expensive one, just a manufacturer that has been around the block. Last but not least, talk to your doctor first. Vitamins and nutrients can have adverse side effects for certain medical conditions, so it’s best to check with a physician before you make your decision.
